As parts of the Midwest continue to dig out from under the destruction caused by a succession of tornadoes, Sheaf House, a Nashville, Tenn. small press that publishes Christian titles, announced yesterday a fundraising drive to benefit a damaged Branson, MO. library. From March 5 through April 5, Oak Ridge Boys vocalist and author Joe Bonsall is donating the royalties from direct sales of his book, From My Perspective, to the Taneyhills Community Library in Branson. Sheaf House will donate an additional $3.50 to the library for each book sold, and is covering shipping and handling costs for all copies of Bonsall’s book sold directly. The press said that the library will receive $6.54 for each book sold directly. Books sold through retailers are not part of the program.

From My Persepctive is a collection of essays written by Bonsall, which was published with a 7,500-copy print run in fall 2011. Bonsall has performed with the Oak Ridge Boys, a country and gospel quartet, since 1973.

Taneyhills Community Library, built in 1933, is located in downtown Branson and holds more than 40,000 volumes, including newspapers, periodicals, video and audio tapes, and DVDs. The library, which receives no local, state, or federal funding, had to close its doors February 29, when the EF2 Tornado swept through Branson, smashing seven miles of the tourist town’s commercial strip.

For more information about Sheaf House’s fundraising for the Taneyhills Community Library, visit http://www.sheafhousedirect.com/inspirational.html.

Legends in Concert
Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater
1600 W Hwy 76 Branson, MO 65616
www.legendsinconcert.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tiffany Powers
417-339-3003 ext.3010
[email protected]

Legends in Concert Branson Theatre Repairs Underway From Tornado Damage
Performances Suspended Through March; April Reopening Planned

BRANSON, MO – (March 6, 2012) – Celebrated tribute artist production ‘Legends in Concert’ announced today that repairs have commenced on its home in the Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater, following the impact of the tornado that touched down in Branson on February 29. The restoration plans have been completed, delivery of replacement building materials have begun and dozens of construction workers are in full swing making all the needed renovations, after receiving confirmation that the theater suffered no structural damage.

“The tornado’s impact and damage to our theater was serious enough to require the cancellation of our March 2012 schedule of performances,” said Jeannie Horton, General Manager for Legends in Concert. “We are working closely with Jim Morris, the theater’s owner and his team to insure that the necessary repairs are completed on a timely basis. We are confident the completion of the repairs to the theater will proceed quickly and result in the same safe and enjoyable facility millions of our fans have always depended on enjoying, upon their visits to Branson. Our hearts and prayers especially go out to those in the Branson community that were even more adversely affected by the tornado.”

Mr. Morris said he is “dedicated and diligently working with the producers of Legends in Concert to reopen the theater as rapidly as possible. Their outstanding live entertainment production is an essential part of our Highway 76 and Fall Creek complex including the Ramada Hotel, Midtown Cafe, and soon to be reopened classic automobile museum under the theater, all attractions which complement one another so well.” Morris added, “Although the damage is unfortunate, and my thoughts are with those residents who have suffered from the storm, not even a tornado can shake my long-time confidence and commitment to Branson.”

Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater, the ultimate Branson rock n’ roll complex, was built in 2006 and boasts 900 seats. It’s innovative design creates an intimate concert space with great sight lines to the stage, cushy comfortable seats with generous leg room, a dance floor, state of the art projection screens, a brand new million dollar spectacular stage set and fascinating memorabilia from Dick Clark’s American Bandstand archives, recalling the historic roots of rock n’ roll and country.

“Although we regret the relatively short disruption to our 2012 season, and appreciate our fans and business partners’ patience while the renovations are underway, the theater will be better than ever when the repairs are complete to this fabulous entertainment facility,” said Brian Brigner, chief operating officer for “Legends” producer On Stage Entertainment. “We’ve enjoyed 16 wonderful years’ operating our production in this community and look forward to many, many more.”

“Jeanne and I were both on site just minutes after the tornado hit. We appreciate the professionalism and efforts her team have made, as everyone deals with the impact of the tornado,” said Jerry Carroll, manager of Morris Branson Theatre LLC, and other properties of Mr. Morris. Carroll added, “We will continue to work side by side with them towards a prompt reopening of the theater.”

Legends in Concert will soon announce the resumption date for its 2012 performance schedule. Performances will resume 6 days a week through the end of December as previously scheduled. For tickets to performances beginning in April which remain on sale, information about exchanging or obtaining refunds for tickets previously purchased, for cancelled March performances or the current line-up, please call 417-339-3003 or visit legendsinconcert.com.

About Legends in Concert
Celebrating its 29th year, “Legends in Concert” is a live musical celebration featuring the world’s greatest celebrity tribute artists. The product is owned and operated by Las Vegas based On Stage Entertainment, Inc. Widely recognized in the entertainment industry as the original celebrity tribute show, “Legends in Concert” has not only performed throughout the United States, but the show has traveled to 15 countries on five continents, entertaining more than 25 million fans. It currently operates numerous fixed-based, touring, limited-term and private engagements of “Legends” throughout the world. In addition to Las Vegas, “Legends” is presented year-round in numerous cities including Myrtle Beach, S.C., Branson, Mo., Atlantic City, N.J., Foxwoods, CT, Waikiki, HI and on the high seas onboard the Norwegian EPIC. For more information: www.legendsinconcert.com

About Jim D. Morris
Morris Branson Theatre LLC is wholly owned by Jim D. Morris. He continues to own and operates Morris Oil Company in addition to the Quality Inn and Ramada Inn in Branson and other business throughout Missouri. Mr. Morris is recognized for his many community, charitable and humanitarian achievements.

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We are pleased to tell you that our opening will be right on schedule. We invite you to join us at 8 pm on Friday, March 9th or Saturday, March 10th as we kick off our 46th season in Branson’s Original Music Theater!

For best possible seating get your tickets now! Call 417-334-4874
or visit Presleys.com

AUDITIONS FOR 2012 SEASON
Casting for young and youthful looking SINGERS, DANCERS and ACTORS (ages 16-25) who can play teenagers with lots of personality and energy in a musical tribute to “The Brady Bunch.

Come wearing your favorite “Brady Bunch” look!

Must be able to move well!

3 female parts
3 male parts

TUESDAY, MARCH 6th 4:00PM
CALLBACKS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7th 4:00pm

Yakov Smirnoff Theatre
470 State Hwy 248, Branson MO 65616
(800) 728-4546, www.yakov.com

SINGERS
Come prepared to sing with or without a backing track. If you choose to sing with a track you must provide your own track. Music should be young and upbeat, happy!

DANCERS
Prepare a one minute routine to an upbeat happy number a la “Brady Bunch”

ACTORS
Prepare a one minute young, comedic monologue

For more information, contact Kristin at [email protected] &/or 206-281-0885

Greg Thompson Productions, 921 Elliott Ave West, Seattle, WA 98119 (206) 281-0885 [email protected]
www.gregthompsonproductions.com

Exhibit “Celebrating 100th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts” to Open at Ralph Foster Museum

By: Turner Brock

The Ralph Foster Museum at College of the Ozarks will feature a special exhibit for the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts beginning March 12, the official Girl Scouts anniversary day. The exhibit will display Girl Scout uniforms, patches and booklets throughout history.

Local Girl Scouts Troop 10244 help put the display together. “This is a great way to remind people that the Girl Scouts have been around [for a while],” said Annette Sain, Ralph Foster Museum director. “This is a way to help enrich the community.”

The exhibit will be on display at the Edwards Art Gallery, located on the first floor of the Ralph Foster Museum.

The Ralph Foster Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Admission is free for high school and younger, adults are $6, and senior citizens are $5. For more information, please contact Annette Sain at 417-690-3407.

Pictured are Robin Jackson and Nicholas Appleton accepting the Best in Show Award.

Branson-based video production company, jackson+appleton, took home the evening’s Top Award on Saturday night at the 33nd Annual ADDY® Awards in Springfield, Missouri. jackson+appleton won the prestigious BEST IN SHOW Multimedia Award for “We’re Debt Free,” a promotional video produced for College of the Ozarks.
In addition to BEST IN SHOW, the production team won 4 GOLD ADDY Awards and 5 SILVER ADDY Awards.
The ADDY Awards are hosted by the AAF of the Ozarks, an affiliate of the American Advertising Federation. Annually, the American Advertising Federation conducts the world’s largest advertising competition through its 200 member advertising clubs.
The local awards are entered and attended by Advertising Agencies, Television Stations and Production Companies from Southwest Missouri and Northern Arkansas.
In the Video Sales Presentation category, jackson+appleton brought home two GOLD ADDY Awards for videos produced for College of the Ozarks. “We’re Debt Free” showcases the Debt Free Education Program at the College, and “We are College of the Ozarks” is a promotional video produced for the President George W. Bush visit. “We are College of the Ozarks” additionally took home a Gold ADDY for Best Cinematography and a Silver ADDY in the Commercial Category.
Two videos featuring jackson+appleton’s international work were also honored. “Cooperative Spirit Shines in Haiti,” a documentary for White River Valley Electric Cooperative, won a Gold ADDY in the Webisode Category. A Fundraising video campaign for Convoy of Hope was also honored with a Silver ADDY in the Public Service Campaign Category.
An internet commercial promoting the new Aloha River at Silver Dollar City’s White Water won a Silver ADDY. The Showboat Branson Belle’s pre-show Welcome Video also took home a Silver ADDY in the Out-of-Home Advertising Category.
Finally, a commercial for Sight & Sound Theatre’s “Noah” won a Silver ADDY in the Advertising for the Arts Category.
Owned by Robin Jackson and Nicholas Appleton, jackson+appleton is a full service HD production agency serving Branson and beyond. Winning videos projects may be viewed at www.youtube.com/jacksonappleton.

Tony Orlando Receives Prestigious Seven Seals Award

The Department of Defense issued the Seven Seals Award to Branson resident and legendary entertainer Tony Orlando for the work he does in the United States, as well as overseas, in supporting National Guard and Reserve members.
The Seven Seals Award is the highest award given to civilians, and was created to publically recognize Americans who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to those that have been called to serve in the armed forces.

The Seven Seals Award represents the seven military reserve components: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and Coast Guard reserves, along with the Army and Air National Guard.

Orlando frequently visits and entertains troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and performs countless shows for military personnel and their families in the United States. For 18 years he has hosted “Tony Orlando’s Yellow Ribbon Salute To the Veterans” in Branson MO on Veteran’s Day: a free show to all veterans who attend the Branson Veterans Homecoming, America’s largest veteran’s day celebration.

New Jersey Air National Guard Chief of Joint Staff, Brigadier General James J. Grant, and Department of Defense State Vice Chair Don Tretola presented Orlando with the award at The Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Tony Orlando will return to Branson November 1, 2012 to star in “Tony Orlando’s Great American Christmas” at The Welk Resort Theatre.

Area young people across Stone and Taney County are invited to a special Town Hall Meeting just for youth. “Ozark Mountain Country’s Youth are our area’s future leaders and we as a community want to encourage our youth to “Champion the Charge” for a better tomorrow,” said Jory Rolf, Ozark Mountain Legacy Director.

“Our goal is to listen to our area youth and equip and empower our future generation to lead toward a positive and preferred future,” Rolf said. The Legacy Youth Initiative Catalyst Team will host this special evening for area youth to participate in round-table discussions, answer questions and share their views on various issues facing our community, our youth culture and our future.

“We want to hear the input on life in the Ozarks, as young people see it,” said Dr. Sue Head, College of the Ozarks Keeter Center for Character Education. “We want to partner with our youth to help them see how they can truly make a difference in Ozark Mountain Country.”

Leaders and youth influencers from various sectors throughout our community will also be on hand to listen, encourage and help facilitate this important community conversation.

This special Youth Town Hall Meeting will be held February 23rd, 6-7:30pm, at the Branson Community Center on Compton Drive. A follow up meeting on March 1st is planned to share the survey results of this meeting with attendees and our community.

The Legacy Youth Catalyst Team is also partnering with community leaders and youth influencers to offer the Legacy Youth Leadership Institute for outstanding area youth, beginning this spring.

For more information about the Legacy Youth Initiative or to RSVP an area youth to participate, please call or text 417/598-1314 or email [email protected].

The Branson chapter of the Missouri Employer Committee (MEC), along with the Missouri Career Center and the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, will host a job fair at the Branson Convention Center, 200 Sycamore St., on Saturday, March 10th 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

More than 40 area employers will be on site to meet with prospective employees. In recent years approximately 800 job seekers have attended the annual fair now in its 20th year. Job fair attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their resumes and work histories with them to the event. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

For more information contact the Branson Career Center at 417-334-4156.

FFA Workshop Slated for Area High School Students
By: Jacob McCauley

College of the Ozarks Agriculture Department will host a FFA workshop for area high school students on March 3, 2012, in the Youngman Agriculture Center from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The event will include workshops on livestock, dairy products, entomology, meats, dairy cattle, nursery and landscaping, agronomy, forestry, poultry, horses, floriculture and soils. In 2011, the event brought more than 2,500 students from over 90 different schools in the southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas regions, making it one of Missouri’s larger agricultural events.

Registration is for area high school FFA students and sponsors. Registration forms are located on the C of O website and must be completed by February 24, 2012. An additional $15 late fee will be charged for late registration. Workshop participants can pick up their workshop forms beginning at 7:45 a.m. in the Youngman Agriculture Center; contests begin at 8:15 a.m. and workshops at 8:30 a.m.

For more information, visit www.cofo.edu, or call Donn Russell, event coordinator, at 417-690-3348.