College of the Ozarks invites the public to attend the 23rd annual Honor America on Sunday, June 24. The event will begin with a picnic at 4:30 p.m. where attendees can purchase barbecue items, followed by a musical entertainment beginning at 5 p.m. and a patriotic program and concert at 8 p.m.

“Honor America has become a tradition that people of all ages can enjoy,” said Elizabeth Hughes, College of the Ozarks public relations director. “Kids can play with tinker toys, make bubbles and much more, while parents and grandparents can enjoy great music, barbecue and relax. Folks who attend will experience an atmosphere reminiscent of an old-fashioned patriotic celebration.”

This year’s event will feature several musical favorites, including bluegrass by Copper Fox, the Downing Street Boys who will entertain with traditional southern gospel music and the cast from Red, Hot… and Blue!, who will perform American classics from the 40s, 50s and 60s. Before the sky lights up with fireworks, attendees will hear a patriotic concert and witness more than 200 years of tradition with the West Point drum and bugle corps, The Hellcats, as they perform a fantastic display of bugling and drumming.

“Patriotism is a main focus at College of the Ozarks, and Honor America is a great way to celebrate that,” said Hughes. “I can’t think of a better way to begin your Independence Day festivities than by coming to the College’s beautiful campus to listen to music that encompasses the American spirit and to pay tribute to our nation.”

After dark, an elaborate fireworks display will conclude the event. Honor America is free and is open to the public, but don’t forget your lawn chairs. Alcohol, tobacco products, fireworks and pets are strictly prohibited. For more information, please call the Public Relations office at (417) 690-2212.

West Point Bugle and Drum Corps Hellcats

Faith Community Health Neighborhood Garage Sale and Block Party

Everyone is welcome to join us at the 3rd annual Neighborhood Garage Sale and Block Party on Saturday June 9 from 8:00AM – 2:00PM in the Faith Community Health parking lot at 610 South Sixth Street in Branson. Admission is free and there will be fun for the whole family – Farmer’s Market, Great Food, Bouncy Houses and other kid-friendly activities, cash & door prizes, and approximately 30 vendors selling retail merchandise like Mary Kay, Scentsy and Tie Dye clothes as well as bargain shopping at the garage sale tables. Sponsored by Faith Community Health, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing Stone and Taney Counties’ working uninsured with quality, affordable healthcare and wellness education based on the individual’s spiritual, physical, mental and emotional needs. For more information, call Erica at 336-9355.

Taney County OACAC Senior Resource Fair

This is the place to be on June 9 from 9:00AM to 2:00PM at Faith Community Health 610 South Sixth Street in Branson if you are looking for information and resources for senior citizens. Admission is free. Approximately 25 vendors will be available to share their knowledge and resources for the health of seniors – including Branson and Forsyth Senior Centers, Alzheimer’s Association, Foster Grandparents, Skaggs Joint & Spine Center and many more. Hosted by Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC), a not-for-profit agency working toward alleviating the causes and conditions of poverty in the Ozarks. For more information, call 239-1882.

Junior Auxiliary of Taney County Family Fun Walk

Come join the fun at the Family Fun Walk on June 9 from 9:00AM to 11:00AM in the Faith Community Health parking lot at 610 South Sixth Street in Branson. Admission is free and the whole family will enjoy various activity stations, which promote movement and healthy activities including a Bouncy House. Each child who completes all the stations will receive a prize. The walk takes approximately 30 minutes. The first group starts at 9:00AM and the last group starts at 10:20AM. Hosted by Junior Auxiliary of Taney County (JATC), a not-for-profit organization of women dedicated to improving the lives of children in Taney County through projects designed to fulfill the virtues of Charity, Youth, Health, Community Service, and Leadership. For more information, call Ronni at 544-1896.

Starting this Friday, it’s the new “Weekend Wine Down” at Mount Pleasant Winery. In June and July, they’ll have live music from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This weekend, it’s Smoooooth Jazz with Bogie Bohinc and Marcus Willett. Come enjoy great wine and wonderful music!. 3125 Green Mountain Dr. 417-336-9463. www.MountPleasant.com.

Herschend Family Entertainment CEO To Speak at Branson Area Business EXPO Breakfast – Booths Still Available

BRANSON, Mo. – Joel Manby, President and Chief Executive Officer of Herschend Family Entertainment, will provide the keynote address at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 19, at the Branson Business Expo Breakfast at the Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center. Doors open at 8 a.m.
This is a new event to open the Branson Area Business Expo presented by the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The Expo is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., also at the Chateau. The breakfast is sponsored by the Taney County Business Development Partnership. General Expo sponsors include Springfield Blue Print, Mercy and North Pole Productions.
“We are so honored to have Mr. Manby as our keynote speaker for the first ever Branson Business Expo Breakfast,” said Ladona Weathers, Director of Tourism & Membership Events. “We sincerely hope this will be the first of what will become an annual event to open the Expo. Mr. Manby’s presentation is an exciting way to begin this new event for the Branson area.”
Manby has been with Herschend Family Entertainment since 1998, and has served as CEO since 2003. During his tenure, two of HFE’s properties have earned the industry’s highest honor, the Applause Award.
An expert on leadership and customer relations, Manby spent 20 years in the auto industry and was a member of the start-up team for Saturn Corporation where he was instrumental in launching Saturn’s innovative marketing and distribution strategy. After a two-year term with GM’s International Division, he was promoted to CEO of Saab Automobile USA.
In 2010, Manby was featured on CBS’s “Undercover Boss” and has recently written the book “Love Works” published by Zondervan. As President and CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment, Manby leads a successful enterprise with love. He views love as a mode of thinking—one that has helped him deliver tangible results and position HFE as the ninth-largest themed attractions company in the world including Dollywood, Silver Dollar City and Stone Mountain Park.
A large crowd is expected to hear Manby, so don’t miss the chance to be a vendor at this event, Weathers said.
The Chamber-member Early Bird Price for breakfast is $15, due by June 1. Regular Price $20. Non-members $30. To purchase tickets, call 417-334-4084, ext. 338. Find more information about these events at www.bransonbusinessexpo.com. The deadline to reserve booth space is June 1. Each vendor will receive one ticket to the breakfast featuring Manby.

Public Invited to Ceremony on June 2 That Marks Opening of Missouri’s Remembering our Fallen Traveling Memorial Exhibit

College of the Ozarks invites the public to attend a brief ceremony and reception to mark the opening of Missouri’s “Remembering Our Fallen” traveling memorial exhibit on Saturday, June 2, at 3 p.m. in The Keeter Center. Mr. Bryan Cizek, who served in both Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom as a U.S. Army Ranger, will provide brief remarks for the ceremony.

“Remembering Our Fallen, ” a 60-foot wall display featuring the names and pictures of 141 Missouri men and women, was created to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Locally SSG Ronald Blystone, PFC Jesse Givens, SPC Jessy Pollard and SPC Dylan Reid all of Springfield, SFC Robert Pharris of Seymour, SSG James Mowris of Aurora and PFC Matthew Wilson of Cape Fair are honored in the memorial display.

“The College is pleased to host the exhibit June 2-11, before it travels to St. Genevieve, Mo.,” said Elizabeth Hughes, College of the Ozarks public relations director. “It is truly more than an exhibit. It is a reminder of the price of freedom, and ensures that the individuals who paid that price remain in our hearts and minds.”

The display was designed so that it could travel easily to communities throughout the state for a week at a time. It made its first appearance on September 11, 2011, at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, and has made its way to several Missouri cities since.

The public may view the display at the College of the Ozarks Keeter Center June 2-11, anytime Monday-Sunday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. There is no cost to attend the ceremony on June 2 or view the display.

“The College greatly appreciates Branson Veterans Events and Reunions, Branson Bank and Branson-Hollister Lions Club for helping to bring the display to our community,” said Hughes.
One of the College’s fundamental goals is a Patriotic Goal—to encourage an understanding of American heritage, civic responsibilities, love of country, and willingness to defend it.
For more information on the ceremony or display, please contact Public Relations at (417) 690-2212.

The newest game in town is the National Safety Forces Motorcycle Rally, it is a rally for those heroes we often forget to thank, our Military, Police Officers, Firefighters and EMS workers. Although we are thanking those heroes with this rally it is open to all who would like to come see it. No need for a motorcycle just come by Area ’57 in beautiful Branson and see what is there June 7th – 10th, 2012.

We have live music, motorcycle stunt shows, lots of national vendors and hundreds of motorcycles. This is the first year for this rally and we are trying not to be confused with the local Branson Motorcycle Rally. Both rallies are on consecutive weekends but are raising funds for different charities. The National Safety Forces Motorcycle Rally is donating money to the Wounded Warrior Project and to the Ghost Rider Foundation that assists Military members who have post-traumatic stress disorder. We are expecting riders from as far away as California and Ontario, Canada and have reservations at the Ramada Branson from people from Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Houston, Daytona and many others.

Admission to the rally is free and open to the public. We look forward to seeing you there.

Dan Luttrell
NSFMR
Director

Please join Mount Pleasant Winery for the Friday Wine Down May 18 from 5 – 7pm. This week they are featuring Mary Ann Daversa on keyboard. She was most recently the Musical Director/Keyboardist for The Lennon Sisters Christmas Show. She will be playing the musical arrangements of well-known jazz pianists of the 20th and 21st Century. Come and enjoy great music and great wine!

3125 Green Mtn. Drive
Branson, Mo – 336-9463

Taste of Home Cooking School Coming to Branson, MO!

Culinary Specialist Jamie Dunn

Drop your whisks, grab your friends, and join us for a night of fun at the Taste of Home Cooking School show, presented live at the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson on May 22, 2012 at 7:00pm.

During this interactive event, you’ll watch top culinary expert, Jamie Dunn, demonstrate ten new recipes you can easily recreate in your home. Armed with new culinary tips and techniques, you’ll be sure to impress your family and friends with these sophisticated yet surprisingly easy-to-make dishes.

Not only will you leave the event with new recipe ideas, you’ll also go home with a valuable gift bag. Our ever-popular gift bags include an assortment of products and coupons, including two Taste of Home magazines. And while you’re there, remember to enter for a chance to win one of many exciting door prizes.

Start your evening out right by visiting the expo from 4:00pm-7:00pm. You will have the opportunity to visit with many great businesses and learn more about their products and services.

For more information about the event and how to purchase tickets, visit TasteofHome.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Taste of Home Cooking School is an event you won’t want to miss. Let’s get
cooking!

Tickets are NOW on sale by calling 1-800-505-9355 or 1-417-337-SHOW (7469) or by logging on to www.welkresortbranson.com.

For information contact:
Cinda Bauer
Event Coordinator
The Caring People
164 Corporate Place
Branson, MO 65616
417-334-0131
[email protected]

The Andy Williams Moon River Grill will be open this Sunday, May 13, 2012 to celebrate Mother’s Day!

Come visit us from 11 AM to 8 PM and treat the special lady in your life!

We have a brand new menu featuring your favorites, exciting new entrees, and of course recipes from Andy’s own Mother’s recipe box!

FREE Creme Brulee for all mom’s with purchase of an entree!

Fund Raising Events

Clay Cooper Theatre supports American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event right here in Branson, Missouri. Clay hosts the event with Janet Ellis, radio host of KRZK, 106.9, and together they keep the evening moving along with lots of great activities, a variety of entertainment, and fun! Clay and Tina have been long supporters of this event because both their mothers died of cancer many years ago. The night is filled with community fellowship and educates us all in cancer awareness. As we raise money for the event, we hope you would like to be a part of our success in killing this horrible disease! You can donate and if you will be in town, take part in one of our fun events.