The annual levy hearing, as required of all Missouri public school districts, was conducted during the Branson School Board’s monthly meeting held last Thursday.
The board approved a proposal by Dr. Hayter, superintendent, to roll back the levy nine cents (five cents in operating and four cents in the debt service) making it $3.86.  This voluntary rollback will save district patrons $600,000 in taxes for 2010.

“We want to roll the levy back for two reasons,” said Dr. Hayter.  “The district is in a solid financial position; and we know our patrons are facing tough economic conditions.  If we can make ends meet with 9 cents less, then we should – as a district – operate in this manner.”

“This is not to say that an increase may not be needed in the future,” added Hayter.  “But for now, the roll back is the right thing to do.”
As part of its continuing commitment to serving Branson area tourism and the community, the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), is proud to sponsor this press release on this site.

With a rotating line-up, there is something for everyone at Legends In Concert at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater! You can see a variety of your favorite stars from yesterday and today in a show that brings new costumes, lighting, music, choreography and excitement four times a year! Beginning September 9, come see The Temptations, George Strait, Marilyn Monroe, The Blues Brothers and Elvis Presley in one incredible theatrical production including the Legends In Concert band and fabulous singers and dancers. Come relax with Marilyn’s sultry comedy, listen to George Strait’s number one hits and hear the harmonies of The Temptations in a show that is sure to bring you to your feet! Don’t delay…catch this awesome autumn line-up now until October 31 only! Show times are 3 & 8 p.m. For more information, call 417-335-STAR or visit www.legendsinconcert.com.

Visitors to Branson praise the hospitality of this community. What they may not know is that some of Branson’s population—including some who are in the workforce—are living in motel rooms they rent by the week or in the woods around town. And among that population are children.

On Sept. 24, Branson’s hospitality will be extended to the estimated 400 individuals and families who are without suitable housing in Taney County. The Governor’s Committee to End Homelessness will sponsor “Project Homeless Connect” at the United Methodist Church on Missouri 76. Representatives from about two dozens non-profit agencies will be there to offer services to those who attend.

Branson Salvation Army is serving as the host agency, accepting donations and signing up volunteers, said Capt. Jody Dalberg. The people they hope to reach “could be three days away from being on the street,” he said. “They have enough to pay for a night here or there, but hotel life is not a life adults or children should be living. It’s a shelter. It’s not housing.”

John Presley is chairman of the volunteer committee. “As we all know, Branson has a large number of people living in weekly rentals,” Presley said. “The goal of this event is to provide people with a central place and time to meet with area agencies to get the services and documents they need.”

For the past four years, volunteers for Church Army Branson have conducted Point In Time counts in Taney County, identifying people living outside or in motels. Last summer, they found 304 individuals. This winter, the count was 248. This year, they are developing methods that will result in a more accurate assessment, said Michelle Harllee with Church Army.

The Governor’s Committee to End Homelessness covers 101 rural counties in Missouri, said Jenni Miller, Community Initiatives Coordinator for the Missouri Housing Development Commission. The first Project Homeless Connect was held last year in Columbia.
“But Branson’s are the highest numbers in the state, so that’s why Project Homeless Connect is coming to Branson,” Miller said.

“Some lack a car, a job or even necessary documents,” Presley said. “Everyone is interested in getting people out of the situation. Some might need veterans’ assistance, or mental health help or maybe just a birth certificate, and they’ll be able to get that help right there.”

“What’s needed now is about 100 volunteers to help at the event,” Presley said.
“That may not be easy. Some people may be leery about volunteering, but these are mostly genuine people down on their luck. I’ve already got about a dozen people living in motels who want to help. The goal is to have a guide for each person who comes in the door.”

Volunteers also are needed for registration, handing out items to participants and helping with meal service. Another committee will provide transportation from hotels.

Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association has hired Ramona Mormann, CMP, as Executive Director.

Mormann comes to BLALA with 5 years experience as executive director of MO Hotel & Lodging Association, a position she will retain. Prior to that, she has held various sales positions in hotels around Missouri.

Mormann specializes in membership development and growing associations. Her work focuses on recruiting hotel members and associate members to support the organization. Her duties include all administrative responsibilities.

“Ramona’s sales and association experience, knowledge of the state tourism industry and her enthusiasm for tourism, will serve her well at Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association,” said Lee Thomas, President of BLALA.

In addition, Mormann sits on the board of MO Travel Council, State Council for the CenStates Chapter of Tour and Travel Research Association and is a member of Missouri Society of Association Executives.

Editors Note: The Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association exists to serve and unite representatives of the lodging industry for the promotion and protection of their common interests. BLALA’s mission is to establish member properties as the preferred lodging properties of choice in the Branson / Lakes Area through communication, education, legislative action and the highest standards of professionalism; and to foster effective working relationships between lodging and associate members.

Golfer Memorialized with 9th Annual Tournament

Branson, MO (August 12, 2010)-  Registration is now open for a golf tournament benefiting ALS patients at Skaggs Regional Medical Center and CoxHealth.  This is the ninth year for the Julian Golf Tournament, memorializing Jeff Julian, a PGA golfer who lost his three year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.  ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord and affects muscle function.

“This tournament has helped hundreds of patients at Skaggs Regional Medical Center,” says Rodney Arnold, Executive Vice President of Skaggs Foundation.  “It’s through the funds raised during this annual event that we’ve been able to provide equipment such as a hydro-lift arm for pool therapy, a balance system, and much more.”

Registrations are being accepted for the four-person scramble held at Ledge Stone Country Club in Branson, Monday, September 20 at 10 a.m.  Team registration is $1,250 and includes a local pro golfer per team, lunch, a swag bag and post tournament happy hour.  Register by calling Bill Hasler at 417-335-7869.  More information regarding the tournament is available at www.thejulian.org.

Founded in 2002, Skaggs Foundation was established to help support Skaggs Regional Medical Center by encouraging and engaging community members in philanthropy.  As today’s healthcare costs continue to climb and our population ages, there are many ways community members can make a huge difference in the lives of those we serve.  Learn more about Skaggs Foundation at www.skaggs.net/skaggsfoundation.

BRANSON, MISSOURI (July 19, 2010) – Branson Airport (BKG) and AirTran Airways are pleased to announce additional non-stop service to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport beginning September 16, 2010.

AirTran will add a third Atlanta arrival on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and a third departure on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, which presents additional connections never before available from Branson. The new connections include Tunica, Mississippi (UTM), Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi (GPT),Cancun, Mexico (CUN), Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ), and Nassau, Bahamas (NAS). Additional connection opportunities to Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida (SRQ), Pensacola, Florida (PNS) and Miami, Florida (MIA) have also been created.

“The new departure and arrival times will not only open up some fantastic connections, but will offer more options for the frequent flyer,” stated Jeff Bourk, Branson Airport’s executive director. “Not only can visitors get to Branson easier, but now our local community can fly to exciting destinations like Cancun, Jamaica and the Bahamas with one-stop convenience at a low cost.”

The following nonstop flights between Atlanta and Branson are now available to book toll free at 1-888-FLY-BKG1 (1-888-359-2541) or online at AirTran.com.

ROUTE DEPARTS ARRIVES OPERATION AIRCRAFT
BKG-ATL 7:00 a.m. 9:40 a.m. F/Sa/Su 717
ATL-BKG 8:55 p.m. 9:40 p.m. T/F/Sa 717
Seasonal from 9/16/10 – 12/05/10

Branson Airport currently offers nonstop service to Atlanta (ATL) and Orlando (MCO) on AirTran Airways, Denver (DEN) and Milwaukee (MKE) on Frontier Airlines and Austin (AUS), Chicago Midway (MDW), Des Moines (DSM), Gulfport-Biloxi (GPT), Houston (HOU), Indianapolis (IND), Nashville (BNA), and Shreveport (SHV) on Branson AirExpress. For more information or to make reservations visit FlyBranson.com or BransonAirExpress.com or call 1-888-FLY-BKG1 (888-359-2541).

About AirTran Airways:
AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI) and a Fortune 1000 company, has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past two years and is the recipient of the prestigious 2010 Market Leadership Award from Air Transport World. AirTran Airways is the only major airline with Wi-Fi on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet. Our low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit www.airtran.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. Currently serviced by AirTran Airways, Frontier Airlines and Branson AirExpress; additional carriers and destinations are on the horizon. 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, FlyBranson Travel. For more information on Branson Airport LLC and any of its subsidiaries please visit FlyBranson.com.

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Branson, MO (May 19, 2010)-  Skaggs Cancer Center is helping raise money for American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life with a cookout, Friday, May 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Kelly’s Healing Garden, in front of the cancer center.

Enjoy a bake sale, silent auction, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and dessert all for a minimum donation of $5.  All proceeds benefit Relay for Life Taney and Stone Counties.

The Branson Tri-Lakes Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter pancake breakfast on Saturday, April 3rd from 7:30 to 10:00 am.  The breakfast will be held at Applebee’s at 1836 W. Hwy 76 in Branson.  All children 4 and younger eat for free, and adult tickets are only $5.  Everyone should come hungry, because the pancakes are all you can eat!  All proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the Pregnancy Life Line as part of the Kiwanis Club’s efforts to assist young children.  Walk-in guests are welcome, or tickets are available from any Kiwanian.  Call 417-335-9231 for tickets and more details. The Easter Bunny will be on hand to visit with the children and pictures by Swift Shots are available for only $5.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.  Keeping with this mission, club members are busy throughout the year carrying out much-needed service projects here in the Tri-Lakes area.  The pancake breakfast, benefitting the Pregnancy Life Line, directly supports the children and families of our community.  Previous breakfasts generated nearly $2,000 for charitable contributions.    Thanks to the generous support of Applebee’s, Bob Evans and Golden Corral, who are donating the supplies for the pancake breakfast, the Branson Tri-Lakes Kiwanis Club is helping to bring some Easter fun to our community’s kids and their families.

The Branson Tri-Lakes Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday at noon at Mazzio’s Italian Eatery.  If you are interested in more information about the Branson Tri-Lakes Kiwanis or if you would like to join the club as it serves the children of the world, visit www.bransonkiwanis.com.

The BHS jazz students competed in the MSU Festival last weekend.  The 2 o’clock Big Band earned first place in the 5A division.  Third place was awarded to the 2 o’clock Combo.  The Coffee House Jazz Band was awarded second place in the competition.

The students will travel to the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival to be held April 17 on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.  The Big Band and the Coffee House Band will be recorded and participate in a clinic led by a professional jazz musician.

The students are under the direction of John Kerley.