In honor of the twelve honeymoon couples – Titanic Branson and Titanic Pigeon Forge will host a Royal Wedding on the $1 million Grand Staircase – potential brides will submit their videos explaining why they would like to be married on the Grand Staircase. Titanic Crew will pick three brides for each location and the web viewer will pick (by voting) which couple will be married on the Grand Staircase. Plus the web viewers will pick her dress, flowers, cake and honeymoon destination. A very active web component to the honor bestowed.

Contest begins August 1st, 2011

Big Cedar invites kids ages 7-13 to come learn basic camping skills at this fun day camp held in the great outdoors. The kids will get to pitch a tent, build a fire, enjoy archery, rifle shooting, identify plants and animals, play games, and sing a new song. Transportation to and from Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, admission, morning snack, campfire lunch, and a drawstring backpack full of goodies are included.

Meet at Big Cedar’s Guest Services at 8:45am. These camps take place on Saturday’s from 9:00am – 2:00pm and are $50 per participant. Please call Guest Services at 1-800-225-6343 for reservations or more information. Reservations are required.

The tour, presented by Neighbors & Friends of Table Rock Lake, will take place December 2-3.
Come and explore a collection of picturesque homes during the 11th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes presented by Neighbors & Friends of Table Rock Lake, Inc. The tour will take place December 2-3, 2011, and give visitors the opportunity to peek inside a variety of Table Rock Lake’s unique private residences, all dressed for the holidays. The homes, covering a variety of architectural styles, will be available for tour between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased ($15 per person) in advance beginning November 1 at Harter House, Peoples Bank, Kimberling Area Library, Metropolitan Bank and Table Rock Community Bank in Kimberling City and Country Mart and Stone County Bank in Branson West. On the days of the tour, tickets may be purchased at the headquarters at Kimberling Area Library or at the featured homes.

OZARK MOUNTAIN LEGACY LAUNCHES YOUTH CHARTER INITIATIVE

Citizens from across OMC gather to discuss our preferred Youth Culture in OMC

Over twenty passionate individuals from across Ozark Mountain Country gathered last week to discuss our ideal Youth Culture to help our area youth succeed. Teachers, coaches, pastors, police, parents, superintendents, young people and young at heart gathered at the God and Country Welcome Center, in Branson, with one common goal: to deliver our Ozark Mountain Legacy Values to our next generation – in a way that speaks the language of our youth, shows them that we really care and invites our youth to participate in this important community process.

Inspired by the book, The Youth Charter – by William Damon, Jory Rolf, Legacy Administrator, envisioned our community coming together to be more intentional and cooperative in helping our young people: build a stronger sense of purpose, experience a greater sense of community and community values and to become the most effective future leaders of our area and country.

The YOUTH CHARTER is an approach that brings together all adults who are in positions to influence young people – parents, teachers, town officials, police, clergy, sports coaches, club leaders, counselors, news media, employers and our area youth – in a quest to cooperatively define our community’s ideal standards for successful youth development.

The next Legacy Youth Charter Meeting will be July 21 from 6:30-8:00pm at the YMCA in Hollister. The Legacy Youth Charter Catalyst Team invites you to participate in this very important and impactful next step meeting. Young people are invited to attend.

For more information visit www.ozarkmountainlegacy.org

To RSVP, please call 417/598-1314 or email: [email protected].

College of the Ozarks invites the public to attend the 22nd annual Honor America on Sunday, June 26. 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 Andrews, 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 host a new slate of entertainers. Before the sky lights up with fireworks, the cast from Red, Hot… and Blue! will perform American classics from the 40s, 50s and 60s. The Petersen Family Band of Branson will entertain attendees with bluegrass and southern gospel music.

“Patriotism is a main focus at College of the Ozarks, and Honor America is a great way to celebrate that,” said Andrews. “I can’t think of a better way to kick off the Fourth of July holiday 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. So, please join us as we honor America.”

After dark, an elaborate fireworks display will conclude the event. Honor America is free and is open to the public, but do not forget your lawn chairs. Please do not bring alcohol or tobacco products, fireworks or pets onto campus. For more information, please call the Public Relations office at (417) 690-2212.

The Lennon Brothers have soaring harmonies, swingin’ sounds, and side-splitting fun! The talented Lennon Brothers – Dan, Joe, and Bill – and Bill’s wife, lead vocalist and arranger Gail Lennon, deliver the smooth rhythms and cool tunes of live swing music of the 1940’s and 50’s, backed up by the sizzlin’ Lennon Brothers Band.

The Lennon Brothers Morning Show gracefully presents America’s cherished musical sounds. “We love bringing ‘swing’ into the lives of today’s generation as well as to the generation that fell in love listening to these songs,” says Gail Lennon.

One night only at Moon River Grill July 1st at 9:15pm.

Branson Gospel Music Revival To Be Held At Tri-Lakes Center Next Week
Four-day event to include Dino, His Song and others and will benefit Convoy Of Hope Disaster Relief

TheBranson Gospel Music Revival (formerly Convention) is returning to Branson, Missouri for the third time next week. The four-day annual event heads to a new venue this year, the Tri-Lakes Center, 2527 State Highway 248 in Branson.

Taking place Tuesday, June 28 – Friday, July 1, the gospel celebration consists of daily matinee and evening concerts featuring approximately 75 Gospel musicians from across the United States.
Dino, HisSong, Beyond the Ashes, Kenny Bishop, Ann Downing, Mike Allen, The Williamsons, Praise Incorporated, 2nd Generation, Voices of Glory, Jay Stone Singers, McMillan and Life, Rod Burton, Lynda Lynn, Sunday Edition, Mystery Men, and more will be part of the Revival, which organizers say puts the spotlight on the gospel message.

Also returning will be the popular SGN Scoops Diamond Awards, as well as the Tribute to Albert Brumley and “Piano Praise” segments. Additionally, a “New Faces” afternoon concert geared toward teens and those “young at heart” has been added. A Branson GMR Prayer Team, who will pray with audience members and artists alike during the week, is a new addition this year as well.
“We continue to learn and grow and are striving to make this an even more enjoyable event, one that continues to attract new people to this great city every summer,” co-owner and host Rod Burton stated. “Meanwhile, our focus continues to be on fostering a time of refreshing and encouragement for our artists as well as the audience.”

Having won the “Pacesetter of the Year” award from AbsolutelyGospel.com for the second consecutive year, Burton and his wife and partner, Kelly Burton, look forward to building on the success of what they still consider a very new event.

“It has been a true honor to receive some Gospel industry accolades,” Kelly mentions. “What we hope that sort of recognition translates to is more people coming to hear the truly fantastic artists who gather here with us in Branson every summer, so they can receive the message of faith being offered through gospel music.”

On that note, the couple has announced that Wednesday, June 29, will be “Disaster Relief Night” at the Revival, with a portion of all ticket and program book proceeds going to aid victims of Branson and Hollister area flooding as well as the recent catastrophic tornado in Joplin, Missouri. Donations will be made to the Assemblies of God relief organization Convoy of Hope, which has already provided substantial assistance throughout the region.

Concerts are scheduled daily Tuesday, June 28 through Friday, July 1 from noon-4:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Ticket prices start at $18.00 per day for adults and can be purchased by calling the Tri Lakes Center at 1-800-785-1550 or 417-336-0219.

More information about Branson Gospel Music Revival can be found at www.BransonGMR.com or by calling 615-530-3726.

The Branson Arts Council and First Presbyterian Church under the auspices of the Missouri Arts Council invite you to a special concert at First Presbyterian Church’s Old Stone Church located at Fourth and Pacific Streets at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 23, 2011.

Nicholas Susi, age 24, has studied piano since the age of 9. He is a graduate of the Community Music School of Webster University in St.Louis, the University of Kansas and the University of Michigan. Nicholas has won several awards and scholarships including a grant from the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation, which funded his travel, study and performance of French music at the Cite Universitaire de Paris in 2009. He has performed with the Omaha Symphony, St. Louis Chamber Orchestra, the Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City and the Wiener Residenz Orchester in Austria.

He will be performing Douze Etudes d’Execution Transcendante, S. 139 by Franz Liszt. This is a once in a lifetime performance here in Branson. After a lovely dinner out, come hear this young artist perform this timeless piece.

Individuals interested in kicking off their Independence Day festivities a little early may be interested in attending Honor America at College of the Ozarks. The old-fashioned patriotic celebration takes place this Sunday, June 26, and costs nothing to attend.

It begins at 4:30 p.m. with a barbecue. Attendees may purchase barbecue items on site or bring their own picnics. There will be kids activities, including bubbles, tinker toys, face painting and more.

The musical entertainment begins at 5 p.m. with The Petersens, who will perform a tribute to bluegrass and southern gospel. Branson’s Red, Hot…& Blue! will take attendees on a musical journey through the eras, performing 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s tunes beginning at 6:30 p.m.

A special patriotic program will begin at 8 p.m., followed by a patriotic concert performed by Red, Hot…&Blue!. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display.

The public is invited to attend, and admission and parking are free. Honor America takes place on the College of the Ozarks campus at Lake Honor lawn. Lawn chairs and/or blankets are encouraged. Tobacco, alcohol, pets and fireworks are prohibited. For information, please contact the Public Relations Office at (417) 690-2212.

Branson Stars Set June 26, 2011 Joplin Benefit Concert & Telethon

(Branson, Mo. 6-14-2011) “Send donations for Joplin now” is the message the Branson community wants to deliver on June 26, 2011, during the live concert and telethon being staged by the Southwest Missouri town known as the “live music show capital of the world”. The live benefit concert will be at The Mansion Theatre and tickets are on sale now for a minimum donation of $50 by calling 1-866-707-4100 or visiting JoplinBenefit.com.
As of this date the jam-packed night of special entertainment will include performances and appearances from stars and celebrities including:
Jim Stafford
Shoji Tabuchi
Liverpool Legends
Carrie April Tillis
Hughes Brothers Show
Todd Oliver & his talking dogs
The Lennon Sisters
Baldknobbers Jamboree
Acrobats of China
The Duttons of America’s Got Talent
Buck Trent
J. Eddie Peck from the Young & the Restless
Barbara Fairchild
Grand Country Music Hall
God and Country Theatre
Pierce Arrow Theatre
3 Redneck Tenors of America’s Got Talent
The Haygoods
Jim Barber of Hamner-Barber Variety Show
Tom Mullica as Red Skelton
Legends In Concert
Kirby VanBurch
Showboat Branson Belle
Doug Gabriel
Sons of the Pioneers
Circle B Cowboy Show
The Brett Family
Branson Variety Theatre
Legends of Kung Fu
Presley’s Jubilee…and more!
Joplin, Missouri was hit by an EF5 tornado that brought winds exceeding 200 mph, destroying over 8,000 homes, 400 businesses, 5 schools, and St John’s Regional Medical Center (Mercy Health Joplin). “Joplin is a great neighbor and folks there need for their community to be made whole again,” said Ann Stafford, event organizer and co-owner of the Jim Stafford Theatre in Branson. “Branson’s stars and our local businesses and volunteers want to help that process happen. We believe assisting St John’s Mercy Hospital to operate while rebuilding is vital to the stability and health of the entire community both economically and spiritually. We also believe that as musicians and show people, who make our living from the arts, that it is important to the children of Joplin to also have their music programs put back in place.” Proceeds from the concert and telethon will go to St John’s Mercy Hospital and to the Joplin Schools’ music programs.
St John’s Mercy Health Systems has committed to keeping all 2200 employees on the payroll indefinitely. “That’s a big undertaking for a non-profit,” adds Stafford, “and essential to the economic vitality of the entire Joplin community, and in fact to Branson as well as to Missouri.”
The Joplin High School’s loss in musical instruments alone exceeds $280,000. “Our goal is to reach out to everyone to donate instruments or to purchase instruments for the kids through a silent auction being held on the 26th during the live concert. There’s a list of specific instruments needed at JoplinBenefit.com,” said Jim Barber, President of The League of Theatre Owners & Show Producers as well as co-star of the Hamner-Barber Variety Show & Theatre. “We believe that by keeping the music alive in the schools, the lives of the children of Joplin will be enriched during this time of recovery.” Instruments may be dropped off at the College of the Ozarks Christian Ministries offices, The Mansion Theatre, any Palen Music Stores and Hoover Music Store in Springfield, Missouri or at any of the Mercy Health Systems offices.
The show will be broadcast live via television, radio and the internet. As of press time the following had announced their air times:
KOAM-TV and FOX 14 in Joplin, Missouri from 7-10pm Central Time
RFD-TV network from 7-10pm
Access channels on Mediacom stations through the Midwest,
CW affiliates in Springfield MO, Wichita KS, and Fayetteville AR; ABC affiliate in Fayetteville AR; the NBC affiliate in Victoria TX; and the CBS affiliate in Greenville MS.
The Branson Cares Benefit will be available via satellite for television broadcast from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. KOAM-TV and Fox 14 in Joplin are producing the show and have graciously donated the equipment, labor, and the satellite services for this event. The event will also be closed captioned provided by Caption Solutions of Lawrence KS. (Metro Sports of Kansas City and Freebird TV of Olathe, KS provided the production truck and satellite truck, respectively).
The League of Branson Theater Owners and Show Producers (The Branson Show League) is producing the Joplin Benefit Concert & Telethon presented by Branson Cares. Other Sponsors of the event are KOAM-TV, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB, a variety of area businesses, and numerous volunteers.
KOAM, in providing the live broadcast of the show and facilitating the satellite uplink, is making it possible for the telethon to be shown in communities throughout the country, with those station placement efforts currently underway. Viewers are advised to call their local TV stations to check the schedule to see if their hometown stations are airing the Joplin Benefit Concert and Telethon presented by Branson Cares.

Donations to the Joplin relief effort may be made to:
Branson Cares Joplin Benefit
c/o The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers
Post Office Box 5083
Branson, Missouri 65615
Or by visiting JoplinBenefit.com