Branson’s Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa is hosting an elaborate Easter Brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, according to Stephen Marshall, vice president and general manager of the resort. To be conducted in the picturesque Chateau Grille, the brunch will feature an array of entres, carved and made-to-order items, soups, salads, fruits and cheeses, seafood offerings, side dishes, and desserts.

Offerings will include Slow Roasted Prime Rib, Honey Glazed Ham, Leg of Lamb with Spinach and Pinenut Stuffing, Rum and Sorghum glazed Smoked Salmon, Lobster and Spinach Tortellini, Grilled Smokehouse Italian Sausage, Jumbo Shrimp, Parmesan Seared Chicken Breast with Penne Pasta and Parmesan Alfredo Sauce, Snow Crab Clusters, Fire Roasted Pepper and Brie Soup, fresh Oysters, Watermelon and Feta Cheese Salad with Spicy Pumpkin Seeds, and made-to-order Omelets.

Dessert offerings will include a Flambé Station with Cherries Jubilee and Bananas Foster served with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. In addition, there will be an assortment of cakes, tortes, pastries, pies, and fruit tartlets, in addition to Mango Bread Pudding, and a Chocolate Fountain with Fruit and Pound Cake.
The Easter Brunch is $36.95 for adults, $18.95 for children ages 4-12, and free for children 3 and under. Reservations are recommended, and may be made by calling (417) 334-1161.

“The brunch is a wonderful way to celebrate Easter,” said Marshall. “Rather than working hard to prepare a holiday feast, this impressive brunch is a great way to celebrate the day.”

Owned and managed by Springfield, Missouri-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa boasts an impressive mountaintop and lakefront setting, a vast array of recreational options, award-winning service, and a location convenient to the diverse entertainment offerings of popular Branson.

You are cordially invited to play a vital role in one of the most prestigious affairs scheduled during 2009 – the 13th annual Military Gala & Banquet which is scheduled for Sunday evening, November 8, 2009. This event, hosted by the POW Network, is held annually during Branson’s Veterans Homecoming Week.

We are proud to note that this year marks our 20th year in service, speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves – our nation’s POWs and MIAs. For two decades we have dedicated our lives to the vital role of educating the public regarding the plight of those held prisoner or missing in action long after battlefield conflicts have ended. The Gala provides us with an annual opportunity to highlight this work and focus the thoughts and prayers of our community on this effort.

We know times are tough. That doesn’t stop our military from serving, nor does it preclude our veterans from deserving all the gratitude and appreciation we can shower upon them.

Your sponsorship will make the GALA an event of elegance and beautiful memories. The evening is filled with military protocol and ceremonies paying tribute to the hundreds of former veterans and current active duty military personnel who attend, as well as honoring those who cannot be with us. Veterans from every branch of the military and every era are among our 600+ attendees who treasure the memories and the bonds made in military service. Many come back year after year.

In addition to our deepest gratitude, sponsors’ benefits include advertising on the 1500 formal invitations which are mailed in late May, a full-page advertisement in the evening’s commemorative program, on-going recognition on the POW NETWORK website as well as in an abundance of printed materials, and recognition during the GALA ceremony itself. Those sponsors donating $1000 or more receive a reserved table for ten guests of their choosing.

We invite you to become a sponsor of this most worthy of events. Past sponsors have included many of Branson’s stage shows, properties and businesses, as well as nationwide corporations and prominent public figures. Please consider joining this elite group of past and present sponsors by becoming a sponsor yourself. Salute our nation’s past veterans as well as our active service members with a sponsorship which will reflect your respect and admiration for all they have done and continue to do in serving our country.
Please take a few moments to read the attached sponsorship information. Pledge your sponsorship now to maximize the year’s advertising. Full payment is due by October 1, 2009.

Our veterans will appreciate your sponsorship, and we humbly thank you for your time and consideration.

Mary and Chuck Schantag
P.O.W. Network
www.pownetwork.org
866-481-4252

[The POW Network is a federally designated 501.3.c Not For Profit Corporation and all donations are tax deductible]

This spring take a weekend getaway close to home aboard the Showboat Branson Belle on Table Rock Lake! Enjoy a fabulous three-course meal and showstopping entertainment, including Todd Oliver and his talking dogs. Come set sail with us!

Now thru April 10, 2009

Limited-time $20 (plus tax) Area Appreciation Cruises.

(Click image for details)

The Missouri Wine Festival today announced a marketing partnership with Branson.Com. Bob Nichols, Producer of the festival, said that the Wine Festival will be soon be enticing huge numbers of the “Wine Crowd” to Branson for the April 25th & 26th celebration of Missouri Wines and Artisan Cheeses. Branson.Com is the most popular website for the folks planning their trip to Branson, receiving substantially more hits than any other Branson, Missouri website. Nichols said, “ With an impressive marketing budget, aimed primarily at the Branson/Springfield Metro-plex area, we are expecting to see over 10,000 visitors to Branson that weekend alone”. The Missouri Wine Festival is being celebrated at The Chateau on the Lake Resort on Table Rock Lake. There will be celebrity book signings by Deana Martin, who will be autographing her “Best Selling” memoires of her life with her Father Dean Martin and the Rat Pack; Author Jonathan Eccher will be available to sign his book, “A Tour of Missouri Wineries” all taking place at the KSFX Performance Stage. There will be live music all day Saturday and Sunday with seminars and cooking demonstrations. And each night, a 5 course Wine Maker’s Dinner prepared by Chef Doug Knopp, recipient of Wine Spectator Magazine’s “Award of Excellence”. The Missouri Wine Festival is part of a “Concert’ of area events called “Ozark Mountain Spring” Other events that weekend include “Hand in Hand”, a salute to America’s Purple Heart Recipients and The Branson Arts Council’s Targeted Art Show and Auction, also at the Chateau on the Lake Resort. For Information and tickets to The Missouri Wine Festival, click on www.MoWineFest.com or call 417.699.6199

The Rankin Brothers Classic Music Revue has opened its second season in Branson, and this year they’re performing at the Starlite Theater on Missouri 76 across from the Hollywood Wax Museum.

They invite residents of Taney and Stone counties to enjoy their show for the price of $5 March 16 through 30. They perform at 8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and at 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The two brothers, Mark and Matt, are known as singer-impressionists. They grew up in Texas, and developed a love for the vintage music, guitars, cars and anything from the 50’s and 60’s. At ages six and seven, one of their favorite things to do was record themselves singing with Jan and Dean, The Beach Boys, and Buddy Holly.

After performing in Texas for many years, they’ve brought their classic hits to Branson including the music of Elvis, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Neil Diamond, The Righteous Brothers, Simon and Garfunkel, Roy Orbison, George Strait, Conway Twitty, Chuck Berry and more.

They’re joined onstage by three outstanding female vocalists and a cast of all-star musicians. To find out more and purchase tickets, call 417-337-9333 and visit www.rankinbrothers.com or www.starlitetheatre.com.

Official Press Release

Branson Tourism Center is proud to announce its first annual Easter Egg Hunt being held at Stockstill Park in Branson, Missouri on April 11th from 12pm to 4pm. There is no charge for participating by they are accepting donations for Relay for Life, an American Cancer Society event to raise money for cancer research.

Concessions will be available including hot dogs, chips, soda and cotton candy. A variety of activities for all ages including games, Easter Egg painting, Easter Egg baskets, face painting, balloon animals, live music and contests throughout the dar are sure to make this event one not to miss.

The official Toddler Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 2:30pm and the 5 years and up Easter Egg Hunt will commence at 3:00pm. All events are free and open to the general public. The event will happen rain or shine.

Please direct questions regarding the event to Branson Tourism Center, Tiffany Combs or Emily Pennington, 417-334-4400.

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The marketing expert who took Excel Telecommunications as a start-up company to a billion dollar publicly traded corporation in just under seven years, Stephen R. Smith, will speak in Branson on Thursday, March 19th, at 7 p.m. at the Branson Towers Hotel.

Open to the public, the meeting is part of a seven state 2009 Spring into Action Tour at which Smith will talk about his newest venture, Ultimate Choice Travel, a revolutionary nationwide travel agency.

Smith was the co-found of Excel Telecommunications where he created and deployed the marketing strategy for the long-distance company that wen over a billion dollars in revenue faster than Microsoft. This time he is capitalizing on the multi-billion dollar travel industry and has founded Ultimate Choice Travel.

“What I’m most excited about with Ultimate Choice Travel is that travel industry holds more opportunity for representatives than the long distance industry did…travel is fun. Everyone wants to do it, and it is natural for any conversation,” said Smith. “You can build a business in the travel industry, which will safely be around for a long time. And the travel business is many thousands of times the size of the long distance business, so the opportunity is virtually endless.”

Smith will detail his expansion plans for his new travel venture and explain how ot here can participate on a part-time or full-time basis from home. He will also be talking about voice over internet protocol and changes in the telephone industry.

The Branson Towers Hotel is located at 236 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. For more information call Mark White 417-598-1353.

Branson Limousine and Executive Charter, Inc., located in Branson, is ready for the local 2009 Prom season. We would appreciate the opportunity to serve you and make your prom a memorable one for years to come. You can view our vehicles on our web site at www.BransonLimoService.com. We offer executive Towncar service, a 10 passenger SuperStretch limousine, a 22-passenger luxury limousine bus, and a 27-passenger shuttle bus. We have over 13 years experience in the limousine industry, and can assure you will receive premier on time transportation service. If we can be of service to you, please call. We are confident you will find our vehicles and service superb. Thank you in advance.

March 13, 2009, Forsyth, MO. Gift of Hope, Inc. has recently acquired My Neighbor’s Pantry, a local food pantry serving over 1,800 people monthly in Northeast Taney County. The Pantry has been in operation for the past six years, however the building used for its operations has recently been leased to another entity leaving the Pantry in a position to shut its doors.

In recent months Gift of Hope’s Board of Directors has been considering expanding its programs to include a food pantry. When they became aware of the situation My Neighbor’s Pantry was facing, the Board recognized an immediate means of expansion through a mutually beneficial acquisition. Gift of Hope founder, Anthony Collier, states, “We saw an opportunity for Gift of Hope to expand its outreach to families in need and are excited about this acquisition and the ways in which we can continue to grow this program in the future.”

Gift of Hope, Inc. has been serving the needs of children and families in Taney county for over 20 years. Currently Gift of Hope sponsors programs to provide children with school supplies, food and clothing. In addition, Gift of Hope provides assistance to qualified families in need of help with rent, utilities, food, and Christmas gifts, particularly during the winter months when the need can be the greatest in Taney County.

My Neighbor’s Pantry will reopen its doors as a new program of Gift of Hope, Inc. at its new location at 10275 East State Highway 76 in Forsyth on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 under the direction of Robin Collier. The Pantry’s hours of operation will be 12:00-3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

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For more information about Gift of Hope’s My Neighbor’s Pantry or how you can help contact Robin Collier at (417) 546-8098 or visit www.giftofhopeinc.org.

Our 5th Earth Day event will take place at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery in Branson on April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We invite you to compete for our limited space to show the community that your business has made a priority of decreasing its carbon footprint.

Are you recycling?
Buying post consumer products?
Decreasing water usage?
Reducing the use of chemicals?
Becoming pollutant free?
Building with green products?
Offering locally made or grown products, or those imports considered “fair trade?”
What else are you doing GREEN?

Request your competition application NOW by e-mailing [email protected]. List EVERYTHING that might even remotely be applicable and e-mail your completed application immediately. Space is limited. So we will choose one business from each type of business submitted to attend and set up a table display on Earth Day, meet the community, and share their accomplishments with their current and potential customers.

EVERYBODY WINS! Those businesses which were not selected will be included in a green directory we will maintain at the Fish Hatchery. We will also compile a list of all the methods submitted for reducing a business’s carbon footprint. This compilation will be shared throughout the community to encourage more improvements.

Please contact us ASAP for your opportunity to show off your Green successes.

John Miller
Naturalist Program Supervisor
Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center
483 Hatchery Road
Branson MO 65616
(417) 334-4865 ext 0
(417) 334-4996 FAX
[email protected]