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

Branson, MO … Tough times usually bring out the best of people, particularly in the Ozarks.  One of the major local charities that is totally supported by the community, Christian Action Ministries, fights hunger in Taney County with two food pantries and a mobile outreach.

Traditionally the community supports CAM with donations of food, cash, and volunteer time.  Food donations come in from a myriad of sources:  organizations that conduct food drives, individuals wanting to help their neighbors, theaters offering free admittance in exchange for food, and church groups collecting food on a regular basis.  Cash contributions also come from similar sources:  churches, individuals, businesses,  theaters, and foundation grants.  Pantry volunteers are comprised of individuals, as well as group efforts from various churches and organizations.

Board chairman Jack Burke told us that they are often asked whether it is better to donate food, cash, or time.  “The first thing we tell them is that we need their prayers, a donations that anyone can make in support of our efforts.  We then explain that we appreciate and value whatever they can do, be it donations of food, cash, or time.”

Burke went on to point out that financial contributions offer perhaps the most value.  “We all know that it will cost about $3 to purchase a box of cereal to donate to CAM.  Yet, if that same $3 were donated in cash, we could buy at least 16 boxes of cereal at  our price of 18 cents for a box of cereal.  Aside from necessary food purchases, cash donations also offset the normal cost of operational expenses, such as rent, utilities, gasoline and upkeep for our van, and a small, but necessary, payroll.”

CAM is also appreciative of people who volunteer their time and talents.  Volunteers normally help maintain the pantry inventory and stocking, and interview clients needing assistance.  However, CAM is also looking for people who can help with the computers, website management, design of flyers and brochures, outbound telephone calls to supporters, and much more.

Anyone wishing to donate cash, food, or time, can call CAM’s executive director Pat Davis at 334-1157 or visit the CAM website at www.christianactionministries.org

Branson, MO…Two new members have been added to the board of directors for Christian Action Ministries (CAM) for 2011.  Cynthia Carson and Janet Akers were both inducted on to the board at a January meeting.  Cynthia is a member of the management team at Sight & Sound Theatres.  Janet is an account executive at Corporate Business Systems.

Along with Carson and Akers, the CAM board currently consists of chairman Jack Burke, vice chairman Jones Arjes,  treasurer Dave Hoy, executive director Pat Davis, past chairman Larry Johnson, Tim Mahoney, Ben Dutton, and Dan Lehning.

“We are blessed to have Cynthia and Janet join our team,” said Burke.  “Our board members donate significant amounts of their time, along with their creativity,  talent, and passion to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, to help maintain CAM as a viable resource for the needy in Taney County.”

CAM operates food pantries in both Branson and  Forsyth, along with a mobile outreach to the eastern Taney County communities of Bradleyville, Protem, and Reuter.  On average, over 700 families a month receive assistance from CAM , which is totally supported by the community.

People needing assistance can come to the Branson location at 610 South 6th Street, Suite 102 in the lower level, or the Forsyth location at 10275 East Highway 76.  The Branson food pantry is open Monday through Friday from Noon until 4 PM.  The Forsyth location is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 AM until 1 PM.  Although no one is turned away, people should bring photo identification for all adults, a social security card for all family members, and proof of Taney County residency.

Anyone wishing to donate cash, food, or time, can call Pat Davis at 334-1157 or visit the CAM website at www.christianactionministries.org

For Immediate Release

January 10th, 2011

Contact:  Lisa Martin – Director of Sales & Marketing

Branson Variety Theater

417-336-9494, ext. 226

Hollywood’s Biggest Christmas Show Comes to Branson!

Come and join Santa, his Hollywood Elves, and the best singers and dancers in town for Branson’s number one all-singing, all-dancing Hollywood Christmas Show.

Created by the same fabulous Directors that brought you years of Branson’s biggest holiday show- “Spirit of Christmas”.

Hollywood’s Christmas Spectacular – An American holiday tradition

So come along as we take you on a magical sleigh ride to our winter wonderland of holiday fun and festive cheer with all of your favorite classic holiday songs, dazzling scenery, gorgeous costumes and the highest kicking chorus girls this side of the North Pole.

Don’t miss this holiday tribute to the legendary film “White Christmas”, and sit back and enjoy the classic moments from some of Hollywood’s greatest Christmas movies brought to life on stage in this wonderful show.

Hollywood’s Christmas Spectacular is the perfect show for the whole family!

Celebrate Christmas in all its glory with Hollywood’s Christmas Spectacular!

It’s All Hollywood, It’s All Christmas!

Branson Variety Theater 2701 W Hwy 76 Branson, MO 65616

www.BransonVarietyTheater.com

Cooking 101:Healthy Choices– Big Cedar Lodge wants to help you keep your New Year’s Resolution by offering a new class called  Cooking 101:Heathly Choices. This workshop is offered every Saturday in January from 1:00pm-2:30pm and  will focus on variety of healthy but gourmet treats for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and even dessert.  Get new tricks from a professional chef and receive a Cooking 101 tool from the Chef’s Kit, recipe and tip book, and a complimentary appetizer for Worman House or Devil’s Pool Restaurant. Price is $25 per person or $40 per couple. For more information call 1-800-225-6343.

THE TRACK FAMILY FUN PARKS PRESENTS HEAVY METAL HIGH RISE, A STATE OF THE ART STEEL AND CONCRETE GO-KART TRACK REACHING OVER FOUR STORIES:

OTHER PROJECTS ROUND OUT MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR UPGRADES IN TWO-YEAR PLAN

Branson Attraction Goes Sky High to Celebrate 30 Years

Branson, Missouri – – After 30 years of providing family entertainment to local residents and area visitors, The Track Family Fun Parks is celebrating with a reinvestment of almost three million dollars in its facilities over the next two years.  Construction is well underway in a two-facility capital upgrade, some of which will be completed in the spring of 2011.  Track 4 (3345 W. 76 Country Blvd.) will feature Heavy Metal High Rise, while Track 3 (2505 W. 76 Country Blvd.) will introduce a new classic go-kart track, an expanded building and other exciting family-themed elements.  Guests will still be able to experience all the fun with no gate admission charge.

“We could not be more thrilled to be reinvesting in our parks,” said Larry Schmitt, President/Co-Owner of The Track Family Fun Parks.  “We have not built a new major attraction at our facilities since 2002.  Not only will these capital projects have a positive impact on our business, but we also feel like this reinvestment on 76 Country Boulevard will be a benefit for the entire community.  This is an exciting time to offer something new in Branson,” Schmitt added.

Heavy Metal High Rise at Track 4 will be the latest addition to The Track’s high-rise family.  The LumberJack at Track 5 and Wild Woody at Track 3 were built in 2001 and 2002, respectively.  The new track’s state of the art steel and concrete construction will be more weather-friendly and will offer a completely different experience than its wooden counterparts.  Heavy Metal High Rise will be 1,200 linear feet long, and it will contain over 200 tons of steel and 700 cubic yards of concrete.  After spiraling up four stories, riders will zoom down a three-tiered slope back to the ground.

DeWitt & Associates, Inc. of Springfield, Missouri is serving as the general contractor on Heavy Metal High Rise.  “From a general contractor’s viewpoint, we are typically involved in constructing very conventional buildings, and a project of this nature with its specialized circular design and distinctive steel structure has made it a rewarding and enjoyable project to be a part of. We certainly feel it will become a unique part of the community and provide fun for families for many years to come,” says Randall Ganz, President of DeWitt & Associates.  All ages can enjoy this massive track, as there will be 27 twin-engine, single-rider and 12 double-rider go-karts.  The height requirements will be 58″ for drivers and 36″ for passengers.  Heavy Metal High Rise will be further amped up with a rock ‘n’ roll theme, complete with the chance to take the “stage” for a rocking photo opportunity.

In September 2010, The Track Family Fun Parks held an email contest that allowed customers to help name the new high-rise go-kart track at Track 4.  Roger Royal of Bella Vista, AR was the only person of several hundred entries who submitted the name “Heavy Metal High Rise”.  After evaluating the list of finalists both internally and through outside focus groups, Roger’s suggestion was selected.  The consensus was that “Heavy Metal High Rise” sounds electrifying and highlights the contrast between this track’s unique steel construction and the existing wooden high-rise tracks.  Roger and his family typically visit Branson 5-6 times per year, and are frequent guests of The Track.  Upon hearing the news of his track name being selected, he exclaimed, “My sons are going to think I am really cool for this!”

The Track 3 facility will also see big changes in 2011.  Its new classic track will be unlike any other at The Track facilities.  It will be much more of a road course style with tighter and higher banked curves.  There will be more turns, as well as more elevation changes throughout the riding experience.  The capacity will also be much greater than the current classic track at that location, having a total of 20 single-rider and 10 double-rider go-karts.  The height requirements will remain the same as the other classic tracks at 54″ for drivers and 36″ for passengers.  In addition to the new track, the main guest services building will expand by 3,000 square feet, giving guests more than 5,500 total square feet of arcade games and indoor activities.

These are just some of the changes to come at Track 3 over the next two years.  “As we enter our 30-year anniversary, we are assessing our available land and resources as well as the latest trends in family entertainment as we consider what developments and additions will provide our guests with the most enhanced experiences,” Schmitt comments.  “We hope that Branson visitors and residents will be just as thrilled as we are with the results of the final plan.”

Contact Craig Wescott at (417) 334-1612 ext. 13 or visit www.bransontracks.com for more information.  On the website, follow the progress of the construction on The Track’s new network of live interactive webcams.  You can also view the construction pictures and keep up to date on facebook or on The Track’s website blog.  To view a teaser trailer highlighting Heavy Metal High Rise, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk0ILAy5KZc.

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About The Track Family Fun Parks:

The Track Family Fun Parks started entertaining local and visiting families in 1981.  The four Branson, Missouri locations offer high-rise and classic go-kart tracks for all ages, bumper boats/cars, laser tag, mini golf, kids’ rides, arcades, and more with no gate admission charge.

(Branson, Missouri)  Season 4 2009 America’s Got Talent Finalist, Voices of Glory, will premier their new CD release with a special media event and concert at 8 PM on January 7 at the new Icon Theater 417-336-4266 on West Highway 76 in Branson.  Special guest performers will include well known country and gospel artists Barbara Fairchild, Roy Morris and America’s Favorite One-Handed Pianist, Brian Arnold.  Gospel singers Kevin Shorey, Mitch Kiersey, Marcey Wall, GMA Award Winners Heart to Heart, Karen Berka and Brenda McClintock and Branson Story teller Aunt Jessie, will be joining the Voices of Glory for the evening’s celebration.

The Voices of Glory, consisting of family members Michael 18, Avery 14 and Nadia 11, were inspired to sing by their love of family, faith and perseverance through a tragedy which transcended to a miracle when their mother Felicia Cole was injured in a serious car accident and left in a coma for eight months.

In 2007, the sibling’s mom, Felicia Cole, was on her way home from a class she was attending, and was hit head on and severely injured by a drunk driver. In response to the devastating news, the children decided they would sing at their mother’s bedside believing that she would recognize their voices. Day after day, they sang uplifting songs with determination, never losing faith that she would recover.

Their prayers were answered and Felicia came out of the coma after eight months and began rehabilitation towards her recovery. Their mom’s recovery prompted Voices of Glory to reach out to encourage others by singing at nursing homes, hospitals, and church gatherings.

Encouragement from their father Michael Sr and many friends, for Voices of Glory to continue singing paid off in a huge way when they decided to compete in the America’s Got Talent TV Show and ended up the number 2 singing group and  made the Top 5 out of over 100,000 contestants.  The national TV show set the stage for Voices of Glory to further distinguish themselves with their unique harmonies, humble personalities and wholesomeness that was noted by the judges, the host and the millions of voters who helped them secure a coveted spot in the Top 5.

Since that time, they have performed across the country, twice before a crowd of 18,000 at the World Famous Madison Square Garden, show cased at the 2010 Inspirational County Music Awards Nashville, TN and the 2010 GMA Dove Awards Nashville, TN.  They have also appeared on many local and National TV shows and have been featured in numerous National publications.

Now their fans and friends rejoice with their brand new self-titled CD project “Vog-Voices of Glory” released on the Christian label through the Tate Music Group of Mustang, Ok.   Singing a variety of styles of music, highlights include the reverent first single “Holy, Holy, Holy,” along with “Your Voice,” “You Untie My Wings,” “Father Who Cares,” and others. The new project also includes those songs that set them apart on America’s Got Talent’s stage including the Whitney Houston’s classic “The Greatest Love of All,” and every patriot’s favorite “God Bless America.” Those in the know will appreciate their reinvention of the ever inspiring Elton John composition, “Believe.”

The Voices of Glory Media and CD Release Party will be open to the public.  A donation $10.00 will be collected at the door, with a portion of the donation being donated to Loaves and Fishes, an organization in Branson that feeds the less fortunate. The first 200 person making a donation will also receive a download copy of the new Voices of Glory CD. To order a CD in advance please call 1-800-771-2147 or simply shop on line voicesofglory2020.com

Loaves & Fishes fundraiser on this Friday, January 7th at 8 pm at the Icon Theater on the Strip (76 & 165). The address is 3307 W. Highway 76 and is located across the street from Ruby Tuesday’s.   This concert features the musical trio Voices of Glory.  If you have not heard these three teens, you will see why they were in the Top 5 of the 2009 season of America’s Got Talent. Entertainment also provided by Brian Arnold, America’s Favorite One Handed pianist, and Karen Berka, host of Branson Radio Live.

I hope you will forward this flier and help get the word out.  We need your support to cover the $3,000 cost of the paper products needed to serve our neighbors in need at Loaves & Fishes this year.  See you Friday night! Blessings, Sue Head

Yeller Dog Productions is proud to announce that Ozarks Public Television will be broadcasting their “Christmas On The Trail” program this coming Thursday night, December 23rd, at 8:00 PM.  The cowboy-themed Christmas special will air on both OPT affiliates, KOZK, based in Springfield, Missouri, and KOZJ, based in Joplin, Missouri.

Christmas on the Trail was initially written and produced as a stage performance, at The Shepherd of the Hills Historic Homestead’s Pavilion Theatre, as part of Branson’s premier Christmas attraction, The Trail of Lights.  The production celebrates the true meaning of Christmas, and all of the traditions generations have held dear, from the vantage point of the American Cowboy, and is currently in its seventh year of performances at The Shepherd of the Hills.  After six years of performances, delighting tens of thousands of fans, the show’s creator and producer, Jim Grady, decided that it was time to stop just singing about cowboys, trails, horses, campfires, and Christmas out on the range, and actually head out to a ranch, with cowboys, trails, horses, campfires, Longhorn cattle, and an authentic 1876 chuckwagon, and a document a true cowboy Christmas celebration out on the range!  At that point, Grady’s Yeller Dog Productions began planning with Frank Gamble, founder and owner of One Stone Media, to undertake the incredibly ambitious mission of producing a DVD of this beloved, unique Christmas experience.

Shot in high-definition, the project was not just intended to video a re-creation of what has become a beloved Christmas show to countless families, featuring rock-solid performances from some of the finest musicians and cowboy poets anywhere, but to also capture additional footage, shot over a period of four months, which would take the viewer to a different place in time, and actually tell the story conveyed in the lyrics and poems, visually – much like a music video would.  The other challenge was to find the right balance of traditional Christmas classics, both popular and sacred, and the unique lyrics and harmonies, as well as poems, which capture the romance and iconic imagery of the American Cowboy.  The ultimate goal was simply to allow families across the country to come together each Christmas, and for a couple of hours be transported to sit around this Yuletide campfire, and join the cast, as they look at this most treasured of all American holidays, through the eyes of one of her most revered and honored American heroes – The Cowboy!

OPT’s Programming and Production Manager, Tom Carter, stated, “We are looking forward to the opportunity to air this program.  It’s really beautiful and put together well.”  Grady said, “We are both excited and grateful for the opportunity Ozarks Public Television has afforded us to share this unique, heartwarming Christmas celebration with the people of Southwest Missouri.  OPT has always provided excellent programming to the people of this region, and we feel that our product is an exceptionally good fit for their stations.  Also, the fact that it will be broadcast in high-definition allows the beautiful scenery and quality of the production to be seen to its fullest effect.”

Thursday’s broadcast, scheduled to last one hour, will actually be a condensed sample of the overall production, which is available on a 3-DVD set, containing over three hours of content, along with a double-CD companion soundtrack.  Copies of the “Christmas On The Trail” set may be obtained at www.cowboychristmasdvd.com or www.yellerdogproductions.com.  The current season of the Christmas On The Trail stage production will continue through the remainder of the Christmas holidays, Mondays through Saturdays, through Saturday, January 1st, at The Shepherd of the Hills Pavilion Theatre, with the exception of Christmas Day.  For further information, including ticket reservations, call 1 – 800 – OLD MATT, or visit www.oldmatt.com.