Please join Mount Pleasant Winery for their “Friday Wine Down” this Friday, May 11th from 5 – 7pm. This week The New Acoustic Jazz Trio consisting of Dan McMasters, Steve Black and John Raczka will perform a mixture of music from the 1930’s and 40’s to more current music of today. Drawing heavily on the influence of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France and the music they were playing around Europe in the 30’s and 40’s known as Gypsy Jazz. Bring your friends and Wine Down with great wine and music!

It’s time again!. This week at the Mount Pleasant “Friday Wine Down” join us for 2 hours of great jazz with the renown Bogie Bohinc on guitar, along with Marcus Willett on bass. “Come have a glass of wine…..the music be fine”!!!!!! 5 – 7 pm! Beginning June 1st we will be having music every Friday and Saturday nights. We hope you will join us!

Please join us for the Boys & Girls Club 4th Annual “Junk in the Trunk.” Saturday, May 5th, 2012. This is going to be a huge, multi-vendor, indoor sale with gently used items, crafts, and other handmade goods. Located at 501 Panther St in Forsyth, just behind Forsyth Schools.

WASHINGTON, May 02, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) is proud and honored to salute Mayor Raeanne Pressley and the Board of Aldermen, Branson, Missouri on the occasion of proclaiming Branson as the first Purple Heart City in the State of Missouri.

The public is invited to attend the Proclamation ceremony that will take place at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at City Hall Council Chambers, 110 W. Maddux St., Branson, MO. Already regarded as “The most veteran friendly city in the United States,” by proclaiming itself a “Purple Heart City,” Branson pays special tribute to the almost 2 million dedicated and brave servicemen and women who have either been killed or wounded in combat, and honors not only Missouri’s Purple Heart recipients but all veterans across the nation.

Receiving the Proclamation on behalf of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, will be Everett Kelly, Commander of the MOPH Department of Missouri. Also participating in the ceremony will be Past Department Commander Carl Dietrich and numerous other members of the MOPH from throughout the State of Missouri. In honor of this occasion, Commander Kelly will present the City of Branson a Military Order of the Purple Heart flag to be flown each year on Purple Heart Day, August 7.

The organization now known as the “Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc” (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat wounded veterans and active duty men and women who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, the MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all of its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America’s military history. Most Importantly, through veteran service, they provide comfort and assistance to all veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Through the VAVS Program, MOPH volunteers selflessly provide assistance to hospitalized veterans at VA medical facilities and State Veterans Homes.
SOURCE: Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH)

Spring Handbell Spring Concert Features Local Choirs
By: Turner Brock

College of the Ozarks Handbell Choir, along with the First Presbyterian Church of Branson and the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Kimberling City, will present a spring concert at The Keeter Center Royal Oak Forum on May 3, 7 p.m.

The concert will include sacred pieces, hymns and gospel music.

“We urge you to attend this delightful night of beautiful handbell music,” said Handbell Director Marilyn Droke.

This event is free to the public; seating is first-come, first-serve. For more information, please call the College of the Ozarks Music department at (417) 690-2244.

Join us at Mount Pleasant Winery for our “Friday Wine Down” from 5 – 7pm. This Friday, April 20th, join our duo for “Bossa, Ballads and Blues” featuring Dan McMasters, a guitarist on the Showboat Branson Belle, along with Lou Colbe on bass, formally with the Comets. Enjoy a diverse mix of music ranging from Bossa Nova from Brazil to Blues and Jazz from New Orleans. Call for additional information 417-336-9463; 3125 Green Mtn. Drive.

And Friday, April 27th, we will be celebrating Super Italian Day during our “Friday Wine Down” with live music from 5 – 7 pm; and San Marco Day on Saturday, April 28th with live music from 5 – 7 pm. Details to follow.

Mount Pleasant Winery
31225 Green Mountain Drive
Branson, MO 65616
417-336-9463

Mount Pleasant Winery invites everyone for their weekly “Friday Wine Down” event from 5 pm to 7 pm. This week they are featuring Cindy Blissard, one of the featured female singers at the original Roy Clark Theatre, accompanied on the piano by Terry Laird who is currently performing with the Rankin Brothers classic rock and roll show. You will be surprised at the types of music you will hear. And Mount Pleasant Winery guarantees you a fun filled Friday evening!

Mount Pleasant Winery
31225 Green Mountain Drive
Branson, MO 65616
417-336-9463

Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex is hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive!

3562 Shepherd of the Hills, Branson MO
Friday, March 30, 2012
10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Bloodmobile in parking lot

Go to www.redcrossblood.org, and enter zip code 65616 to find the blood drive listed.

Be sure to bring photo Id or donor card.
Be sure to eat prior to donating blood.
Refreshments served following blood donation.
Thanks for being a blood donor!

Don’t miss the Giant-Screen adventure, Rescue – now playing during the 19th Annual IMAX FilmFest!

Take action and save lives! Explore the difficult & inspiring work of those serving & saving others in the face of natural disasters. Follow a naval commander, two pilots, and a volunteer technician as they train for action. When an earthquake strikes Haiti, the audience is swept along, joining with the worldwide effort.

With every ticket sold to Rescue, a donation is made to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief to help those affected by disasters close to home and anywhere in the world.

Join us at Mount Pleasant Winery for our “Friday Wine Down” from 5 – 7pm. This Friday, March 30th, join our duo for “Bossa, Ballads and Blues featuring Dan McMasters, a guitarist on the Showboat Branson Belle along with Lou Colbe on bass, formally with the Comets. Enjoy a diverse mix of music ranging from Bossa Nova from Brazil to Blues and Jazz from New Orleans. Remember this is a Friday night weekly event so we hope you will put us on your calendar. Call if you need any additional information 417-336-9463; 3125 Green Mtn. Drive, Branson, MO.

College of the Ozarks Aquatics Department, in conjunction with the American Red Cross’ “Learn to Swim” program, will offer swim lessons from April 16-26, 2012, at the Howell W. Keeter Athletic Complex Natatorium.

Lessons are offered to children ages six months through 15 years. The “Parent and Child Aquatics” program, available to students six months to four years old, will begin at 5 p.m. nightly.

The “Learn to Swim” program, available for students ages 5 to 15, will be offered in two different sessions. The first session begins at 5:30 p.m. and the second begins at 6:15 p.m. Participants will be divided into groups based on ability, and each group will have its own instructor.

There are eight lessons in the program, and the registration fee per student is $60. Participants may register beginning Monday, March 26, by calling Associate Professor of Physical Education Bill Keeter at (417) 690-2567 or C of O Athletic Department at (417) 690-2565.