CenturyLink Food Drive – Feed the Children -FOOD DRIVE – June 25-29, 2012

Each summer Jesus Was Homeless sees a spike in need due to the fact that kids are out of school and not receiving school lunches. This summer you’re invited to help support Jesus Was Homeless by participating in the CenturyLink Backpack Buddies Feed the Children Food Drive. This is a community service project to help fight childhood hunger in CenturyLink markets. Join us and be a CenturyLink Backpack Buddy!

The CenturyLink Clarke M. Williams Foundation will match all donations given through this drive at $1 per pound up to 1 million pounds total. If you choose to make a monetary donation, every dollar donated will be calculated as 6 pounds and will be matched with a $6 donation to Jesus Was Homeless up to 1 million dollars company wide.

Your donations will help Jesus Was Homeless meet the growing need right here in the Branson community.

How You Can Contribute
Donate at the CenturyLink Retail Store: Bring non-perishable food items to the CenturyLink Retail Store located in the Gretna Plaza on Hwy 248, next to Arvest Bank, Monday-Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Donate directly to Jesus Was Homeless: Write a check to Jesus Was Homeless or donate on-line at www.jesuswashomeless.org the week of June 25th-29th.

What to Bring
Food:
Individual boxed or pouch drinks (Capri Sun, Kool-Aid, etc.)
Granola Bars
Individually packaged fruit cups (Applesauce, Peaches, etc.)
Individually bagged Chips
Cookies
Individually boxed cereal
Snack size items
Individual Mustard Packs
Individual Mayo Packs

Household Items:
Ziploc Sandwich Bags
Napkins
Plastic Spoons
Deodorant
Shaving Cream
Toothbrushes
Razors

For donation information contact:

Bryan Stallings
Customer Care Manager – Southern Missouri
2001 Hwy. 248, Suite 4
Branson, MO 65616
Tel: 417.334.9244
Cell: 417.335.1083
Fax: 417.334.2979
[email protected]

Duttons Receive Commendation from TripAdvisor

Branson, MO…TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com), the world’s largest travel site, has honored The Dutton Family Theater for earning exceptional traveler ratings over the past year. TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence recognizes business that consistently receive top ratings from travelers.

According to Christine Petersen, TripAdvisor for Business president, “Having achieved a rating of 5.0, the Dutton Family Theater is placed among the very best. This award, which is given only to the most exceptional performers in the TripAdvisor community, is a significant achievement by the Dutton Family. All of us here at TripAdvisor congratulate them.”

Judith Dutton, marketing manager for the theater, commented, “We were extremely excited to receive this commendation. It’s like “The Peoples Awards” in that it is totally based on proactive commentary from tourists that have visited our theater. We try very hard to provide every guest with a remarkable experience and this award indicates that our efforts are paying off.”

The all new 2012 Dutton Family show offers a high energy mix of rock ‘n roll, country, bluegrass, gospel, and lots of dancing and comedy. The theater also features renowned tenor George Dyer, whose show has something for everyone from well-known Disney songs to current favorites and opera.

Over the past 20 years, the Dutton fame has spread across the world and the family has built an entertainment complex in Branson with their Dutton Family Theater, the Dutton Inn, and Abby’s Tourist Trap. Additionally, the Dutton Family Theater #2 has been opened in Mesa, Arizona for winter performances

For reservations and additional information, contact the Dutton Family Theater at (417) 332-2772 or (888) 388-8661, or visit www.TheDuttons.com.

The countdown has begun for the 23rd annual Honor America Celebration at College of the Ozarks on Sunday, June 24, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend this old-fashioned patriotic celebration. Music, children’s activities and a picnic begin at 4:30 p.m.; the patriotic program and concert takes place at 8 p.m. Attendees may purchase barbecue items on site.

“Honor America has become a tradition that people of all ages can enjoy,” said Elizabeth Hughes, 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 a patriotic celebration of yesteryear.”

This year’s event will feature several musical favorites, including bluegrass by Copper Fox, the Mark McCauley and the Downing Street Boys who will entertain with traditional southern gospel music and the cast from Red, Hot… and Blue!, who will perform American classics from the 40s, 50s and 60s.

West Point Bugle and Drum Corps Hellcats

Before the sky lights up with fireworks, attendees will hear a patriotic concert and witness more than 200 years of tradition with the West Point drum and bugle corps, The Hellcats, as they perform a fantastic display of bugling and drumming.

After dark, an elaborate fireworks display will conclude the event. Honor America is free and is open to the public, but don’t forget your lawn chairs. Alcohol, tobacco products, fireworks and pets are strictly prohibited. For more information, please call the Public Relations office at (417) 690-2212.

2012 Honor America Program (PDF File)

July 7, 2012
8:30 AM-1:30 PM

Join award-winning Chef, Robert Stricklin, in The Keeter Center kitchen to see how local farming inspires his cooking style. Only 8 spaces available for this memorable experience! Reserve today!

$75 includes Cooking School, Nature’s Harvest Lunch, & Admission to the Smithsonian of the Ozarks: Ralph Foster Museum

Taneycomo Festival Orchestra – Branson and Hollister, MO, June 17-30, 2012

The Taneycomo Festival Orchestra is a new nonprofit organization that provides a free two-week concert series of classical music in Branson and Hollister, Missouri. We seek to break the 19th century tradition that attending a symphony concert is a formal and elitist event by providing an accessible and casual concert series while continuing to preserve these great works of art in our destination city. Come as you are and enjoy the beautiful music!

Besides providing a unique concert experience for Branson and Hollister locals and tourists, the TFO hopes to provide a unique experience for musicians to spend a couple of weeks in the beautiful Ozark Mountains to play in an orchestra with other students and local professionals. Students will be hosted by generous local families and may receive grants for travel and expenses.

The Taneycomo Festival Orchestra is set to debut June 17-30, 2012 and plan to give two symphonic concerts and three chamber recitals. At these concerts we will feature many talented musicians from the Branson are and around the country including soloists Tyler Vahldick (trombone), Cale Hoeflicker (guitar), Larkin Sanders (clarinet), and Steven Snowden (composer).

2012 Schedule

Chamber Concert – Meet the Musicians
Thursday – June 21,2012 at 8:00pm
Location: Vintage Paris 260 Birdcage Walk Hollister, MO

Symphonic Concert – Featuring Tyler Vahldick, Trombone
Friday – June 22,2012 at 8:00pm
Location:College of the Ozarks Newman Recital Hall
1 Industrial Place, Point Lookout, MO

Chamber Concert – Charming Chamber Music
Saturday – June 23, 2012 at 8:00pm
Location:Plum Bazaar Garden – 123 Main Street Branson, MO

Chamber Concert – Featuring Steve Snowden, Composer
Sunday – June 24, 2012 at 2:00pm
Location:Presbyterian Old Stone Church – Corner of 4th and Pacific Branson, MO

Quartet Concert – Featuring Echelon String Quartet
Tuesday – June 26, 2012 at 8:00pm
Location: Vintage Paris 260 Birdcage Walk Hollister, MO

Irish Music – Featuring Echelon String Quartet (Tenative)
Wednesday – June 27, 2012 at 8:00pm
Location:Waxy O’Shea’s – 235 Branson Landing Boulevard Branson, MO

Chamber Concert – Featuring Cale Hoeflicker, Guitar
Thursday – June 28, 2012 at 8:00pm
Location: Vintage Paris 260 Birdcage Walk Hollister, MO

Storytime Concert – Featuring Steve Snowden, Composer
Friday – June 29, 2012 at 4:00pm
Location:College of the Ozarks Newman Recital Hall
1 Industrial Place, Point Lookout, MO

Symphonic Concert – Featuring Larkin Sanders, Clarinet
Saturday – June 30, 2012 at 8:00pm
Location:College of the Ozarks Newman Recital Hall
1 Industrial Place, Point Lookout, MO

Contact: Larkin Sanders
Taneycomo Festival Orchestra
205 Woodson Bend Road
Branson, MO 65616
(417) 294-0500
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.taneycomofestivalorchestra.com

This was it! On an October night in 1998, the spotlight rose, catching the sparkle of a single glove. The crowd seemed to hold its breath as the iconic silhouette of the black hat took form. Michael Jackson tribute artist William Hall had taken the stage at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas for perhaps the most memorable performance of his career.
Over the past 29 years, Legends in Concert has entertained over 15 million fans across the globe. Each and every audience has a very special energy that makes every performance unique. But some crowds are simply unforgettable. And for William Hall…that night…it was.
There was as unusual energy resonating throughout the crowd that night. Backstage the entertainers had heard the rumors as well. Was it true? Was the “real” Michael Jackson going to attend the show? All eyes scanned the theater doors for his entrance. And then, wearing his signature black hat and dark sunglasses, Michael Jackson quietly slipped into booth 206 just after the lights went down. This would be a Legends in Concert show that tribute artist William Hall would not soon forget. Following the show, Jackson congratulated Hall on a great performance. Jackson was very proud and very pleased with such an incredible tribute.
After Michael Jackson’s tragic passing in 2009, each and every performance by tribute artist William Hall seemed to become even more spellbinding. In 2011, Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, attended the Legends in Concert show at Harrah’s Casino in Las Vegas. She was moved to tears by William Hall’s tribute performance to her late son. Just as Jackson did, Hall truly commanded the stage; every movement, every note filled with such passion and emotion. Only Legends in Concert could offer such a high caliber performance, allowing the audience to experience “The King of Pop” as never before.
Michael Jackson’s legacy lives on not only through the Legends in Concert show, but also through the priceless memorabilia that is currently on display at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Missouri. The theater houses authentic memorabilia from Dick Clark’s personal collection, including stage-worn wardrobe pieces from Michael Jackson as well as the signed contract from the Jackson 5’s appearance on American Bandstand.
Now through Labor Day weekend, William Hall will be performing as Michael Jackson in the Legends in Concert show at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to experience William Hall’s stellar tribute to “The King of Pop”. It is sure to be an experience you will not soon forget.
Come celebrate the life of “The King of Pop” during Michael Jackson Tribute Week from
June 18th – 25th. For tickets call 1-800-374-7469.

Branson Airport Contact
Beth Outz, Media Specialist
Ph: 417-334-8403
[email protected]

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, June 6th, 2012

AMERICAN IDOLS® NOW ARRIVING AT BRANSON AIRPORT

BRANSON, MISSOURI – American Idol® Finalists will soon be arriving at the Branson Airport. Andy Williams Moon River Theatre will host a total of fifteen entertainers this summer from the popular television show, American Idol®, to perform in “The Finalists Live”. On Wednesday June 13th, the second group of five former Idols will step off the plane around 2:00 pm at Branson Airport to continue the fifteen week tour in Branson, Missouri. The second group includes: Ace Young, Season 5, Diana Degarmo, Season 3, Scott Savol, Season 4, Siobhan Magnus, Season 9, and Alexis Grace, Season 8. Diana Degarmo has been a regular on the TV Soap, “The Young and the Restless” and recently agreed to marry Ace Young who proposed to her on live television during this year’s finale of “American Idol”. For additional show information, visit www.andywilliams.com

Branson Airport will also host a “Finalists Live Watch Party” where guests are invited to come out to the airport and meet and greet with their favorite Idols. The Watch Party will begin at 1:30pm. Guests are invited to create posters welcoming each of the artists. All local media is encouraged to attend.

Additionally, Branson Airport is holding a Meet the Idols Contest, where customers can enter to win 2 premium VIP seats and full backstage access passes with the Idols. Participants can register on Facebook by visiting the Branson Airport Fan Page “FlyBranson” and clicking the contest tab or by visiting www.FlyBranson.com.

Guests have the ability to purchase Finalists Live tickets at FlyBranson Travel located inside the Airport or by visiting www.flybransontravel.com. For questions on how to purchase tickets, please call 1.888.FLY.BKG1 or locally at (417) 334-8857.

The Branson airport has non-stop service to 8 markets, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Denver, Orlando, Baltimore, Austin, Nashville, and over 100 one stop destinations. To make reservations or for more information regarding Branson Airport call toll free 1-888-FLY-BKG1 (1-888-359-2541) or 417-334-8857 or visit www.FlyBranson.com.

About Branson Airport:
Opening its doors May of 2009, Branson Airport LLC is the first privately developed and operated commercial service airport in the United States. The airport is served by AirTran Airways (a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines), Frontier Airlines and Branson AirExpress. Located in the heart of the Ozarks and centrally located in the Midwest, the airport also boasts a state of the art FBO, Branson JetCenter and a full service travel agency and public charter operator, FlyBranson Travel LLC d/b/a Branson AirExpress. For more information on Branson Airport LLC and any of its subsidiaries please visit FlyBranson.com.

The Track Family Fun Park Reopens At Full Speed After Tornado Damage

Branson, Missouri – – Not long ago, the Leap Day Tornado laid a path of destruction through Branson’s Track 4 facility (3345 W. 76 Country Blvd.). Just 86 days later, the Track 4 experience again welcomed families with excellent service and attractions. The tornado affected the main building, some of the attractions, and the mini golf course on the property.

“Like many in Branson, we feel very fortunate that no one was seriously injured and that the damage was not worse,” said Craig Wescott, President/Co-Owner of The Track Family Fun Parks. “Our internal team and contractors worked very hard to get us back open by Memorial Day Weekend so we could serve visiting families at that location this summer.”

Large light poles, fencing, utility infrastructure, mini golf course structures, roofing, and other elements were damaged and replaced or repaired. The main building on the property, which included the primary sales area, an arcade and offices, was destroyed and had to be torn down. Temporary sales booths are being used this summer. According to Wescott, the building will be rebuilt after Labor Day. “Not having a main building on park is temporary, and we will have the chance to build it better than before as a result of the circumstances. The biggest losses on the property are actually the big trees that provided beauty and shade to our employees and guests. We can’t replace trees that have been there for 30 years, but we are adding shade structures where we can to help that situation.”

Fortunately, the new 4-story go-kart track, Heavy Metal High Rise, and the 100-foot-tall Skycoaster attraction received no structural damage and only required minimal clean-up and attention to be ready for visitors again.

The other Track facilities sustained little or no damage. Track 3, located at 2505 W. 76 Country Blvd., sustained minimal debris damage and reopened two days after the storm. The other facilities received no damage and opened according to schedule. With the reopening of Track 4, all facilities are open daily this summer and ready to provide families with a great entertainment experience.

Branson, MO – Myer Hotels, Branson’s Award-Winning Hotel Company, is pleased to announce that the Best Western Center Pointe Inn has reopened better then ever since the February 29 tornado damage.

The Best Western Center Pointe Inn located on Highway 76 next to the Titanic Museum received moderate damage to one building and light impairment to two other buildings. This is one of the first hotels to reopen that was harmed during the storm. “We are excited about the enhancements of the hotel,” said Chris Myer, Vice President of Marketing for Myer Hotels. “ Nobody likes to go through a disaster but this has allowed us to do some things we wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. The hotel will have a much more upscale and modern feel to it. Guests will immediately notice the new copper roofing.”

The cleanup process and assessment began immediately after the tornado. “Local contractor G. Oney and Associates has done an excellent job helping us open as soon as possible. We are also thankful for the Fireman Fund Insurance Company for their responsive and cooperative approach. Our staff also stepped up during this time, as we were able to keep them employed during the clean-up and rebuilding process,” said Gail Myer, Vice President of Operations.

Prior to reopening it was important from a service standpoint that hotel services be available for guests. All amenities are open and available including indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs. The property will continue a phased reopening of some rooms as they continue work on a portion of the rooms. “In many ways this will be like a brand new hotel when we are completely finished,” said Myer.

The Best Western Center Pointe Inn has long been a favorite of Branson visitors due to its outstanding location right in the heart of Branson’s entertainment and excellent service. You can visit Myer Hotels at www.myerhotels.com.

###