Sue Head, Executive Director, of the The Keeter Center for Character Education sent out the following email on the “First PLACE! Characteristic of the Month” for January: “Commitment:”

Happy New Year!  The First PLACE! trait of the month is Commitment – being true to your word and what a wonderful trait to teach to our area children.

I was discussing the trait of the month with my assistant, Amy, and she immediately shared a story that exemplifies the value of focusing on developing character in young people.  They don’t get it by osmosis but consistent reinforcement like that demonstrated in the account below:

The New Year is always filled with commitments, resolutions, and goals. It’s the perfect time to reevaluate what we do, and how we do it. I remember strongly a conversation in my home during my high school years. My dad, who was a quiet yet hard-working giant of a man, sat at the kitchen table reading the newspaper one morning. He turned to a full-page ad that had used their prime space for one large message: “Don’t Promise What You Can’t Deliver.” My dad ripped the page from its section and turned to tape it onto our refrigerator (the message center of our home).

For years, that newspaper ad glared at my brothers, and at me, as we made decisions about what to do and say. Occasionally, my father would quietly remind us of our commitments by simply turning from his seat at the breakfast table and pointing to the ad on the refrigerator. Don’t over-commit. That’s a different warning than to avoid commitment altogether. Instead the ad (and my dad) seemed to scream to be true to your word.   Be a committed mother or father, a committed worker, a committed volunteer. But don’t fall into the trap of saying yes to something you can’t do. Think about what you can do…dream big dreams, and then get out there and do it.

Another prime example of commitment in this community is Loaves & Fishes.  How inspiring to see groups sign up and take a night to feed neighbors in need.  In order to feed 160+ folks each night, each team demonstrates their commitment by showing up, cooking, serving, and cleaning as they had given their word to do.  The organizers take the team leaders at their word and trust that the team will do as they said they would do, and over the past three years over 20,000(!) meals have been provided through this commitment process.  There are actually eleven nights still available this season (Jan. 3-March 16) that need a team of six to twelve folks to provide the meal.  Please let me know if you are interested in taking a night.

As always, thank you for your commitment to First PLACE! and to the children who call Ozark Mountain Country home.

(Branson, MO) – After several months of collecting recipes for their 10 Year Commemorative Cookbook, Branson Bank is proud to announce that one diligent, hard-working Non-Profit Organization will benefit from the cookbook sales.

A contest was formed that gave the community an opportunity to vote for a Non-Profit to receive the proceeds. For every recipe submitted up to five (5) per person, a vote was tallied. Throughout the months of July and August, recipes seemed to trickle in to each of the Branson Bank locations but as the deadline of August 16, 2010 neared, the trickle soon became a downpour. Plastic sacks full of recipes were being dropped off at locations on behalf of local Non-Profits.

“To commemorate our ‘Ten Years of Community Banking,’ we wanted to build a memorable cookbook while helping one of our local Non-Profit Organizations,” said Halley Fleming, Director of Marketing. “We had two goals in mind, (1) produce a local, memorable cookbook that many will want to purchase and enjoy, and (2) donate the proceeds from the sales of the book to a local Non-Profit Organization.”

Due to the enormous reception and hard work of the area’s Non-Profit Organizations, the first Branson Bank cookbook will hold over 950 recipes. Receiving the most votes and submitting over half of the recipes collected was The Junior Auxiliary of Taney County (JA).

“When I heard that JA would benefit from the sales of Branson Bank’s first cookbook, I was thrilled,” said Mary Jo Green, Membership Coordinator of Junior Auxiliary of Taney County. “When motivated people put their minds together, rest assured, good things can and will happen!”

Branson Bank’s 10 Year Commemorative Cookbook will go on sale mid-November, at their three convenient locations: Hwy 248, Falls Parkway, and in Forsyth, just in time for the holidays. With nearly 950 recipes from people in our community, the cookbook will cost only $15.00 and all profits from the cookbook will be donated to the Junior Auxiliary of Taney County.

“We really appreciate the support that the community has shown with our cookbook project,” said Bill Jones, President. “Serving both Taney and Stone Counties over the past 10 years has been an honor and be sure to look for more ‘Sweet Traditions’ from your local bank, Branson Bank!”

Stop in to one of our three convenient locations for a warm, chocolate chip cookie and discover why more and more people are choosing Branson Bank for all of their financial needs.

Branson Bank is one of the fastest growing community banks in the region, with $160 million dollars total assets and an innovative customer focused approach to service. Courier Banking, our SaveFirst program, Facebook, and free online banking are just some of the ways Branson Bank continues to keep customers on the cutting edge of financial services.

Branson Bank is a locally owned, state chartered financial institution with two locations in Branson and one in Forsyth.

Branson, MO – Team members from all six Myer Hotels, Branson’s award-winning hotel company, recently participated in a food drive in support of Christian Action Ministries (CAM). Christian Action Ministries has served over 4,900 families already this year, more than 12,000 individuals. CAM Executive Director Pat Davis accepted the donation and expressed appreciation for the continued support of Myer Hotels and all of the employees. “Heather Albaugh, Executive Housekeeper at Best Western Center Pointe Inn challenged the other 5 housekeeping teams within Myer Hotels—all teams responded with a tremendous effort.” stated Brian King, Assistant General Manager of the Best Western Center Pointe Inn.

A total of 520 food items were collected through the month of November. The Myer Hotels team achieved an increase of 15% over last year.

“We had fun contending to see which property could donate the most canned foods, and enjoyed helping CAM provide groceries to thousands of our neighbors here in the Branson area. We were blessed to be a part of this good effort and thank everyone who joined in the food drive,” expressed Chris Myer, Vice President of Marketing for Myer Hotels. In addition, Myer Hotels has challenged all other hotels in greater Branson to match or exceed their total.

About Myer Hotels

In the lodging business for over 40 years, the Myer family has actively contributed to Branson’s hospitality market for over 28 years and received numerous national awards. Myer Hotels includes the Best Western Center Pointe Inn, Best Western Music Capital Inn, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows, Comfort Inn West, and Holiday Inn Express Green Mountain Drive. The properties emphasize excellent locations, countless amenities and exceptional customer service while focusing on great value in the upper mid-scale area. For more information about these hotels please visit www.myerhotels.com.

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Toys For Tots And Cassandré Invite you to
The Americana Theatre November 26, 2010 – 2pm Show,
to Help Needy Children in Our Area!

Bring a toy, and see one of Branson’s favorite shows, Cassandré The Voice of an Angel for FREE! This special day will be Friday November 26, at the 2pm show ONLY. Please make sure your toy is new, still in original package and please make your gift a $10 to $15 value.

Special requests are being made for children 13 – 18 years of age,
CDs, DVDs, watches, wallets, bath/body sets, jewelry are perfect items for this age group!

Call The Americana Theatre at 417-339-4663

NEWS RELEASE
Contact Debbie Redford
Hollister School District
332-7246

A third grade class at Hollister Elementary is sponsoring Take Flight Veterans’ Night at the McDonald’s on West Highway 76 next to Ride the Ducks on Thursday, October 7, from 4-8 p.m. as a fundraiser to support Ozarks Honor Flight. Students will be greeting veterans and customers with McDonald’s donating a portion of the evening’s proceeds to the Ozarks Honor Flight Program which flies WWII Veterans to Washington, D.C. to view the memorial built to honor their service. The students will have the opportunity to hear two World War II Veterans speak to them on October 5th and 6th. Additionally, the veteran father of one of the students will also visit the class. Teacher Amy Jo Kilgore has made it her mission for her students to understand veterans’ contributions and arranged for the service-learning project so they could demonstrate their support and appreciation.

Branson, MO (September 22, 2010)-  Since 1950, when Skaggs Regional Medical Center opened its doors, safety of the community and its patients has been top priority.  Starting 13 years ago Skaggs introduced to Taney and Stone Counties drive-thru flu shot clinics.

“These clinics allowed community members easy access to a vaccine that had limited inoculation sites,” says Connie Meier, Skaggs Infection Control Practitioner.  “Over the past 13 years accessibility has changed.  Now you can find influenza vaccine in physician’s offices, county health departments and retail pharmacies.”

“For the past two years Skaggs Regional Medical Center has seen a decline in its number of flu shots administered during the donation drive-thru clinics,” says Michelle Leroux, Skaggs Media Relations Specialist.  “This caused us to re-evaluate the need for this event.  With the increased availability of influenza vaccine at numerous sites, we know our community is being adequately served.”

Skaggs Regional Medical Center is providing flu shots for $15 at three special walk-in clinics:

* Forsyth Medical Care, 13852 U.S. Hwy 160; Friday, October 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
* Branson West Medical Care, 18452 State Hwy 13; Wednesday, October 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
* Skaggs Southside Family Clinic, 590 Birch Rd., Suite 1-C, Hollister; Thursday, October 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Skaggs clinics will also have ample supply of influenza vaccine to offer their patients.  Call your primary care provider to schedule an appointment.

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.  Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.  The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.

In 2009-2010, a new and very different flu virus, called 2009 H1N1, spread worldwide causing the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years.  During the 2010-2011 flu season, the CDC expects the 2009 H1N1 virus to cause illness again along with other influenza viruses.  The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses.

This flu season the CDC recommends everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine each year starting with the 2010-2011 influenza season.  While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.  This group includes children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old; adults 65 years of age and older; pregnant women; and anyone who may have a chronic medical condition.

Individuals who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician include people who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs; people who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past; people who developed Guillian-Barre’ syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously; children younger than six months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group); and people who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

Here’s a handy list of the days and hours school is in session in the Branson School system and the phone numbers for “grafde”. The list was compiled from the email “News from Branson Schools”  published by the Branson School system.

School Days

Monday through Thursday
Grades K-4      8:45 – 3:45
Grades 5-6       8:21 – 3:22
Grades 7-8       8:00 – 3:01
Grades 9-12     7:30 – 2:31

Fridays
Grades K-4       8:45 – 2:45
Grades 5-6        8:21 – 2:22
Grades 7-8        8:00 – 2:01
Grades 9-11      7:30 – 1:31

Phone Numbers

Primary – 336-1887
Elementary East – 334-5137
Elementary West – 334-5135
Intermediate – 332-3201
Junior High – 334-3087
High School – 334-6511

Visitors to Branson praise the hospitality of this community. What they may not know is that some of Branson’s population—including some who are in the workforce—are living in motel rooms they rent by the week or in the woods around town. And among that population are children.

On Sept. 24, Branson’s hospitality will be extended to the estimated 400 individuals and families who are without suitable housing in Taney County. The Governor’s Committee to End Homelessness will sponsor “Project Homeless Connect” at the United Methodist Church on Missouri 76. Representatives from about two dozens non-profit agencies will be there to offer services to those who attend.

Branson Salvation Army is serving as the host agency, accepting donations and signing up volunteers, said Capt. Jody Dalberg. The people they hope to reach “could be three days away from being on the street,” he said. “They have enough to pay for a night here or there, but hotel life is not a life adults or children should be living. It’s a shelter. It’s not housing.”

John Presley is chairman of the volunteer committee. “As we all know, Branson has a large number of people living in weekly rentals,” Presley said. “The goal of this event is to provide people with a central place and time to meet with area agencies to get the services and documents they need.”

For the past four years, volunteers for Church Army Branson have conducted Point In Time counts in Taney County, identifying people living outside or in motels. Last summer, they found 304 individuals. This winter, the count was 248. This year, they are developing methods that will result in a more accurate assessment, said Michelle Harllee with Church Army.

The Governor’s Committee to End Homelessness covers 101 rural counties in Missouri, said Jenni Miller, Community Initiatives Coordinator for the Missouri Housing Development Commission. The first Project Homeless Connect was held last year in Columbia.
“But Branson’s are the highest numbers in the state, so that’s why Project Homeless Connect is coming to Branson,” Miller said.

“Some lack a car, a job or even necessary documents,” Presley said. “Everyone is interested in getting people out of the situation. Some might need veterans’ assistance, or mental health help or maybe just a birth certificate, and they’ll be able to get that help right there.”

“What’s needed now is about 100 volunteers to help at the event,” Presley said.
“That may not be easy. Some people may be leery about volunteering, but these are mostly genuine people down on their luck. I’ve already got about a dozen people living in motels who want to help. The goal is to have a guide for each person who comes in the door.”

Volunteers also are needed for registration, handing out items to participants and helping with meal service. Another committee will provide transportation from hotels.

Golfer Memorialized with 9th Annual Tournament

Branson, MO (August 12, 2010)-  Registration is now open for a golf tournament benefiting ALS patients at Skaggs Regional Medical Center and CoxHealth.  This is the ninth year for the Julian Golf Tournament, memorializing Jeff Julian, a PGA golfer who lost his three year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.  ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord and affects muscle function.

“This tournament has helped hundreds of patients at Skaggs Regional Medical Center,” says Rodney Arnold, Executive Vice President of Skaggs Foundation.  “It’s through the funds raised during this annual event that we’ve been able to provide equipment such as a hydro-lift arm for pool therapy, a balance system, and much more.”

Registrations are being accepted for the four-person scramble held at Ledge Stone Country Club in Branson, Monday, September 20 at 10 a.m.  Team registration is $1,250 and includes a local pro golfer per team, lunch, a swag bag and post tournament happy hour.  Register by calling Bill Hasler at 417-335-7869.  More information regarding the tournament is available at www.thejulian.org.

Founded in 2002, Skaggs Foundation was established to help support Skaggs Regional Medical Center by encouraging and engaging community members in philanthropy.  As today’s healthcare costs continue to climb and our population ages, there are many ways community members can make a huge difference in the lives of those we serve.  Learn more about Skaggs Foundation at www.skaggs.net/skaggsfoundation.

CAM needs Sponsors for:

2nd Annual Gospel Sing-Off

3 PM • September 5, 2010 at the Sight & Sound Theatre

Dear community and business leaders,

In the Ozark spirit of helping others, Christian Action Ministries assists over 800 families per month through two food pantries – one in Branson, and now a second in Forsyth. Founded as a joint effort of eleven churches, CAM is a non-denominational organization dedicated to helping the needy in Christ’s name.

But we need your help! Our Annual Gospel Sing-Off is the primary fundraiser to cover the cost of operations and purchase the necessary food to offer nutritionally balanced resources to those in need. Please consider supporting CAM by becoming a sponsor for this wonderful event that celebrates the Christian spirit in song and service.

Sponsor Commitments

• Gold Sponsor – $2,000, full-page program ad, 10 tickets
• Silver Sponsor – $1,000, half-page program ad, 6 tickets
• Bronze Sponsor – $500, quarter-page program ad, 4 tickets
• Honorable Mention – $250, name listing, 2 tickets

We also have key sponsorships available for the prize purse and program printing,
offering special advertising and mentions. Just contact us for details.

For more information or to request a sponsorship form, you can contact me at 239-1011 or by email to [email protected]. You can also contact Pat Davis, our director, at 334-1157 or [email protected].

Thank you for your consideration. We really do need your help!

God bless you,
Jack Burke
CAM Board Chairman