College of the Ozarks will hold its Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 10, 2008, in Keeter Gymnasium, where 251 students will receive a diploma. Baccalaureate service will be at 11 a.m. and Commencement is at 2 p.m., followed by a reception on Kelce dormitory’s lawn.

The Honorable Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas Governor, will give the Commencement address. Huckabee graduated magna cum laude from Ouachita Baptist University, completing his bachelor’s degree in religion in 2 ½ years, before attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.

With roots in Hope, Arkansas, Huckabee first was elected Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas in a 1993 special election and was elected to a full four-year term in 1994. He served as 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996-2007. Last year, Huckabee campaigned for the Republican nomination for President, finishing second in the Republican Presidential Primary.

Presently, Huckabee hosts a weekend news show on the FOX News Channel, as well as hosts a daily radio commentary on ABC radio.

Dr. James T. Draper, Jr., retired President and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, will give the Baccalaureate service. LifeWay Christian Resources is one of the largest Christian communications companies.

Dr. Draper earned his bachelor’s degrees from Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He obtained his master of divinity from Southwestern Seminary and has received doctoral degrees from Howard Payne University, Campbell University and California Baptist University.

Dr. Draper has authored 27 books, including We Believe, Trusting Thy Word and Every Christian is a Minister.

A long-time Baptist minister and prominent figure in the Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Draper served as the Convention President from 1982-1984; was the Chairman of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Board of Trustees 1990-91 and trustee member 1984-1991; and has been a trustee of Baylor University, Southwest Baptist University and California Baptist University.

Please join C of O in recognizing the graduating seniors’ accomplishments at the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies. Tickets are not required, but seating is limited for both ceremonies. For more information, contact the office of the Dean of the College at (417) 690-2278.

Article Source: http://bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com/2009/05/mike-huckabee-to-speak-at-college-of.html

The HBA will launch a new show in the Branson/Tri-Lakes area this week — The Home Idea Showcase. The two-day show will take place at the Branson Convention Center the weekend of May 16-17.

On Saturday the show will be open from 10 am to 8 pm and Sunday’s hours are from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission cost is $5 per person; children 12 and under are free. There are 117 vendors participating in the new show.

“The response to the Home Idea Showcase has been excellent,” said HBA Operations Manager Charlyce Ruth. “We had the opportunity to enlarge our vendor capacity and so the show will be larger than originally planned.”

“This is one of the most direct and substantive ways we can work to stimulate the housing industry locally while at the same time helping home owners conveniently connect with the quality home-related goods and services they need, all under one roof,” said CEO Matt Morrow. “It’s been proven that for every 100 homes built, it creates 284 jobs and generates millions in revenue for area governments. That’s pretty ‘real’, measurable economic stimulus.”

Morrow went on to say the timing and location of the show couldn’t be better. “This is a fantastic time of year to encourage people to think about home improvement and new construction,” said Morrow. “Having such a strong, high profile venue like the Branson Convention Center for a new show makes me feel very positive about this opportunity.”

Besides excellent mortgage rates and improved supply costs, Morrow added that there are many reasons for those pondering a new home or remodeling project to take that next step. “For example, first-time home buyers who meet certain criteria can get their hands on up to an extra $8,000 through a federal tax credit, which does not have to be repaid. Plus, in the state of Missouri you may qualify for a short term loan from the Missouri Housing and Development Corporation if you want to use that money to help with your down payment,” he said.

There are also seminars featuring HBA member professionals for Home Idea Showcase attendees, at no additional charge. (See schedule below) For those interested in a “Buy One Admission, Get One Admission Free” coupon, visit the HBA’s website at http://www.greaterozarkshba.com/ and click on the link that says “Free E-Coupon.”

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The 2009 Valedictorian of Galena High School is Emma Sorrell. During her time in high school, Emma has participated in softball, volleyball, and basketball for all four years. She has been involved in FBLA, FCCLA, FTA, NHS, NHTS, and has been the president of FBLA for three years, FCCLA for two years, and Beta Club president for one year. She has been accepted into the Cox College of Nursing, and will be attending the medical assisting program, and plans to continue with the RN program. In the future, Emma plans on being a nurse, while raising a family.

The 2009 Salutatorian of Galena High School is Justin Hufferd. Justin has been in the BETA Club, FBLA and on the Academic Team for four years. He has also been a member of FFA, and FCCLA. His hobbies include working, playing guitar hero, and hanging out with friends. After school at College of the Ozarks, he wants to attend law school, become a corporate lawyer and judge, and then become involved in politics.

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Arts and crafts, live music, the Outrageous Dog Show and sidewalk sales all will be a part of the 36th annual Plumb Nellie Days in downtown Branson this weekend, a news release from the city of Branson said.

The arts and crafts festival will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17. The craft show is free and open to the public. Tents and other booths will be arranged on the Awbery parking lot at Commercial and Pacific streets in downtown Branson. Downtown merchants also will hold sidewalks sales during Plumb Nellie Days.

One of Plumb Nellie Days’ most popular events is the Outrageous Dog Show. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Saturday and the dog show begins at 10 a.m. Entry fee is $5. Divisions include longest ears, cutest puppy, ugliest dog, most talented, shortest legs, most spots, longest tail, owner look-alike and other divisions. Every dog wins a prize.

Plumb Nellie Days also will feature a book signing by local author Judy Dees, who recently published a book called Verses from Above.

For more information about Plumb Nellie Days, call (417) 334-1548.

Mother’s Day is May 10th, 2009!
All MOTHER’S are FREE! They will receive FREE popcorn and a FREE gift!

Mother’s Day ONLY!

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do performs at the Branson Star Theatre located at 3750 West Hwy 76.

For more information please call 417-334-7131

For the 14th year, the city of Branson has been recognized for its effort to protect its trees.

During an Arbor Day ceremony at Branson Landing, the city was named a 2009 Tree City USA.

“This is Branson’s 14th year to receive this honor,” said Cindy Garner, an urban forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

“The people of this city should be very proud of what their local government does for trees.”

She said the amount of air produced by one acre of trees is enough for 18 people for one year.

“Trees are such a big part of our lives,” Garner said. “Not only is the oxygen important, but the shade is also pretty nice, too.”

She said about 42 percent of the communities in Missouri earned the Tree City USA award.

“Branson is also one of only 11 communities in the state to receive the Growth Award,” Garner said. “This award is presented to communities that go above and beyond the requirements to be a Tree City USA. Communities that manage trees on public property should be recognized.”

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Two Missouri students, Shawn Hawkins, 19, of Branson and Nimo Sahil, 16, of Kansas City, were honored in the nation’s capital Sunday night for their outstanding volunteer work during the presentation of The 2009 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The two young people – along with 100 other top youth volunteers from across the country – received $1,000 awards as well as personal congratulations from former First Lady Laura Bush at the 14th annual award ceremony and gala dinner reception, held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

Shawn and Nimo were named the top high school and middle level youth volunteers in Missouri last February. In addition to their cash awards, they received engraved silver medallions and an all-expense-paid trip with their parents to Washington, D.C., for this week’s recognition events.

“The young people receiving these awards genuinely care about making a difference in the lives of others and have accomplished so much – in their own communities and around the world,” said Mrs. Bush, who delivered the keynote address at last night’s ceremony. “I thank and congratulate them for their outstanding volunteer work. Students with this kind of commitment and leadership ability are essential to the future of our nation.”

Shawn, a senior at Branson High School, spent four years writing, directing, and producing a film that his school has used to help educate students about the dangers of teenage drinking and driving. “Alcoholism has been part of my family,” said Shawn. “I have always been concerned about fellow students that struggle with all the tough decisions and choices that are out there for teens today.”

Shawn first had to teach himself how to make a movie, because a learning disability prevented him from taking the necessary technology classes. Then he solicited advice from his city’s fire chief, who deals with many emergency calls concerning alcohol every year. To finance his movie, Shawn got funding from the City of Branson and asked local businesses for support, ending up with 32 sponsors. His school has begun screening a portion of the 15-minute movie, entitled “The Ripple Effect,” for all freshmen health students, and now plans to show it to all graduating seniors each year. The film also is being broadcast for an entire year on a local cable television channel. “My intention was to make my peers think and understand that when they make certain decisions, they cannot go back and rewind their lives like I can rewind my film,” said Shawn.

Nimo, an eighth-grader at Maple Park Middle School, has raised hundreds of dollars a month over the past four years to pay for food, clothing, tuition and school supplies for 13 desperate children in Somalia. Nimo began her fund-raising after a family friend in Somalia sent word that three children there had lost their parents and had no money. “Then my father found out about 10 more children that needed our help,” explained Nimo. “As soon as I found out, I started raising money so they would have food and could attend school.”

Each month, Nimo sends her allowance money to Somalia, and asks friends and family members for donations. Her parents helped out at first, but no longer can because they do not have jobs, she said. Nimo also has collected donations at her school, and sold traditional African food to supplement the monthly payments she sends to the Somalian children. “If I stop sending money, the children will be kicked out of school and will not have money for food,” said Nimo. “Some other children from the same village starved to death, so it is important for me to continue my project.”

“Shawn and Nimo are inspiring examples of young Americans who care deeply about the needs of others and who have taken the initiative to help meet those needs,” said John R. Strangfeld, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. “By honoring them, we hope not only to give them the recognition they so richly deserve, but also to inspire others to follow their example.”

Nearly 20,000 young people submitted applications for the 2009 awards program last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of the Points of Light Institute’s HandsOn Network. The top middle level and high school applicants in each state were selected in February, and were flown to Washington this week with their parents for four days of special recognition events.

Conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created 14 years ago by Prudential Financial, Inc. to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models. Since then, the program has honored nearly 90,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.

“The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is a fabulous partnership between NASSP and Prudential, allowing us to recognize the outstanding young people in our schools and communities,” said NASSP President Larry Bradley. “This year’s honorees exemplify the true spirit of helping others and by doing so they give America and the world a promising future, a future filled with compassion and hope.”

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are supported by the American Association of School Administrators, the National Middle School Association, the National School Boards Association, the Council of the Great City Schools, Girl Scouts of the USA, National 4-H Council, the American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, the Points of Light Institute, and other national education and service organizations.

More information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and this year’s honorees can be found at http://spirit.prudential.com or www.principals.org/prudential.

Help us collect the following items for families in need:

• Tuna Helper
• Crackers
• Canned Soup
• Canned Meat

Cash donations are always welcome! Drop items off at Christian Action Ministries May 1-31, 2009.

202-B Vaughn St.
Branson, MO 65616
Phone: 417-334-1157
Fax: 417-334-8057

http://www.christianactionministries.org/

Event details:

When:  April 25th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Where:  Area 57 (Next to Dick Clark) has donated their area for the event.

What to Expect:  Entertainment by local celebrities onstage performing throughout the event.  Inflatable jump houses from Monkey Moes for the children to play.  Popular children characters in full dress for pictures with the children.  Events and crafts for children of all ages.

Through the process of a loved one being diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum we have learned that we can and should do more as communities to address this growing problem in our nation’s most valuable asset, our children.  The surface of autism has barely been scratched in the generation of tools and treatments that can help many children live more normal lives.  Since insurance does not cover autism, it is very important that events such as “A Day for Shay,” and organizations taking the lead such as Generation Rescue, have to move forward now to give these children they help they deserve.  We are teaming up with Generation Rescue which is Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey’s Foundation for Autism and holding A Day for Shat & Pals event.  We are also asking for your help.  Anything that you can do will be paid forward.

We want to have a very memorable event that families can come and have lots of fun, and raise money for our Taney County families who live with autism and need financial help.