Press Release

Christian Action Ministries

Contact: Jack Burke, [email protected]

Ozark Generosity

December 2, 2010…The generous spirit of charity in the Ozarks was again evident as Taney County residents participated in the Holiday Food Harvest sponsored by the Board of Realtors and Hometown Radio.  According to Pat Davis, director of the Christian Action Ministries’ Food Pantries in Branson and Forsyth, “The donations were fantastic this year.  CAM Branson received over 5,600 pounds of food, 73 “turkey bucks” towards the purchase of turkeys, and $1,524.08 in cash for food purchases.  Our Forsyth pantry received nearly 3,000 pounds of food and $1,018.16 in cash.  This outpouring from the community will definitely help fill the growing need this winter.  We feel very blessed to be a part of such a giving population here in Taney County.”

CAM Board Chairman Jack Burke went on to add, “We particularly want to thank all the participating grocery stores and the many volunteers that manned the donation stations.   Along with their support throughout the year, this special effort will make a major difference in fighting hunger in our county.”

In order to continue meeting the escalating demand for services, Christian Action Ministries recently moved into a new Branson facility at 610 South Sixth Street, Suite 102.  The food pantry and offices are now located in the lower level of the Faith Community Health Clinic building, with access from Fifth St.  The Forsyth pantry, formerly known as My Neighbor’s Pantry, continues operations on the 76 East in Forsyth on the National Enzyme property.

CAM is hosting an official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for the new Sixth Street Pantry at 9 AM on Tuesday, December 7^th.  The public is invited to join in the festivities and tour the new location, which was made possible through a major donation by Sight & Sound Theatres.

CAM is entirely supported by financial and food donations from the community.  Through November of this year, CAM has assisted an average of more than 700 families seeking food assistance each month.  Approximately one in five are families seeking help for the first time.  CAM provides each family with enough food to prepare nine nutritional meals per person in the family.  On that basis CAM has provided food for over 155,000 meals through the end of November.

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

Freelance journalist/editor Amanda Barke will sign copies of her premiere Christian novel, A Distant Rumble, on Saturday, December 4, at T. Charleston’s Books & Gifts beginning at 9 a.m.  Her book is packed with adventure and romance.

Based in the tropical setting of Hawaii, it recounts the relationship  of three couples in various stages of life:  Protagonist Dezarae is left underground with a life-threatening head injury for three days.  Derek Makoa, her Hawaiian assistant, berates himself for not expressing his love for her when he had the chance.  Thousands of volunteers search for Dezarae and wonder why God would allow such a tragedy.

Barke says, “Whether it is through the tragedy of the first half of the book, or the daily struggles Dezarae faces in the last half, Christians will be reminded that God will never leave us for forsake us.”

Author/editor/illustrator Reta Spears-Stewart will also be signing her book, Remember the Ozark Jubilee, Starring Red Foley.  The coffee-table-sized nostalgic musical history book is replete with interviews and photographs of stars and guests who appeared on the Ozark Jubilee television show such as Rex Allen, Chet Atkins, Brenda Lee, Porter Wagoner, Speedy Haworth, Mel Tillis, Johnny Cash, Pat Boone, square dancers and the show’s producer Si Siman.  The Ozark Jubilee was broadcast nationally and internationally from Springfield from 1955 through 1960.

T. Charleston’s bookstore is located in Branson’s Grand Village at 2800 W. 76 Country Boulevard.

For further information, call (417) 334-7931

The Legend of Kung Fu invites residents of Taney, Stone, Greene and Christian counties in Missouri and Boone County in Arkansas to come see  the show for $10 ($5 with a donation of a non-perishable food item or toy) per ticket.  Proof of residency is required.

Items must be new and in their packages.

Area appreciation begins November 25th and goes through November 30,2010.

You can visit KungFuBranson.com or call 417-335-2396 for more information

Fair-like Setting Highlights Fresh, New Season of Free Family Entertainment

Branson, MO – New adventures, returning favorites and exciting surprises are locked in for Titanic Museum Attraction’s 2011 season.  “Our unique, family-oriented special events follow a monthly schedule and will be held in our outdoor entertainment center by the ship’s bow,”  announces John Joslyn, Titanic owner..

At press time, scheduled events include:

January 15:  5th Annual Chainsaw Ice Sculptors Challenge

Saturday, January 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  – FREE

Kick off Titanic Museum Attraction’s 2011 season with the suspense-filled Chainsaw Ice Sculptors Challenge.  Armed with buzzing chainsaws, some of the world’s greatest professional ice carvers will be joined by aspiring amateurs in contests of talent, skill and imagination.  Kids and parents can watch the action up close and marvel at the fantastic creations that emerge from shapeless 250-pound blocks of ice.  Thousands of dollars in prize money are at stake.

February:  Sweetheart Month

Marriage Proposals * Engagements * Weddings * Vow Renewals

Celebrate yours on the Grand Staircase February 1 thru 28

Every February,  Titanic Museum Attraction goes overboard to help visitors celebrate their own love stories, complete with everything their hearts desire.  From surprise proposals and wedding engagements to awesome weddings and heart-warming marriage-vow renewals officiated by Titanic’s Captain Smith.  All ceremonies can be held on the magnificent Grand Staircase, an exact replica of the original and just like the one Rose and Jack ascended in James Cameron’s  TITANIC.  Advance reservations are required, so book yours today.  For more information call 800-381-7670 or visit titanicbranson.com.

March:  5th Annual Irish Celebration – March 1 thru 31

Hardworking, skilled Irish laborers helped build Titanic in Belfast.  In fact, many Irish men and women served as crew on her maiden voyage.  As a passenger group, the Irish outnumbered all other nationalities on board.  During the month of March the museum attraction honors the Irish – the spirited, irrepressible, hardworking men and women from the Emerald Isle.  Come prepared to be entertained with the music,  song and folklore that accompanied these courageous souls on their voyage to America.  T’is a grand time and your family will be havin’ here at Titanic.  Be sure to be wearin’ somethin’ green.

March 18 – April 10, 2011  New for Spring – Rachel Wilson’s Fanciful, Life-Sized Hedgewood Sculptures.

On exhibit daily from March 18 thru April 10, 2011 – FREE

Named as one of the top ten up and coming artists for 2011, Rachel Wilson returns to Titanic Branson with a brand new herd of amazing creatures she has created from fallen hedge branches.  This exclusive spring showing will feature a huge moose as well as elk, magnificent, realistic animals they found grazing quietly on the museum attraction’s grassy knoll.

April 9, 2011   British Motoring Club’s Classic Car Show

Saturday, April 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  – FREE

Gear up for another classic encounter with the magnificent touring machines that have fueled this country’s passion for elegant motoring for decades.  This exclusive Titanic event will give visitors the chance to see rare vintage motor cars, talk to their owners and imagine being behind the wheels of a Jaguar, MGA MGB, Austin-Healey and more.  The Greater Ozarks British Motoring Club’s Classic Car Show is a two-day event.  parking is free and so is the show.

April 9  – 10, 2011  HAM Radio Operators Titanic Tribute

Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10

On the 99th anniversary of Titanic’s maiden voyage, amateur (HAM) radio operators will band together worldwide for a very special broadcast originating from Titanic Museum Attraction.  The event will commemorate the anniversary of the sinking and will honor the two wireless operators, Jack Phillips and Harold Bride, who sent distress signals into the early morning hours of April 15, 1912.  HAM operators from Branson to Belfast, Northern Ireland, will transmit news of the anniversary using a special call sign and signals.  Visitors are invited to witness this live event, which offers a firsthand look at the fragile and primitive nature of communications at sea in 1912.

June 18 -19, 2011  Father’s Day Bass Pro Boat Show

Saturday, June 18, and Sunday, June 19, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  FREE

Hey, dad, this could be your year to sail off in that dream boat you’ve always wanted.  To make it easier, we’ve invited Bass Pro Shops’ Tracker Boat Center to drop anchor in our parking lot and show off some of the newest, fastest,  hottest models on today’s market.  This exclusive Father’s Day event is free and open to the public.  From fishing to pontoon party boats and ski or sport boats, you’ll find whatever floats your boat.  They’ll all be here in the shadow of the grandest boat of all.

July 1 – 31, 2011  Artist Rachel Wilson’s Amazing Hedgewood Sculptures

On exhibit daily from July 1 thru July 31  FREE

We are proud to announce acclaimed Missouri artist, Rachel Wilson, will again exhibit her incredible life-size animal sculptures in Titanic’s outdoor pasture.  Wilson’s work is far from ordinary.  She constructs her large organic statues from fallen hedge branches, shaping them into magnificent free-standing works of art that must be seen to be believed.  Last July, Wilson’s enchanting animals stopped traffic at the corner of Hwy 76 and Gretna Road, creating a memorable public response to one of Titanic’s free events.

September  Church Youth Nights, Midweek Congregations

September 6, 7 and 8;  and 13, 14 and 15, 5 p.m. to closing

For two consecutive weeks, Titanic will belong to local church  youth groups and their pastors.  On scheduled Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings in September, these mid-week gatherings help bring together the area’s religious youth community to celebrate their faith and to remember the nine men of the cloth on board Titanic.  On the dates above, the museum attraction will be closed to the public from 5 p.m. to closing.

The special Church Youth Night rate is $10.50 and includes a 90-minute tour.  Complementary passes are available for youth pastors and leaders.  For more information call 800-381-7670.

October 15, 2011  2nd Annual Titanic Firehouse & Charity Chili Cookoff

Saturday, October 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  FREE

Hey all you chili-heads out there!  Firefighters & Charities from all over the Ozarks will fire up again this year to honor the brave firemen/stokers who stood their ground when Titanic went down.  Join us for our popular, red-hot Titanic Firehouse & Charity Chili Cookoff Saturday, October 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Last year’s competition was on of the most highly attended family events in Titanic’s fire-year history, and this year’s challenge promises to be even hotter.  Everybody’s invited to come early to meet local firefighters and various charity groups watch them prep.  Then sample the delicious hot stuff and be sure to stick around to see who wins.

November/December  Titanic Christmas and Winter Celebration  FREE

Inside and out, Titanic is magical during the winter holidays.  The sights, sounds and joy of the season are sure to hail the arrival of Christmas 2011.  Titanic will join the Branson community November 1 to kick off the 22nd Ozark Mountain Christmas with the official lighting ceremonies.  You’re invited to stop by November thru December for  Titanic’s holiday spirit.  The ship will be aglow.  Come exchange greetings with the jolly Titanic crew or enjoy the glittering lights, the festive decorations, and meet Santa and two of his special  reindeer.  The Titanic Gift Shop will be open every day, including free public access to hundreds of unique Titanic Christmas gift ideas and collectibles.

At this special time of the year, visitors in the tens of thousands make annual pilgrimages to this special community, earning Branson national recognition as one of the top 10 Christmas destinations in America.  Make it yours!

December  Santa and Two Live  Reindeer

Friday, November 25;  Saturday, November 26;  Friday, December 2;  Saturday, December 3;  Friday, December 9;  Saturday, December 10  FREE

Santa Claus is coming to town again with two of his trusty reindeer.  They’ll be here to help Titanic celebrate the holiday season, marking the third year real-live reindeer will prance back to the museum attraction to the delight of kids and their parents.  For three consecutive weekends starting Friday, November 26th, these regal creatures will be tethered out front by Titanic’s iceberg, ready to greet visitors, welcome gentle petting and pose for photos with little girls and boys.  You’ll find special Christmas reindeer souvenirs and other holiday gifts inside the Titanic Gift Shop.

The World’s Largest TITANIC Museum Attraction is Branson’s #1 year-round family destination.  In operation since April 2006, it has welcomed aboard more than 3 million guests.  The 17,000-square-foot ship-shaped structure – built half-scale to the original Titanic – towers more than 100 feet above its anchored position on Highway 76.  A 90-minute (optional audio) self-guided tour covers 20 galleries on two decks displaying more than 400 priceless artifacts that once belonged to Titanic passengers or crew.

Cedar Bay Entertainment own and operates Titanic Museum Attractions in both Branson, Missouri, and Pigeon Forge,  Tennessee.  A privately owned-and-operated entertainment and development company, Cedar Bay is headquartered in Branson, Missouri, site of its first Titanic Museum Attraction.

Join us each Saturday in November for “Cooking 101 with the Chef”.  Each Cooking 101 experience will  include a snack display for your enjoyment during the Big Cedar Chef Demonstration.  You’ll go home with new tools and tricks from a professional chef plus a Cooking 101 Apron, a recipe and tip book for your home collection, and a Free Appetizer for Worman House or Devil’s Pool Restaurant!  A cash bar will also be available during the sessions.

For more information or to purchase tickets call 1-800-BCLODGE

The 235th Marine Corps Birthday Ball – November 10th, 2010

Branson Hilton Convention Center – 200 West Main Street

Open to all Marines, Veterans and General Public

$60 per person  includes:

Social hour with cash bar, Birthday Ceremony, Dinner & dancing

Tickets may  be picked up between October 1st and November 9th.

There are only 15 days left to make your reservation.  Seating is limited!

Colonel James Sims

Keynote Speaker:  Colonel James Sims

Currently, Colonel James Sims, Marine (ret.) is the Commander of the National Military Order of the Purple Heart.  He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and served in the United States Marines for 26 years.  He was wounded in December of 1966 while a Company Commander in Vietnam.  He retired in 1988 as a Colonel.

Including his many assignments, Colonel James Sims was also an instructor at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College as well as an Aide to the White House Chief of Staff.  When Jim retired, he was the Chief of Political Military Analysis for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

For reservations or information please call:  1-800-619-5708

As some of you may know local entertainer Cody Dooley (A Country Legacy – Fountains of Country ) was recently hospitalized from air escaping into his chest and throat. He spent a week in the hospital and was unable to work and perform for over a month. Although he has been cleared to return to performing, he is still undergoing testing and treatment to find the cause of the problem and prevent it from happening again. Cody is the only source of income for his family of 5, has no medical insurance, and during the hospitalization, they were also displaced from their home.

Sunday, October 24th
2PM
Music City Center Theater

Tickets $10.00
Please Call 501-517-2582
Pick up tickets at Music City Center HWY 76 or Treasure Lake Resort Behind IMAX

235th Marine Corps Birthday Ball

November 10th, 2010

Branson Convention Center – 200 Sycamore Street, Branson, MO

5 PM to Midnight

Tickets are $60.00 per person and include:

Social hour with cash bar, Birthday Ceremony, Dinner, Ball & Dancing

Open to Marines, Veterans and the General Public

Tickets may be picked up between October 1st and November 9th.  Seating will be limited so please make  your reservations as soon as possible.

Keynote Speaker:  Col. James Sims,  Marine (Retired)

Currently Col. James Sims, Marine (Retired) is the Commander of the National Military Order of the Purple Heart.  He was commissions a Second Lieutenant and served in the U.S. Marines for 26 years, retiring in 1988 as a Colonel.

Including his many assignments, he was also instructor at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College as well as Aide to the White House Chief of Staff.  When Jim retired, he was the Chief of Political Military Analysis for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  He was wounded in December of 1966 while a Company Commander in Viet Nam.

For reservation or information, please call 1-800-619-5708

Every Friday and Saturday during the month of October visit us at Dogwood Canyon for a hair-raising tram tour.  You’ll  be taken on a haunted ride throughout the park, then stop for a mid-tour break to listen to ghost stories and have s’mores around a campfire.  Finally you’ll head back towards the park entrance where more monsters are lurking and waiting.  Tours start at 7pm each night.

Pricing:  $40 for adults/$25 for children 12 and under

Area Appreciation on Friday Nights:  A $10 discount is available for those that work or live in Stone, Taney, Christian and Greene Missouri Counties and Boone and Carroll Arkansas Counties.  For more information or to purchase tickets call 1-800-BC LODGE

September 30, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Craig Wescott
Vice President/Owner, The Track Family Fun Parks
Phone: (417) 334-1612 ext. 13
Email: craig@bransontracks.com

THE TRACK FAMILY FUN PARKS LAUNCHES MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUILDING PROJECTS: BIG CHANGES COMING TO TWO FACILITIES IN 2011

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 has decided to celebrate by reinvesting almost three million dollars in its facilities.  Construction is underway in a two-facility capital upgrade that will be completed in the spring of 2011.  Track 4 (3345 W. Hwy. 76) will feature a new high-rise go-kart track constructed of steel and concrete that rises 40 feet in the air.  Track 3 (2505 W. Hwy. 76) will take on a new look with additional go-kart tracks as well as an expanded building that will offer greater flexibility in indoor activity.

“We could not be more thrilled to be reinvesting in our parks for 2011,” said Larry Schmitt,

President/Owner of The Track Family Fun Parks.  “We have not built a new major attraction at our facilities since 2002, and we feel like this is a great year for it.  We are in the family fun business, and the addition of these attractions will provide an enhanced experience for our guests,” Schmitt added.

The new high-rise go-kart track 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 all the high-rise excitement of the other tracks.  “These capital projects should definitely have a positive impact on our business, but we feel like this reinvestment on Hwy. 76 will be a benefit for the entire community,” Schmitt said.

The Track Family Fun

Parks will provide more details about the new projects at the beginning of 2011.  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.

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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.