Ralph Foster Museum To Host Area Appreciation- February 1-11, 2012
By: Chelsea Kliethermes

The Ralph Foster Museum at College of the Ozarks will host area appreciation with free admission from February 1-11, for the residents of Boone, Carroll, Christian, Greene, Stone and Taney counties.

The Ralph Foster Museum is dedicated to the history of the Ozarks region. The museum is named in honor of the late Ralph D. Foster (radio pioneer and philanthropist) the museum houses thousands of objects representing archaeology, history, firearms, antiques, numismatics, natural history, fine arts, geology and mineralogy.

Among other things, the museum houses the original Beverly Hillbillies car, Music Hall of Fame, and Rosie O’Neil’s Kewpie Doll Collection and one of the largest gun collections in the country.

The Ralph Foster Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For further information, please contact the Museum at 417-690-3407.

BRANSON, MO – Over 25 different countries will be represented in Branson at the 2012 See The World in Branson Music Fest. This 1st annual event will be held at the Welk Resort April 25 – 26, 2012 and will provide a sampling of the internationally flavored entertainment that is found in Branson.

Attendees will have the opportunity to stroll through booths in the Marketplace tent, each representing Countries from around the World. Experience the costumes, history and culture as well as participate in games, prizes and autograph sessions.

The highlight of this two-day festival is the Music Showcase. Close to 20 different Branson shows will take the stage each day at 2PM in the Welk Theatre lending the audience to the greatest exposure of non-stop, back-to-back, entertainment on a Branson stage.

See The World In Branson is an area wide festival highlighting the vast amount of Internationally inspired entertainment, attractions, and cuisine available to visitors in the Branson area. See The World In Branson is held annually during the months of April and May. It is one of the special events featured during our Ozark Mountain Spring.

Admission to the Marketplace Tent is free. Tickets to See The World Music Fest can be made by contacting a Branson Receptive or by calling the Welk Resort at 800-808-9355.

Nation on alert as World Attention Turns to Historic Clash of
Man vs. Ice Competition in Branson, Missouri
Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5

Branson, Missouri – January, 2012. Thirty of the U.S. National Ice Carving Association’s champion Ice Carvers are coming to Branson to blast, drill and torch three-hundred pound chunks of ice into amazing works of art starting at 9 a.m. Saturday , Feb. 4 and Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 at the Titanic Museum Attraction’s outdoor staging center, announces Titanic owner, John Joslyn.

This marks the first-time ever that the NICA has chosen the city of Branson for it’s annual world-class championship competition and it promises to be the biggest and best in the Association’s 25-year history. The two-day family event will be hosted by the Titanic Museum Attraction outdoor entertainment area. This outdoor event is FREE to the public.

Due to anticipated interest, visitors are advised to arrive early for the best views to watch all of the ice carving action. “Last year’s regional-only competition at Titanic Museum Attraction drew more than 10,000 people. This year, the NICA is projecting a 15,000 to 20,000 visitor turnout for the grand Nationals,” says John Joslyn, owner of Titanic Museum Attraction. Sculptors will be competing for a prize purse valued at over $25,000, – the largest to date – and for the possible chance to represent the United States in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia.

“At 3 p.m. Sunday, February 5, an official National Ice Carving Association judging panel will announce the winners, so stick around to see if your favorite carver is among them,” adds Joslyn.

The Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri is open during this National Event at 9 a.m., passengers may purchase museum tickets online at www.titanicbranson.com or call 800-381-7670 .

(Branson Museum Attraction will be closed January 16-19 for a new “Molly” Brown exhibit installation)

NOW SHOWING—Special Exhibit on the “Iron Lady” Featured at Branson Meadows Cinema for “The Iron Lady” Movie Premiere January 20-22

“The Iron Lady” is making a second appearance in the Ozarks—this time in the form of a movie. The real “Iron Lady,” Lady Margaret Thatcher, made her first appearance in 1997, visiting College of the Ozarks to speak to students and community members about “Free Enterprise and Work Ethic.”

To celebrate the life of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the premiere of the movie “The Iron Lady,” a special exhibit will be on display at the Branson Meadows Cinema January 20-22.

Full of historical pictures, memorabilia, and photographs of Lady Thatcher at College of the Ozarks, the exhibit tells the story of Great Britain’s first and only female Prime Minister and her special visit to the Ozarks.

All patrons to the cinema are invited to view the exhibit, located in the cinema’s lobby, at no charge.
Following the movie’s premiere weekend, the exhibit will be displayed at the College of the Ozarks Keeter Center.

For more information on the “Iron Lady” exhibit, please contact the College of the Ozarks Public Relations Office at (417) 690-2212. To find out show times of “The Iron Lady” at the Branson Meadows Cinema, please call (417) 332-0464 or click on the link below.

Branson Meadows Schedule for January 20-26, 2012.

Branson’s 3rd Annual Gong Show – February 22, 2012 – Benefit for the Branson’s Homebound Senior Food Program

Don’t miss the third annual Branson Gong Show set for Wednesday, February 22 at 6:49pm at the Hamner Barber Theatre. This hilarious show serves as a benefit for the Branson Senior Center and the Meals on Wheels Program. Branson entertainer Jim Barber will once again serve as host with celebrity judges. Click on the flyer below for all the details.

If you wish to audition to be in the show, try-outs are scheduled for Monday, January 23 from 5:00-8:00pm at the Branson Senior Center.

Call 335-4801 with questions.

Audition Information

Gong Show Flyer

Sponsored by the Branson Parks and Recreation, The Vacation Channel, and Castle Rock Resort and Waterpark.

Art Demonstration by Artist Don Barnes at Mount Pleasant Winery – February 4, 2012

We are having an art demonstration here at Mount Pleasant Winery on Feb 4th, by renowned artist Don Barnes, from Denver Colorado. The time is 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and we will be selling wine by the glass for this event.

About Don Barnes

Don Barnes was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he lived until age twelve. He has lived in Kansas City, Los Angeles, Dallas and Denver. The last is where he met his wife and has made his home since 1976.
Although he had always been artistic, Don didn’t begin painting until 1993. His first show was a solo in 2005, which sold seven of fifteen paintings. Since that time his work has shown in galleries throughout the West. He has been juried into several national shows and has been invited three times to participate in the prestigious Nomadas del Arte’.
His friendship with gallery owner Ernest Fuller allowed Don to study the works of Rob Moore, Hollis Williford, Julie Chapman, Debora Paris and other well known artists. Likewise, with the cooperation of David Cook Fine Art, he spent much time examining the works of the Broadmoor Academy artists – John F. Carlson, Sven Birger Sandzen, Peppino Mangravite, the Magafan Sistes, and others. He feels that the ability to draw from this broad knowledge offers unique possibilities for his art.

Artists Statement
For me, it’s all about technique and experimentation. I love to try new ways of expressing what I see. Each painting comes with a new set of challenges. The excitement is in breaking them down and turning out something that communicates with someone else.

Resume’
2010 – Nomadas del Arte’- Southwest Gallery, Dallas (Invitation)
Visions of the Flint Hills, Buttonwood Gallery, Kansas City (Jury)
Russian Night in Taos, Taos Art Museum, Taos (Jury)
2009 – Nomadas del Arte’ – Southwest Gallery, Dallas (Invitation)
Plein Air Expanded – Republic Plaza, Denver (Jury)
2008 – Nomadas del Arte’- Sage Creek Gallery, Taos (Invitation)
Winter Miniatures- Rob Foster Gallery, Denver (Jury)
Plein Air Artists Colorado Annual Exhibition – Abend Gallery, Denver (Jury)
Denver Plein Air Arts Festival – Golden Triangle Museum District, Denver (Jury)
2007 – Solo show – Compass Bank, Denver (Invitation)
Denver Plein Air Arts Festival – Golden Triangle Museum District, Denver (Jury)
Plein Air Artists Colorado Annual Exhibition – Abend Gallery, Denver (Jury)
2006 – Solo Show – Lone Tree Library, Lone Tree (Invitation)
Plein Air New Mexico Special Exhibition at Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center – Grants
Plein Air New Mexico Annual Show – The Mission Gallery, Grants
2005 – Solo Show – Saxby’s, Denver

College of the Ozarks and First Place! Invites Community to Hear Dr. Hal Urban Speak on “Old Fashioned Goodness” January 12, 2012
By: Alexis Schields

*****Time Change Update 1/5/2012******

To accommodate more educators, the time for Hal Urban’s presentation on “Old-fashioned Goodness” has been changed to 3:30-5 p.m. on Jan. 12.

College of the Ozarks and First PLACE! invite all area teachers, administrators, support staff and community members to hear from Dr. Hal Urban on Thursday, Jan. 12, from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Royal Oak Forum of The Keeter Center. This special event will inspire attendees with what Dr. Urban describes as “old-fashioned goodness.”

“Our community is doing a great job at fostering good character in young people,” said C of O Dean of Character Education Sue Head. “Dr. Urban’s message will resonate with these individuals who are dedicated to making a difference.”

His message focuses on what good character means and on “old-fashioned goodness,” which includes having a positive attitude, respect and kindness, thankfulness, honesty and integrity, life-long learning and hard work. While Dr. Urban says that he may not have a “magic formula” or “quick and easy” way to becoming rich and powerful, he can offer a time-honored formula for living a life of meaning, friendship and joy.

Dr. Urban was a teacher for 36 years and taught full time at Woodside and San Carlos High Schools and part time at the University of San Francisco. In addition to his numerous accolades, he won a “Distinguished Teacher Award” at San Carlos High and was “Teacher of the Year” twice at Woodside High. In October of 2005, Dr. Urban received the “Sanford N. McDonnell Lifetime Achievement Award in Character Education” at the Character Education Partnership annual conference.

Launched in 2005, First PLACE!, is a partnership among The Keeter Center for Character Education at College of the Ozarks and the public schools of Stone and Taney counties to foster a community where character is highly valued and intentionally taught. As part of First PLACE!, The Keeter Center for Character Education offers materials and workshops that aid in character education and breaking the poverty cycle.

This workshop is free of charge and open to the public. To register, please contact The Keeter Center for Character Education, (417) 690-2242.

Ozark Steel Guitar Association Christmas Party

It will be on Sunday, December 11 from 1 – 5 p.m. It’s gonna be a GREAT one! I hope you’re making plans to be there!

There will be great steel guitar MUSIC and great FELLOWSHIP and great FOOD. Like past years it will be a potluck dinner. The OzSGA will provide the turkey and ham and I bet you know what I’m going to say next, right? You guessed it!!! And all you wonderful friends are the ones that add all the salads, vegetables, casseroles, and desserts!!!!

Every dinner we’ve had, has always been really special! Would you mind replying to this email and let us know if you’re coming and what you are bringing to add to the SUPER DELICIOUS POT-LUCK DINNER!

Event will take place at the Branson Community Center at 201 Compton Drive.

Invitation To Join the College for Christmas Card to the Community

By: Jacob McCauley

College of the Ozarks will present Christmas Card to the Community on December 11, at 7 p.m. in the Williams Memorial Chapel. The event is a traditional, Christian worship service that features Christmas music performed by the College’s Chapel Choir, Chorale and Handbell Choir.

Themed “Emmanuel-God With Us,” the service will feature hymns and traditional carols with opportunities for congregational participation. The music will be accompanied by a live orchestra and combined C of O choirs.

The program also will include scripture readings and student solos. “At Christmas Card to the Community we have the opportunity to combine the major ensembles for a total of over 100 student musicians singing and playing,” said Dr. Bruce Gerlach, professor of music.

College of the Ozarks invites the public to share in this annual Christmas service. A light reception with cookies, fruitcake and hot cider will immediately follow the service in the Fellowship Hall of the Chapel. Tickets are not required; seating is limited. For more information please contact Public Relations at 417-690-2212.

Jazz Christmas Concert at the Keeter Center
By: Matt Farmer

College of the Ozarks Music Department will present a Christmas jazz concert on Tuesday, December 6, at 7 p.m., in the Royal Oak Forum of The Keeter Center. This free concert is open to the public and will feature the C of O Jazz Band and Ensemble.

The event will feature arrangements of popular favorites like Vince Guaraldi’s “Charlie Brown Christmas” and traditional Christmas songs, including “Jingle Bells.”

“The Jazz Band really enjoys the Christmas season,” says C of O junior music major Andy Petry. “The students have passion for Christmas music and will put on a great concert for the community.”

No tickets required. For more information, call the Music department at 417-690-2244.