BRANSON, Mo. — International Messianic singer and recording artist Jonathan Settel will be in concert Friday, Jan. 23, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m. at The Tabernacle, 256 Church Road, Branson, Mo.

Settel was born in Berlin, Germany, and grew up in a traditional Jewish family in Washington, D.C. He studied music at the Inter American University of San German, Puerto Rico. For 20 years he was a vocalist in nightclubs, hotels, bars and cruise ships in the United States. In February 1984, while employed by Walt Disney World, Jonathan had an “encounter with eternity.” He became a Believer in Yeshua Ha Mashiach. (Jesus, the Messiah).

For six years Settel was one of the worship leaders for Erev Shabbat Service in a small church in Florida. In 1990, Jonathan responded to the Lord’s call to return to his homeland, Israel, and moved his family to Jerusalem where he came to love and identify completely with the Israeli culture, and was fired up to “bring the Word forth from Zion.” After a tremendous growth in his ministry he, his wife Sharon, and their children returned to the U.S. in June of 1996 to fulfill the next part of God’s plan for them.

Settel International Ministries is a ministry of reconciliation. For too many years, Jews and non-Jews have been looking through the glass of mistrust and suspicion. Settel’s vision is that the time to live the unity of the scriptures has arrived. Through the music of Settel International Ministries, both Gentiles and Jews can touch the Heart of God and feel the arms of Messiah Yeshua surround them.

For further information, telephone The Tabernacle at (417) 334-7373

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David Sandy remembers only one complaint when the Haygoods put on shows at his theater in Branson, Mo. — the screaming girls.

“It’s a great show, but those girls screaming all the time,” he recalls an older member of the audience telling him.

In case you haven’t been to Branson, the Haygoods are a family of seven brothers and one sister known for their high-energy performances that feature singing, acrobatics, dancing and playing a multitude of instruments including violins, saxophones, guitars, piano, drums and a harp. They’ve won numerous awards, including the title of “Branson’s Must-See Show” presented by the Branson Critic Awards. And in March, they will be opening their own theater on the strip in Branson. This weekend, they will have two performances at the Missouri Theater in St. Joseph on Jan. 24 and 25. The last time they were in town was during a snowstorm in January 2007 and the show sold out — a feat that didn’t surprise Sandy.

“They are just incredibly talented,” Sandy says, “very personable and approachable, and the fact that they are all good looking doesn’t hurt.”

The good looking part is why girls, particularly young teens, can’t help themselves from screaming. The seven handsome brothers range in age from 14 to 30. Adding to the attraction factor is that the family really appreciates its fans, Sandy says, often staying long hours after a show, signing autographs and posing for photos.

“They don’t put on a falsehood,” agrees the matriarch of the family, Marie Haygood. “They sincerely want to entertain. I think people are so looking for a sincere goodness and they see that in us.”

Their show is suitable for all ages, with a wide range of music from several decades. Performances are at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices are $24 for adults and $12 for children 14 and under. Seats are general admission — first come, first serve. VIP seats, which are guaranteed to be in the first five rows, also are available for $29, but you better get those fast. Sandy says most of the girls who have bought them, bought them for both shows. Call 271-4717 or (800) 821-5052 for tickets and more information. Doors will open one hour prior to the shows.

Branson, MO – They’ve been signed, sealed, and delivered – over 100 years ago! And now this exclusive collection of one-of-a-kind valentines has made its way to The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure as part of a temporary exhibit entitled Sincerely Yours: The Art of Love.

On display February 1–28, 2009, Sincerely Yours: The Art of Love celebrates the centuries-old tradition of exchanging valentine greetings on the day known as St. Valentine’s Day. Before the days of massproduced valentine greetings, many valentines were small works of art, lovingly handcrafted for that special someone. Sincerely Yours: The Art of Love presents dozens of these antique creations from the Victorian era. These works of art ranged from large and elaborate mechanicals with intricate designs of foil and paper lace, to simple postcards that cost just a penny. The postcard valentines include “vinegar valentines”– valentines with bad attitudes and such poor manners that the US Post Office eventually refused to deliver them.

The exhibit celebrates both the art and history of Valentine’s Day, from how this day was named for St. Valentine to the evolution of the designs of these beautiful vintage valentines. Valentine’s Day has a complex and interesting story that is shared within this captivating exhibit.

“As popular as scrapbooking has become in recent years, it was even more popular during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s,” said Dianna Herschend, owner of The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure. “It became quite the social activity – guests were invited for refreshments and to spend hours admiring the host’s scrapbooks. Valentines were one of the many items contained in these scrapbooks. It even became competitive; everyone wanted to have the most impressive scrapbook. That practice is largely responsible for the preservation of these original valentines from so long ago, and why we can enjoy them today”.

Sincerely Yours: The Art of Love is exclusively available at The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure during the month of February 2009. Each self-guided journey through The Butterfly Palace includes a chance to walk among over 1,000 live tropical butterflies from around the world, a 3-D movie about the incredible life of a butterfly, a sneak peek at some amazing creatures inside the Rainforest Critter Center, and a chance to get lost inside of the Emerald Forest Mirror Maze.

The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure is located at 4106 West Hwy 76 in Branson. The facility is open year-round from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily. For more information about Sincerely Yours: The Art of Love and The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure, call 417-332-2231 or visit TheButterflyPalace.com.

The AFC and NFC are over and there are still several days before the big game in February. So, what is a football fan to do? A handful of Skaggs Physicians and members of Taney County Ambulance have the answer; an afternoon football game Saturday, January 31.

The annual toss of the pig-skin between the teams raises money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Branson. Last year, Skaggs Physicians won. Come see if they can hold onto those bragging rights; Noon, January 31 at Branson Cedar Ridge (behind K-Mart). Tickets are $2 in advance and $3 at the gate. Call Kim Curtright for tickets, (417) 335-7128.

The world famous Blackwood Brothers Quartet is featured on the second of a series of the Best of the Gene Williams Country Television Show on the next Lucas Oil sponsored, Telly Award-winning show that is taped live in Branson, Mo., and telecast across the nation to more than 60 million homes coast-to-coast and border-to-border. The show with the Blackwood Brothers Quartet will be telecast Jan. 24 and 25.

“It was a delight to have the Blackwood Brothers Quartet on my show last year and I know the viewers will enjoy seeing this historic show again,” said Gene Williams the star, producer and creator of the longest running weekly TV show in Branson. “I’ve done my show for almost eight years in Branson and this was the first time I have been able to coordinate the famous group’s schedule with my show’s taping schedule. This group was founded in 1934. What an honor to have the group that has such a history to perform on the stage of the Gene Williams Theatre. Today James Blackwood’s son, Jimmy (James Jr.) Blackwood continues the 73-year gospel music tradition with Wayne Little, Randy Byrd and Brad White.”

In addition to the Blackwood Brothers the Best of Series will feature Johnny Lee, Barbara Fairchild, Joey Riley and Mickey Gilley.

The next live taping of the Gene Williams Country TV Show is Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. at the
50’s at the Hop Theatre located in the Branson Meadows Mall. Admission is free and the doors open at 1:30 p.m. For more information, go to the website genewilliamscountry.com.

Williams began his country music television show in Arkansas 50 years ago and for the past eight years has taped the show in Branson live before a studio audience. Guests have included 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, Porter Wagoner, Jim Owen, Buck Trent and Wanda Jackson.

Williams’ co-host Katie Lynn 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. In addition to her singing career, she is a real estate agent. She and the guest stars perform weekly on the television show with the Country Junction Band.

Dr. Sherry DeVore, assistant superintendent, will retire from Branson Schools next June after 27 years of service. In addition to her current position with the district, DeVore has been a special education classroom teacher, a process coordinator for special services and an assistant elementary principal. She has been in public education for the past 32 years.

Although leaving the Branson District, she will continue work in education. DeVore will join the staff as an instructor and consultant for the southwest Missouri satellite campus of Lindenwood University.

Dr. Brad Swofford has been named assistant superintendent for the Branson School District replacing DeVore. He is currently the Junior High principal for the district – a position he has held since 2001. Swofford has also been a classroom teacher and coach at the High School and has been employed with the Branson district since 1995.

Swofford earned his graduate and undergraduate degrees from Southwest Missouri State University. He holds a doctorate in education from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Swofford will assume his new role with the district July 1.

The banquet will be held at First Baptist Church of Ozark.
1400 West Jackson
Ozark, MO
417-581-2484

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Jan. 14 – The Little Rock District of the Army Corps of Engineers will host a public workshop Thursday, Jan. 22 in Harrison, Ark., to discuss its marina commercial zone policy.
The policy restricts recreational activities within 50 feet of all marina docks on district lakes in the interest of public safety, security of visitor property and to reduce conflicts among various groups of recreational lake users.

The informal workshop will be held from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Quality Inn Conference Room at 1210 US Highways 62/65 North. Tables will be set up, and interested persons can come by and talk one-on-one with members of the Corps.

Examples of prohibited activities are no fishing, swimming, diving, jumping or wading within 50 feet of marina docks. Only those going to or from a dock on marina business, such as slip renters or store customers, are authorized within 50 feet. Marina docks will be marked with signs before enforcement begins.

Lakes that fall under the new policy include Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Norfork, Clearwater, Greers Ferry, Dardanelle and Millwood.

Hollister, MO – The Chad A. Fuqua Foundation is now a reality. According to Parks Director Jeramie Brannon, the business leaders in the Tri-Lakes area, friends and family of Chad Fuqua have donated more than $8,000.00 to a Chad A. Fuqua Memorial Fund. Chad’s parents, Bryan and Vonnie Mathiesen had agreed to match the first $5000.00…thus bringing the foundation total to $13,000.

The foundation board of directors will consist of Joe Sadewhite of Columbia, MO and a long time childhood friend of Chad; Vonnie Mathiesen, Chad’s mother, and Alderman Scott McCaully the City Council representative to the Hollister Park Board.

The STAR Alternative School, Scott Wenger, Coordinator is announcing the receipt of a $5,000 scholarship from Lowes to add improvements to the Chad A Fuqua Memorial Park. To date the group of 16 or more students has worked on the trail leading to Hackett Falls. Other items to be added to the park area include a gazebo, planter boxes and a picnic area near the bridge crossing over Hackett Falls.

The Chad A Fuqua Foundation will continue to accept donations. Several fund raisers are being planned for spring 2009.

A total of 222 students at Ouachita Baptist University were named to the President’s List for the fall 2008 semester. To be named to the President’s List, a student must compile a 4.0 grade point average and be classified as a full-time student, with a minimum of 12 academic hours.

The following Missouri students were named to the President’s List and are listed in order of hometown:
…BRANSON, Mo. – Marcie Bealer…