Help Provide Relief For Oklahoma – JMARK IT Technicians & Staff To Aid Moore, Okla.

Dear Friends,

In order to try to help those impacted by the devastation in Oklahoma, JMARK is putting a team together to go and do what we can to help. We plan on sending 8 to 10 people to do everything from chainsaw work to IT work getting organizations and businesses functioning; focusing on medical facilities that we might be able to help.

We ask for your patience over the next few days while we operate with a lighter team, which may cause some of our response times to be delayed.

If you would like to help, we’re accepting donations through a not-for-profit partner of JMARK’s by the name of CommonWorks. They are a 501(c)3. All donations received will be given directly to families we come in contact with. If you would like to help in any way, please send an email here, and we’ll coordinate with you.

As we are able, we’ll update our Facebook page with information about who we’re helping and provide any images possible. You can find us here .

Sincerely,

The JMARK Support Team

Our Mission – Communication & Restoration

JMARK is sending a group to help medical facilities and the community in
Moore, Okla. to get them back online, donate computers and clear debris.

Departing Springfield, Mo. 5/22/2013

Please Join Us – Email Today

JMARK is working in conjunction with non-profit, CommonWorks, to organize all support for the relief effort.

To help send an email to:

[email protected]

As many of you may know, Joey Riley has been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer, surgery was inoperable and he is facing chemo treatments in the very near future. Joey does not have medical insurance and we at the Clay Cooper Theatre are having a benefit show and silent auction for him, to help him and his family with his overwhelming medical expenses. We would be grateful for any items that can be auctioned both large and small. Thank you in advance for your support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pat Veach @ (417) 337-7123 or (417) 332-2529.

When: April 20th @ 2pm
Where: The Clay Cooper Theatre
Donation: $25.00 at the door
Details of the show will be announced soon!
Silent Auction: donated items will be auctioned

(All proceeds will go to the “Benefit of Joey Riley”)

Donations may also be made in the name of “Benefit of Joey Riley” at Bank of Missouri, 800 Highway 248, Ste. C, Branson, MO 65616

College of the Ozarks has been named to the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

The Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers the annual Honor Roll award, recognized more than 700 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from poverty and homelessness to environmental justice. On campuses across the country, thousands of students joined their faculty to develop innovative programs and projects to meet local needs using the skills gained in their classrooms. Business students served as consultants to budget-strapped nonprofits and businesses, law students volunteered at legal clinics, and dozens of others organized anti-hunger campaigns.

The Honor Roll includes six colleges and universities that are recognized as Presidential Awardees, with an additional 690 schools named as Honor Roll members. Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors including the scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses.

“The Christian and Patriotic aims of the College combine to create students of Christ-like character who are community minded,” said Elizabeth Hughes, C of O public relations director. “Many on campus take a leadership role in coordinating service efforts such Operation Christmas Child and Camp Lookout, a free summer camp for disadvantaged area children.”

“Communities are strengthened when we all come together, and we are encouraged that these institutions and their students have made service a priority,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “Civic engagement should be a key component of every student’s education experience. Through reaching out to meet the needs of their neighbors, these students are deepening their impact, strengthening our democracy and ultimately preparing themselves to be successful citizens.”

College students make a significant contribution to their communities through volunteering and service, according to the most recent Volunteering and Civic Life in America report. In 2012, 3.1 million college students dedicated more than 118 million hours of service across the country — a contribution valued at $2.5 billion.

The Corporation oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact and the American Council on Education.

College of the Ozarks culinary art students placed second in the American Culinary Federation Missouri State Student Team Competition. The competition was held at the Culinary Institute of St. Louis at Hickey College in March.

The team, led by Executive Chef and Assistant Professor Robert Stricklin, included five students from College of the Ozarks: junior team captain Joy Hunt, junior Hannah Burke, sophomore Lindsey Whitener, freshman Davina Jutras and freshman Hadassah Hirscher.

Judges evaluated cooking techniques, sanitation, work flow, team work, classical cooking, methodology, plate presentation and taste.

The competition encompassed testing the student’s individual skills, as well as a team preparation of a four-course meal.

All students involved met once week for practice and planning in a hotel and restaurant management/culinary arts competition class.

“Competition helps students practice and improves their skills,” Stricklin said. “It also offers the faculty an excellent opportunity to evaluate culinary arts curriculum content, as well as assess individual student learning.”

Caption: (Picture from L) Executive Chef and Assistant Professor Robert Stricklin, Hannah Burke, Hadassah Hirscher, Joy Hunt, Lindsey Whitener, Davina Jutras

College of the Ozark Keeter Center Kitchen Supervisor and adjunct culinary arts instructor Christopher Freeman received the “People’s Choice” award March 11, at the Springfield/Branson Taste of Elegance competition and dinner.

Sponsored by the National Pork Board, the Taste of Elegance inspires different ways to feature pork on the menu.

As one of the major cooking events for professional chefs in the industry since 1987, The Taste of Elegance competition has evolved into more than 20 annual regional competitions, including the Springfield/Branson event.

Ten area chefs competed in this year’s competition which offered pork entrées to 300 invited guests, who then voted on their favorites.

Senior culinary arts majors Chani Bailey and Austin Merath helped Chef Freeman prepare his winning meal.

BRANSON, MISSOURI – March 19, 2013 – The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre announced today another performer in a line of stars to headline this Fall’s “Moon River Weekends”. Moon River Weekends is a concert series featuring national entertainers each weekend in September and October. Country Superstar and Grammy winner, Randy Travis will come to Branson and perform on Friday and Saturday, October 11th and 12th at 8pm. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning March 25th at 9 AM.

“Randy Travis is a country music legend and it’s exciting to have him come to our theatre. Randy’s career is unparalleled in country and gospel music and he brings 25 years of hits and timeless music to Moon River”, stated Lynn Meredith, General Manager of Moon River. “The Moon River Theatre will continue to be a legacy for our founder, Andy Williams and be the home of great singers and entertainers.”

One more performer in this exciting concert series will be announced in the coming days.

About Randy Travis

With lifetime sales in excess of 20 million, Randy Travis is one of the biggest country record sellers of all time. His honors include seven Grammy Awards, 10 Academy of Country Music statuettes, 10 American Music Awards, two People’s Choice awards, seven Music City News awards, eight Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association and five Country Music Association honors. In addition, three of his performances earned CMA Song of the Year honors, “On the Other Hand” (1986), “Forever and Ever Amen” (1987) and “Three Wooden Crosses” (2003).

To date, he has 18 No. 1 singles, 29 top-10 smashes and more than 40 appearances in feature films and television shows to his credit. Ten of his albums are Gold Records. Eight are Platinum. Two have gone Double Platinum. One is Triple Platinum and another is Quintuple Platinum. In 2004, Randy was honored with his own star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has been a member of the cast of the Grand Ole Opry since 1986.

Currently, Randy Travis is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his award-studded career with a stellar cast of collaborators on a new cd. Joining him on his Anniversary Celebration CD are such members of the Country Music Hall of Fame as Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, George Jones and Ray Price. Current Nashville hit makers Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Josh Turner and Brad Paisley are also singing with him on the collection. Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Don Henley is on board, as are such up-and-comers as country’s James Otto and Jamey Johnson, pop’s Kristin Chenoweth and Irish tenor Eamonn McCrystal.

Randy’s fellow country superstar Alan Jackson has written several songs with him, so his presence is a natural. Revered vocal stylists such as Shelby Lynne, John Anderson, Gene Watson and Joe Stampley participate, as do Randy’s fellow Grand Ole Opry cast members Lorrie Morgan and Connie Smith.

The event that inspired this gathering of greats is singular and significant. The 1986 release of the Randy Travis LP Storms of Life was a watershed moment in American music history. The album, which has sold nearly four million copies, was a cornerstone of the “new traditionalist” movement in Nashville. Jackson, Paisley, Chesney, McGraw, Turner and Underwood were all inspired by it.

Randy Travis is a country and gospel music singer whose distinctive baritone and traditional style have made him a star since the 1980s. In the late 1970s he began making demo tapes and recorded a few singles, and in 1981 he moved to Nashville, Tennessee. After a few years as a cook and singer at night spot, he released an independently produced live recording to capitalize on his increasing fan base. His first record on a major label, Storms of Life was released in 1986, and Travis toured the United States on the strength of the hits “On the Other Hand” and “1982.” Since then he has sold millions of records and won numerous awards, including Grammys for Best Male Country Vocal Performance (1987 and 1988), Best Country Song (1988’s “Forever and Ever, Amen”) and Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album (2004’s Rise and Shine). Travis is known as a country crooner in the style of Lefty Frizell and George Jones. In recent years he has recorded bluegrass and gospel albums that have had great success, including the hit and 2003 CMA Song of the Year, “Three Wooden Crosses. With lifetime sales in excess of 20 million, Randy Travis is one of the biggest country record sellers of all time.

Andy Williams Moon River Theatre
Kathe Hill, Director of Sales and Marketing
417-334-1800
[email protected]

College of the Ozarks, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, will offer the “Learn to Swim” program April 8-18 at the Howell W. Keeter Athletic Complex Natatorium.

Lessons are offered to children ages six months through 15 years. The “Parent and Child Aquatics” program, available to students six months to four years old, will run 5–5:25 p.m. nightly. The “Learn to Swim” program, available for students ages 5-15, will be offered in two different sessions. The first session will run 5:30-6:10 p.m., and the second is offered 6:15– 6:55 p.m. Participants will be divided into groups based on abilities, and each group will have its own instructor.

There are eight lessons in the program. The registration fee per student is $60, and is required at the time of registration on April 8 at the College of the Ozarks pool. Participants may register beginning Monday, March 25, by calling Associate Professor of Physical Education Bill Keeter at (417) 690-2567 or the C of O Athletic Department at (417) 690-2393.

Mount Pleasant Winery – we are adding Wednesday’s to our music schedule starting this Wednesday, March 20th. Come by and enjoy the music of Dan McMasters and Lou Colbe from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. FREE for everyone!!!! And don’t forget about our live music every Saturday also from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. This week we welcome Dave Faragher on saxophone and harmonica. We hope to see you here. 3125 Green Mtn. Drive. 417-336-9463

On Saturday, March 23, 2013, a television crew will be taping “70s Music Celebration! Starring Barry Williams” at 2 pm at RFD-TV, The Theatre for inclusion in the popular OWN series “Oprah: Where Are They Now?”

“Oprah: Where Are They Now?,” features updates on some of the biggest newsmakers and most memorable “Oprah” show guests of all time, and is returning with all-new episodes starting Tuesday at 10/9pm c. The series will feature Barry later this year.

“70s Music Celebration! Starring Barry Williams” explodes with a wide variety of the music from the decade. Barry ties the show together with his personal experiences and the events of the times, taking you on an exciting trip through this groovy and colorful decade. You will catch yourself singing along with movie soundtracks, television themes and songs from the greatest artists of the era, including the Eagles, Bee Gees and John Denver to name a few. With surprises and comedy around every corner, it’s a guaranteed far out time. This high-energy, full production, multimedia extravaganza showcases Branson’s best live band and a cast of singers and dancers.

Williams has had an extensive career starring in hundreds of television shows and over 85 productions of Broadway Musicals. He made appearances on several television shows including Dragnet, Adam-12, The Invaders, That Girl, Mission: Impossible, The Mod Squad and Here Comes the Brides before landing his role as Greg Brady on the Brady Bunch, in which he won the Young Artist Foundation Former Child Star “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 1989. He embraced his role and has appeared in various Brady Bunch TV movie reunions including A Very Brady Christmas, The Brady Brides, and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. He became involved in musical theater, touring with Pippin, Music Man, City of Angels, The Sound of Music and West Side Story. In 1988, he appeared on Broadway in Romance/Romance.

In 1992, he wrote his autobiography, Growing Up Brady: I Was a Teenage Greg which stayed on the New York Times bestseller list for three months. In 2001, he executive produced the book into an NBC TV movie. He was a DJ on satellites’ Sirius Radio, has recorded several live CD’s and recently, starred in a 2013 Sci-Fi made for television movie Bigfoot with Danny Bonaduce and Sheryln Fenn.

For more information on being a part of the audience, contact the RFD Box office at 417-339-4663.

For more information about “Oprah: Where Are They Now?,” please contact Leah Sparkes at 312-633-5270 or [email protected]

Dr. Scot McKnight, renowned Christian author, will speak at College of the Ozarks on Monday, April, and Tuesday, April 2, at 7 p.m., in Jones Auditorium.

Dr. McKnight, Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lombard, Ill., has authored more than 30 books. He wrote the award-winning The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others (Paraclete, 2004), which won the Christianity Today Book Award in 2005.

Students are allowed priority seating for the event; remaining seats are available to the public free of charge. For more information, please contact the Christian Ministries Office at (417) 690-3446.