By: Shelby Gray

College of the Ozarks Ralph Foster Museum will host an exhibit celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts. The exhibit will focus on the history of the Girl Scouts in the Ozarks region.

The Ralph Foster Museum is currently seeking loaner Girl Scout memorabilia such as scouting uniforms, badges, photos and stories relating to the Girl Scouts, Brownies or Daisies.

The exhibit will open March 12, 2012 and will run through October 2012 in the Edwards Art Gallery of the Museum. For more information about the exhibit or about loaning memorabilia, please contact Annette Sain at the Ralph Foster Museum at (417) 690-3407 or [email protected].

By: Shelby Gray

Carrying irrigation pipes, picking vegetables or milking cows is just part of a typical day for a summer C of O student working to pay for his/her room and board. While other college students spend their summer days sleeping in, C of O students are working campus jobs.

The Summer Work Program (SWP) is a room and board scholarship opportunity that provides students the option to work either a 6 or 12 week session during the summer to pay room and board for the following year. Students working six weeks can cover the room and board for the fall semester, and students working all 12 weeks can work off an entire year’s room and board. Additionally, by participating, students receive room and board during the summer program.

Junior Renay Renyer, assigned as a counselor at the College’s summer camp for area children, is just one of the many students who rely on the program every year. One of six siblings, she is the third Renyer to attend College of the Ozarks. She and her younger sister are currently participating in the SWP. Renyer said that with such a large family, money for room and board would be hard to come by. “If it weren’t for the Summer Work Program, I would have to stay at home and work a summer job,” she said. “I don’t know how I’d be able to pay the difference.”

The number of students working varies slightly each year. Each summer the College accepts roughly 500 students, about one third of its student body. Numbers are based on the College’s need for labor, so that all students involved will have a job to do.

Students who demonstrate the most financial need, based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), receive first consideration for the scholarship that equates to roughly $2,800 dollars per six weeks. The scholarship money can only be applied toward room and board.

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.

The inaugural Chris Waller Memorial Scholarship was recently awarded to 2011 C of O graduate Adam Bulkeley. The scholarship is in the memory of Academic All-American and All-Conference basketball player Chris Waller.

“It is an honor to receive the scholarship. [Al] Waller called to let me know that I had received the scholarship; it really meant a lot,” Bulkeley said. “The money will be put toward tuition and books for the University of Arkansas.”

The Chris Waller Memorial Scholarship was established by Al and Marty Waller, parents of Chris Waller, in memory of their son who they lost in a car accident in December 2010. Chris graduated from Branson High School and attended College of the Ozarks from 1997-2001, where he majored in mathematics.

The scholarship is given to a College of the Ozarks graduate who possesses outstanding character and who wants to further his/her education. The money for the scholarship comes from interest off of the memorial endowment established in Chris’s memory.

“It is a pleasure to give the very first scholarship to Adam,” said Al Waller. “When looking at the criteria for the scholarship, he met three of the things that we were looking for. He had exceptional character, he lived in the Branson area, and he is going to continue his studies at the University of Arkansas.”

KIDSITTING SERVICE AVAILABLE THRU THE SUMMER FOR YOUR CHILD.
brought to you by Kayla’s Kidsitting

If you find yourself in need for some time away from the kids to get some errands ran, need a date night with the hubby, some much needed time with just the girls….call Kayla’s Kidsitting. Kayla is available to watch your child at the Mid-American Mixed Martial Arts dojo or at your home. E-mail [email protected] or call 417-339-7955 to schedule your time slot.

If you choose to have sitting at the dojo……enjoy hours of fun with lots of indoor play, games, movies and snacks. Tell your friends and get a group together to enjoy a playdate in a safe and entertaining environment . Best of all no clean-up for you!

Kaylas Price: $4.75 per hour per child

Andrea Wilhelm
Mid-American Mixed Martial Arts

22nd ANNUAL HONOR AMERICA CELEBRATION SLATED FOR JUNE 26

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.

11th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes Opens the Door to Picturesque
Table Rock Lake Residences While Raising Money for Local Charities

The tour, presented by Neighbors & Friends of Table Rock Lake, will take place December 2-3
KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. – 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.

The ticket purchase opens the door to the fun of exploring some of most beautiful and interesting homes nestled in the arms of the Ozark Mountain Country of Southwestern Mo. and situated near one of the nation’s most popular entertainment and leisure destinations Branson, Mo. The featured homes on tour will be unveiled in mid-June at www.hometour.nftrl.org.

Tickets are $15 and available starting November 1, 2011. Ticket outlets include 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. Reservations are not necessary, and free parking is available at all houses. Each house will have guides available.

The tour also includes access to an expansive holiday boutique featuring local crafts, baked goods, silent auction items and raffle drawings. Raffle prizes include a fishing expedition with professional fisherman Stacey King. Complimentary tea, coffee and cookies will be provided and a light lunch will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Christmas Tea Room, located at the tour headquarters at the Kimberling Area Library.

All proceeds from the Christmas Tour of Homes, including the Stacey King raffle, will be donated to various Stone and Taney county community outreach programs.

To learn more about the Neighbors & Friends of Table Rock Lake Christmas Tour of Homes, the recipients of last year’s grants and the organization visit www.nftrl.org.

Kingsgate Castle, one of four homes being featured in the Home tour.

Andy Williams To Be Honored At Judy Garland Festival

BRANSON, MO—June 2011—Andy Williams is the special guest for the 36th Annual Judy Garland Festival Thursday, June 16 to Saturday, June 16 to Saturday, June 18, 2011, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

Festival highlights include a gala dinner honoring the legendary Andy Williams, a party for the “Wizard of Oz” Munchkin Karl Slover, a local production of “Meet Me in St. Louis” by the Grand Rapids Players, and a show of Judy’s gowns for collector Michael Siewert. Mr. Williams will be signing his memoir “Moon River and Me” in the afternoon and then be given the Lifetime Achievement Award Friday evening.

Festival headquarters are at the Judy Garland Museum and historic family home and adjacent Children’s Discovery Museum in Grand Rapids, the northern Minnesota resort town where Judy’s family lived when she was a little girl. The Judy Garland Museum has the world’s largest collection of Judy Garland memorabilia.

For schedule and ticket information go to www.judygarlandmuseum.com or call 800-664-5839 or 218-327-9276.

Can’t Sit Still – Help for Joplin

For many of us who have seen the devastation in Joplin and felt horrible for them, here is an opportunity to convert our feelings to actions.
Saturday, the RivR is taking a large group to help people dig out and get their homes in a livable condition. We have people who have gone on a scouting mission and now we need all hands on deck. Obviously there is no way to be sure of exactly what we will do on Saturday, but there are whole neighborhoods that are damaged but not destroyed. Our goal will be to assist residents in clearing debris and getting their homes in a condition so they can stay in them. This seems to be one of the greatest needs right now.

When:
Meet at the RivR @ 5:45 A.M. on Saturday.
Meet at 65 & 160 @ 6:20 A.M.
(It is really important that we travel together. We will be taking buses. Traffic is a huge problem in Joplin and we don’t want to compound their problems even more. So jump in with us.)

Who:
People who care a lot and are flexible enough to do whatever will help.
Skill is not a requirement – desire is.
This trip is for teens going into 9th grade – adults. (not advisable for younger kids)

What to bring:
Lunch
Change of clothes (optional – in case of rain)
Light tools – hammer, prybar, etc. (not necessary, but maybe helpful)
Work Gloves
Chainsaw – (again, not necessary, but we don’t know what we will need)
Heavy Machinery – tractors and trailers – (if you want to consider this, we will put
you in touch with appropriate people to help plan it’s use)

Return:
We will quit work around 5:00. We will stop in Springfield for a quick dinner on the way home.
Thanks for adjusting your plans and joining us on this really important trip. We have to continue care for others in significant ways. Please let us know if you are planning to go. Call the church office at 417-546-7487 and tell Lynn or send an email to [email protected]. The sooner you can let us know, the better we can plan the trip.

Our promise is that we will do everything possible to accomplish as much as we can. We won’t waste your time. Pray for the people in Joplin. Pray for the trip. Help us love with our hands, not just our thoughts.

Join the relief effort for Joplin tornado victims
Choose from a number of ways to reach out to our
Missouri neighbors and businesses

Following the devastating storms in southwest Missouri on Sunday evening, your immediate action is requested to assist in the Joplin recovery efforts. Many members of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry have already contributed to this recovery, but vital resources are still in need. Donate money, items or your time through a variety of organizations that are on the ground serving in the Joplin area.

Monetary Donations
Joplin-native Sen. Ron Richard is encouraging Missouri businesses that are looking to help to call the donation desk at the State Emergency Management Agency command center in Joplin at 573.526.9364. The line is being used to coordinate large shipments of supplies and monetary donations from individual and corporate donors.

You can help immediately by texting the word “Redcross” to 90999 or by donating online on the American Red Cross website by clicking here. Donations will go toward the purchase of medical supplies, food and other basic necessities that families are in desperate need of right now.

Recovery Items
A number of items are also in demand, specifically bottled water, non-perishable food, can openers, toiletries, clothing (please have boxed and labeled), work gloves, and construction-grade trash bags. To locate a fundraiser near you, please visit the Joplin, Mo.,Tornado Recovery Facebook page.

Blood Donations
The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks has issued a Code Red Alert for Type “O Negative” blood. Please consider making a blood donation at a center near you, if you are able.

Volunteer Your Time
Officials are asking for volunteers with medical skills to register at the Show-Me Response website or by calling 417-832-9500. All others are asked to wait 3 to 5 days to sign up by calling 800.427.4626 or 211.
If you have relatives or friends in the Joplin area that you have not been able to contact, please visit the Red Cross’s Safe and Well registry. Authorities are asking that you keep the phone lines clear by using text messaging and social networks on the Internet.

And to keep up-to-date on the latest news and aid requests, visit the KY3 News website.
Thanks in advance for stepping up to support Joplin as the community recovers from the tragic natural disaster. Please contact the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s office if you need further assistance as to how to make a contribution: 573.634.3511.