The 8th Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, presented by the Branson Christian Business Men’s Committee, will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 from 6:45a.m. to 8:30a.m. at the Tri-Lakes Center, located at 2527 State Hwy. 248 in Branson, Missouri. The public is invited.

Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley will host this year’s event, held in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer, as an opportunity for guests to unite in fellowship as they pray, enjoy breakfast, and listen to an inspirational keynote address.

This year, the Branson Christian Business Men’s Committee presents keynote speaker Gil A. Stricklin, founder and CEO of Marketplace Chaplains USA and International. Stricklin’s Dallas-based company provides cross-denominational, multi-ethnic chaplain services to businesses nationwide as an employee care program. Marketplace Chaplains has 2,388 corporate chaplains caring for 524,814 employees and their family members in 767 cities in 44 states, as well as in Mexico, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and most recently, in the United Kingdom.

A highlight of the breakfast is the announcement of the 2009 Don Gabriel Kingdom Builder Award recipient. The award is given each year to someone in the community who exemplifies the love of Jesus Christ through their work in improving our community for the glory of God. Past recipients include Don Gabriel, Cliff Wagner, Larry VanGilder, John Baltes, Edd Akers, Barbara Brezavar and Brad Swafford.

Tickets for the 8th Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast are $25.00 each or $175.00 for a table of 8, prior to the day of the event. Tickets may be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis at the door on the day of the event for $27.50 each. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (417) 334-6308 or visit www.bransoncbmc.com.
The Branson Christian Business Men’s Committee is the local chapter of the national Christian Business Men’s Committee, a movement of men dedicated to prayer and sharing the gospel and hope of Jesus Christ.

Baskin Robbins Ice Cream $.31 a scoop

Wednesday, April 29, 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Baskin Robbins, IMAX Food Court

Donate to Branson Fire Department and IMAX will match it 100%

(Limit three (3) 2.5 Ounce Scoops per person)

Books in Bloom, a free literary festival ,is being held Sunday afternoon in May 3rd in the gardens and conservatory of the historic Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, AR. The festival is a project of the Carroll and Madison Public Library Foundation.

This year’s featured authors include Jory Sherman, Jennifer Chiaverini, Mara Leveritt, and John Brummett.  There will also be readings and signings on-going in the garden. presented by a variety of regional authors. The festival runs from Noon- 5PM, and will take place rain or shine. This is the fifth anniversary of the festival, which is held in conjunction with the May Festival of the Arts in Eureka Springs. For information, visit our website, www.BooksinBloom.org or call festival co-chair Jean Elderwind at 870 423-5300.

You can do your part for the environment – plus support the Ozark Mountain Girl Scouts, by joining in the fun at the Fourth Annual Phone Book Recycling Kickoff Event, Tuesday, April 21st, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Branson RecPlex, 1500 Branson Hills Parkway. Bring your old phone books to the recycling event, and the Girl Scouts will receive a nickel for each one collected. Plus, there will be free food, kid’s activities, valuable prizes, and pet adoptions from the Taney County Animal Shelter.

Sponsors of the event are the City of Branson, Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association, CenturyTel, and Hometown Radio, in partnership with the Ozark Mountain Girl Scouts, Branson Recycle Center, and Nestle’Purina PetCare.

Admission is free and open to all ages.

Source: Hollister Chamber Facts April 17

Hollister Project Graduation Events
Saturday, April 19 – Grilling For Grads and Bake Sale Harter House 11-6:30  Come get a grilled bratz for $2 and support Hollister Project Graduation.

Friday, April 24 – Fish Fry and Silent Auction  High School Commons 4:30 – 7:00

Saturday, April 25 – 5KWalk/Run State Park – Registration 7:30-8:00 a.m. Race Begins at 8:30  $15 registration before April 15; $20 after April 15th   Registration forms available on the Hollister High School Website or by calling call Donna at 230-1690.  All registered children up to age 12 will receive a participation    medal 1st and 2nd place prizes for 13-18; 19-39; 40-59; 60+; Overall male and female will also be awarded Free t-shirt for the first 50 registered participants.

Ongoing Raffle of a 21 speed  Cypress silver bicycle from Downhill Bikes & Accessories.- $1 per ticket; $5 = 6 tickets; $10 = 15 tickets. Drawing will be held at the Walk/Run. Need not be present to win. Contact Debbie Redford at 332-7246 if you would like to purchase tickets.

Please join us at noon on Friday, April 24th in Branson Landing’s Town Square, right in front of the Branson Landing fountains, as we celebrate Arbor Day.
It has been over 135 years since J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day, a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care.  His simple idea of setting aside a special day for tree planting is now more important than ever.

The Arbor Day Celebration begins at 12:00 noon with a host of special guests, award presentations, great entertainment, FREE trees and much more.  With Master of Ceremonies, Yakov Smirnoff and special performances by John and Ambrus Presley, as well as the amazing group – SIX, this special Arbor Day Celebration will be one not to miss!

With the objective of reforesting and maintaining trees throughout the Branson and Taney County Area, 200 Red Twig Dogwood Seedlings will be distributed as well as 500 Holly Bushes donated by Empire Electric.  Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Arbor Day in a personal way by planting a tree yourself.

For more information on Arbor Day, visit www.arborday.org today!

On April 19, this Sunday’s Grand Old Gospel Hour will feature Elvis’ gospel music and some of the contestants in the Third Annual Branson Elvis Festival and the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition. It is free and open to the public at 10 a.m. at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater.

“Even though Elvis had some 105 Top 40 hits many of which were number one, it was gospel music that earned him his Grammy awards. We at the Grand Old Gospel Hour are happy to be part of the three day Elvis Festival that Legends In Concert is hosting in our new theater home and give some of the outstanding Elvis impersonators a stage on which to perform some of the great gospel music that Elvis recorded,” said Sam Stauffer of the Grand Old Gospel Hour.

The Grand Old Gospel Hour is a long time Branson praise and worship venue free for tourists and locals alike. The non-profit organization is celebrating 14 years in Branson and features a fast-paced, contemporary and gospel praise and worship experience with a live band, gospel vocalists and entertaining and inspirational messages by Stauffer.

“Elvis is probably best known for ‘How Great Thou Art’ and ‘Crying in the Chapel.’ He has been quoted as saying that he knew practically every religious song that’s been written. He recorded songs by William J. Gaither, Andre Crouch and Albert E. Brumley. Traditional gospels songs that he recorded in addition to the Grammy Award-winning ‘How Great Thou Art’ included ‘In the Garden’ along with his own arrangements of ‘Joshua Fit the Battle,’ ‘Swing Down Sweet Chariot,’ ‘By and By,’ ‘Amazing Grace’ and more,” Stauffer said.

Elvis’ ‘How Great Thou Art’ album won the Grammy for Best Sacred Performance in 1967 and the live version won Best Inspirational Performance in 1974.

The Grand Old Gospel Hour Elvis gospel music service is just one of the events during the Third Annual Branson Elvis Festival and the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition being held April 17-19 at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater hosted by Legends in Concert.

The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will take place on the Legends in Concert stage April 18 at 7 p.m. An Elvis Meet and Greet Dinner is Friday at 5 p.m. at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill with the contestants. At 8 p.m. all contestants will be attending the Legends in Concert Show on the Legends in Concert stage where, of course, Elvis is in the spring lineup. At 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, it’s Elvis Karaoke with the contestants in Club 57. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. the Elvis Vendor Village will be open in the lobby. At 10 a.m. the movie Speedway starring Elvis and Nancy Sinatra will be shown in the Legends in Concert Theatre. Admission is free to the public.

The Branson Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest is one of 14 tribute competitions currently scheduled and sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. around the world. The winner of this contest will compete in Memphis during the annual Elvis Week in August against a number of other Elvis tribute finalists for the coveted title of the Ultimate ElvisTribute Artist of the Year. Judges look for the “best representation of the Elvis legacy” in talent, appearance, performance, stage presence and overall tribute to Elvis in naming the “2009 Elvis Tribute Artist of the Year.”

Call 417-337-8888 for more information about the Grand Old Gospel Hour.

Andy would like to invite you to join him and The 2009 Moon River Theatre Stars: Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and Bill Haley’s Original Comets for the Ribbon Cutting of his fabulous Moon River Grill on Thursday, April 23rd at 12 pm.
Enjoy Andy’s wonderful pictures, gold records and his personal pop art collection throughout the grill and meet and greet the Andy Williams Moon River Entertainment Complex 2009 Stars! Light Refreshments will be served.

Day: Thursday
Date: April 23, 2009
Time: 12 pm
Location: Andy Williams Moon River Grill

Moon River Grill will be open with a full lunch menu at 11am!

Branson’s River Run Outfitters is celebrating their 10th Anniversary on Saturday April 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at their store located at 2626 State Highway 165 just north of the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery. In its ten year history River Run Outfitters won the national “Orvis Outfitter of the Year Award” in 2006 and the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce “Small Business of the Year Award” in 2007.

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, a free lunch of hot dogs and brats, cooked by “Frick and Frack,” will be served from 11:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. In addition there will be hourly drawings for prizes, casting clinics, and games.

Representatives from Winston, Sage, Orvis, and TFO rods will be on hand to answer questions. River Run’s guides will be available to give advice on fly tying and fly fishing for trout in Lake Taneycomo.

For additional information please call River Run Outfitters at 417- 332-0460

On Saturday, April 11, from 7:00am to 7:00pm, the Branson Veterans Task Force will honor the Persian Gulf War veterans at the Factory Merchants Mall (Red Roof Mall) in Branson, MO.

Opening with a continental breakfast from 7:00am-8:00am, the day-long event features hourly (on-the-hour) prayer by local members of the clergy followed by a Moment of Silence to honor those who served in that war.

“We invite people to stop by and help us honor these young veterans,” said Tom Goldsworthy, chairman of the event. “The local clergy have generously volunteered their time to lead us in prayer and we hope to have a group of people in attendance each hour.”

Located next to Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, displays will include the Battlefield Cross and a Missing Man Table. The Missouri Veterans Commission will host a booth to answer questions regarding veteran benefits and issues.

The Branson Veterans Task Force hosts veteran events throughout the year. For more information, visit www.bransonveterans.com or call 417.337.8387.