Life-size Herd, Created from Fallen Hedge Branches,
Corralled for Premier Exhibit at Titanic Museum Attraction

– Art is where you find it, and Rachel Wilson discovered hers on the crop-and-cattle farm she and husband Kyle own and operate in Avilla, Missouri. Shaped from hedge-wood sticks found on their property, Wilson’s extraordinary horse sculptures have caught the attention of Missouri gallery owners and collectors. And starting July 1, Wilson’s work will be on public display at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, announces museum attraction owner John Joslyn.

“I think our July visitors, especially the kids, will be surprised, and startled, by the realism and motion that Rachel has captured in her
imaginative, hedge-horse sculptures. Each ‘horse’ has a name and story to tell, from the large plow horse to the smallest of colts,” says
Joslyn. “Six sculptures will be herded together outdoors on Titanic’s grassy knoll, where they’ll appear to be grazing. They are so life-like
they’re bound to slow traffic,” he adds.

“Hedges — or Osage orange trees — were planted in rows and used for fences by early-day farmers,” explains Wilson. “We make gathering
the fallen hedge branches a family affair — my husband drives the truck, and our four kids and I ‘pick up sticks.’ Back in my studio, I wait for the pieces to ‘speak’ to me before I begin to give them the form and personality they dictate.”

Wilson grew up and attended school in Webb City, Missouri, where she learned the basics of drawing and painting. While in high school, she
entered a painting in and attended Arts Encounter 96, an art competition and exhibit sponsored by William Woods University. Her “Tomato Still Life” took first place. In her senior year, she was awarded the Thomas Hart Benton Art Scholarship by Missouri Southern State University, where she majored in studio arts. After a couple of years, she took time off to start a family. Wilson is currently enrolled at MSSU as a non-traditional student, in full pursuit of her artistic dreams. To view Wilson’s deer and bear sculptures and examples of her abstract, still-life and realism-style paintings, visit the artist’s website: rachelwilsonart.com.

Titanic Historical Fact: Two famous artists sailed aboard Titanic’s maiden voyage: Paul Romaine Chevre and Francis Millet. Chevre, a French sculptor, was on his way to Ottawa, Canada, for the unveiling of one of his statues. Millet, an American painter, sculptor, poet and
journalist, was returning home from vacationing in Europe. Both men were celebrated artists who enjoyed broad respect and admiration. Their paths took a sudden turn the night of the collision: One stayed the course, but the other lost his way.

The World’s Largest TITANIC Museum Attraction is the #1 permanent year-round family destination in Branson, Missouri. In operation for 4 years, it has welcomed aboard more than 2,200,000 million guests. The 17,000 square-foot ship-shaped structure is built half-scale to the
original Titanic and towers more than 100 feet above its anchored position on Highway 76. A 90-minute self-guided or optional audio tour covers 20 galleries on two decks displaying more than 400 priceless artifacts that once belonged to Titanic passengers or crew.

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Titanic-World’s Largest Museum Attraction
Ticket Information: 417/334-9500 • Toll Free: 800/381-7670
Located in the heart of Branson, 3235 76 Country Blvd & Hwy 165

Branson, MO (May 19, 2010)-  Skaggs Cancer Center is helping raise money for American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life with a cookout, Friday, May 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Kelly’s Healing Garden, in front of the cancer center.

Enjoy a bake sale, silent auction, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and dessert all for a minimum donation of $5.  All proceeds benefit Relay for Life Taney and Stone Counties.

PRESS RELEASE
March 18, 2010

Meghan Connell, Director
15366 US Hwy 160 * Forsyth, MO 65653
800-825-8545 x8062 * Fax 417-546-6433
[email protected]
www.giftofhopeinc.org

Gift of Hope to Host Spring Fundraiser

Forsyth, MO, March 18, 2010 – Gift of Hope, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, will host a Spring Bowl a Thon fundraiser on April 11th at 2pm at Dogwood Lanes in Branson.
“This event allows area businesses, organizations and individuals a chance to give to a good cause as well as provide a child an opportunity to bowl, win prizes and have some fun.”
“The Spring Bowl a Thon fundraiser will provide Gift of Hope the necessary funds to continue coordinating programs like, Backpack Club, School Readiness Fair and Christmas Share. All of these programs benefit the children and families in need, in Taney County.” Connell said.
There are approximately 200 children a week in Taney County who receive food to take home on the weekend in the Backpack Club.
Connell is seeking donations, sponsorships and community support for the Gift of Hope programs. “This is the time to give, if you can, because there are children and families that need your help, more than ever.”
For information about Gift of Hope, Inc., and the Spring Bowl a Thon, please call 417-546-8062 or visit the website at www.giftofhopeinc.org.

The Branson Tri-Lakes Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter pancake breakfast on Saturday, April 3rd from 7:30 to 10:00 am.  The breakfast will be held at Applebee’s at 1836 W. Hwy 76 in Branson.  All children 4 and younger eat for free, and adult tickets are only $5.  Everyone should come hungry, because the pancakes are all you can eat!  All proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the Pregnancy Life Line as part of the Kiwanis Club’s efforts to assist young children.  Walk-in guests are welcome, or tickets are available from any Kiwanian.  Call 417-335-9231 for tickets and more details. The Easter Bunny will be on hand to visit with the children and pictures by Swift Shots are available for only $5.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.  Keeping with this mission, club members are busy throughout the year carrying out much-needed service projects here in the Tri-Lakes area.  The pancake breakfast, benefitting the Pregnancy Life Line, directly supports the children and families of our community.  Previous breakfasts generated nearly $2,000 for charitable contributions.    Thanks to the generous support of Applebee’s, Bob Evans and Golden Corral, who are donating the supplies for the pancake breakfast, the Branson Tri-Lakes Kiwanis Club is helping to bring some Easter fun to our community’s kids and their families.

The Branson Tri-Lakes Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday at noon at Mazzio’s Italian Eatery.  If you are interested in more information about the Branson Tri-Lakes Kiwanis or if you would like to join the club as it serves the children of the world, visit www.bransonkiwanis.com.

The BHS jazz students competed in the MSU Festival last weekend.  The 2 o’clock Big Band earned first place in the 5A division.  Third place was awarded to the 2 o’clock Combo.  The Coffee House Jazz Band was awarded second place in the competition.

The students will travel to the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival to be held April 17 on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.  The Big Band and the Coffee House Band will be recorded and participate in a clinic led by a professional jazz musician.

The students are under the direction of John Kerley.

Our community’s success is based on the power of everyone working together towards a common goal. When we do our part, we help make this community that much stronger. We can all agree that resources like clean water, good schools, new businesses that provide year round employment, safe roads and programs that provide free hot meals to our schools, temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), and nutrition programs for women, infants and children (WIC) are vital to our community. But how can we make sure that our neighbors are guaranteed all these fundamental services? It’s simple. Fill out your form.The 10 short questions that make up the 2010 Census survey will be mailed out to all households in Taney and Stone Counties beginning mid-February thru late March. We all must do our part to encourage friends, family and co-workers to fill out and return the survey.

Here is why completing the 10 short questionnaires are so important:

Taney County had a return rate on 2000 Census forms of only 60%; Stone County 58%. The overall average for the State of Missouri was 69%. The low return rates caused our counties and citizens to miss out on dollars and opportunities that are essential to our expansion and sustainability as a community.

Missouri will lose 1.3 million dollars in the next decade for every 100 people who do not complete and return the census form. That breaks down to $1,300 per person per year over the next ten years.

Census data collected also determines the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. As the population shifts across the country, states become at risk of loosing seats or have the opportunity of gaining seats.

The State of Missouri is at risk of losing one of the nine congressional seats we currently have. At Missouri’s highest point, we held 16 congressional seats. This potential loss of legal representation will have an adverse affect on policies and procedures for the State of Missouri as well as the counties of Taney and Stone.

“Filling out the forms is the best thing that you can do for your community and your family!”  2010 Census: 10 minutes, 10 questions, 10 year

Branson High School Performing Arts gave their premier performance of its production of “West Side Story” on Feb. 25. The musical is a love story set in the 1950’s focusing on the rivalry between two teenage street gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.  The original production opened on Broadway in 1957.

Remaining scheduled performances of West Side Story include February 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. and a matinee on February 28 at 2 p.m.  All tickets are $6 and may be purchased at the door on the date of the performance.  Tickets may be reserved by sending an e-mail to the following address: [email protected] Reserved tickets may be picked up at the door prior to the performance.

West Side Story is under the direction of Debbie Corbin (drama), Billy Gowers (chorus) and John Kerley (orchestra).

Editors Note: Saw the opening performance. These kids and everyone involved with the show have worked real hard and put in lots of hours and it shows. This is wonderful entertainment. Don’t miss it.

Branson, MO- Branson area residents and visitors will have the opportunity to spend an evening with several FLW fishing pros in Branson. The dinner event is called “Meet The Pros” and will be held in the Life Center of First Baptist Church in Branson on Friday, February 26th at 6:00 pm. This event will take place prior to the FLW Tour on Table Rock Lake scheduled for March 3-6th, 2010.

The event will feature fishing tips and life stories from five pro fishermen which include: Jay Yelas, Mark Rose, Scott Martin, Clarke Wendlandt and Glenn Chappelear. Numerous door prizes will be given away.

Jay Yelas has fished 201 events with 141 money finishes and ranks 6th in all-time money winnings. Yelas has 52 top 10 finishes. He currently is ranked 17th place on the FLW Tour.

Mark Rose is a 9 year pro. He has had one tournament win with 17 Top 10 finishes.

Scott Martin was the youngest pro-angler in history to win an FLW Tour Event. He has been a Top 10 tournament winner seventeen times.

Clark Wendlandt is a seventeen year professional fisherman. He has had 31 top ten finishes and over $1,000,000 in career earnings. He was the 2008 FLW Tour Angler of the Year and has had 31 top ten finishes.

Glenn Chappelear is a professional fisherman and inspirational speaker. He is the founder of Sportsmen’s Outreach. Glen speaks at sportsmen banquets and participates in at least 11 professional tournaments each year.

“This will be one event outdoor enthusiasts will not want to miss. We are extremely fortunate to have these men here for the banquet and the FLW tournament,” said Grant Woods, one of the event organizers. “Due to the popularity of this event we have expanded the number of people who can attend by moving the dinner to the Life Center.”

Outdoor enthusiast will also find outdoor booths added to the event this year showcasing products and services geared to the outdoorsmen. Any fishing or outdoors related business can still get booth space for the event.

Due to the limited seating, reservations are required and should be made as soon as possible. The dinner will cost only $8.00 for adults. Tables of 8 can be purchased for $60.00. Reservations can be made by calling 417-334-7437

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Skaggs Regional Medical Center Sleep Disorders Center invites you to attend a FREE presentation on “Sleep Deprivation-When it’s a Serious Problem”, Wednesday, January 27th, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Kimberling City United Methodist Church, 57 Kimberling City Center Lane, Kimberling City, MO.

Following the FREE presentation, join the Kimberling City United Methodist Church for a buffet style dinner, by donation.  For more information call Kimberling City United Methodist Church at (417) 739-4395.

Coming in Spring 2010 – Swing into Spring Community Fair

Brought to you by the Branson / Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB with site sponsor Factory Merchants Branson

NOW RESERVING Booth Space !!

Outdoor Activities
Vendor Area
Food
Stage Activities
All day fun for the entire family!

Saturday,, April 10th at Factory Merchants Branson