Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks has openings for its Summer Programs in Branson and Forsyth!  Don’t let your kids sit around the house this summer – give them the chance to “Be GREAT!”  For more information, call Laci in Branson (417.336.2420 x 228) or Garry in Forsyth (417.546.6299), or visit our website at www.bgcozarks.org

Vendors, crafters and farmers alike are invited to participate in the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks’ first-ever “Junk in the Trunk Fare” on Saturday, August 8, 2009.  This farmer’s market-style, indoor garage sale consists of booth space for rent inside the Lake Taneycomo Elks Unit gymnasium and admission to the event is free to the public.

Amy Blackwell, Forsyth Program Director says, “We are anticipating everything from handmade jewelry and crafts, to Avon and Pampered Chef representatives, and other homemade or garage sale goodies.  It should be lots of fun and will raise money for our after-school programs for kids from the Forsyth and Taneyville areas.” Booth space is available for only $20 and a limited number of booths with access to electricity are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

In addition to signing up for vendor booths, individuals and groups are asked to search their closets and attics for gently used items that can be donated to the Boys & Girls Club.  Becky Roberts, the Forsyth Club’s Advisory Council Chairperson, adds, “The Club will be having their own indoor garage sale the day of the event and we would love to have lots of great items for customers to choose from.”  Such donated items can be dropped off at the Forsyth Club or People’s Bank between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, until August 7.  For more information, or to sign up for a vendor booth please call Natalie at  (417) 335-2089 x 230.

Three area organizations will host the Clothe-A-Child 5K/1mile walk/run on Saturday, July 25, on the Lakeshore Trail. Meet at the Dewey Short Visitors Center just south of Table Rock Dam on Missouri 165. Registration at 7 a.m.; race at 8 a.m. Adults, $18 in advance; $25, day-of-race. Ages 14 and under, $10. Register at www.christianactionministries.org.

Funds will provide new outfits for kids attending the upcoming Taney County School Readiness Fair. Hosting this event is Christian Action Ministries, OACAC and the Salvation Army.

There will be T-shirts, finisher ribbons and awards for participants. There also will be a bin for clothing donations. For more information, call Becky Lowrance at 417-294-4775 or email [email protected].

BRANSON, Mo. – Hundreds of Taney County youth will benefit from the $1,000 donation presented on Tuesday to the not-for-profit Christian Action Ministries through the CenturyTel Clarke M. Williams Charitable Foundation. The funds will support the Clothe-A-Child Program.

This is the 23rd year that CAM has sponsored the Clothe-A-Child program. It is part of the Taney County School Readiness Fair, a cooperative effort of CAM, Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation and the Salvation Army. Hundreds of children in need will receive a new outfit for school, improving self-esteem and enabling greater academic success.

“The Charitable Foundation was established by CenturyTel based on the belief that companies have an obligation to improve the quality of life where they do business,” said Pamela Anderson, Marketing Communication Manager for South Missouri.

Following the example set by Williams, the company’s founder, the foundation contributes to projects that improve the well-being of people in need. The projects range from substance abuse prevention to disaster relief and technological development. This year, the foundation will award approximately $124,000.

The CenturyTel Experience Center is a drop-off point Christian Action Ministries’ “Under Cover Program,” providing new socks and underwear for Taney County school-aged children. For more information on the program, call Christian Action Ministries at 334-1157 or visit www.ChristianActionMinistries.org.

Today Gift of Hope announced their annual fundraiser, Celebrate A1merica, will be canceled for 2009. Celebrate America was to be held at Shad1ow Rock Park on July 25, but due to the high water levels planning was becoming very difficult. Currently there is very little room left for parking, attendees and the fireworks display.  “We will not sacrifice the quality of the event and currently the water levels are leaving less and less space to allow us to operate as planned,”

Anthony Collier, President of the Board of Directors, stated. “We are disappointed that we have to cancel such an enjoyable event, but feel it is in the best interest of Gift of Hope and the Forsyth community.”  Even with the cancellation of a fundraising event, Gift of Hope must be able to continue its efforts to assist those in the community. Mr. and Mrs. Collier will be making a personal donation to Gift of Hope to try to compensate for the loss of funds that Celebrate America would have created for the charity, and hopes that other residents of Taney County will be generous in their support as well.

The next scheduled fundraising event for Gift of Hope is their annual Bowl-A-Thon, which will take place in October.  For more information about Gift of Hope and their upcoming events, please visit www.giftofhopeinc.org

Coca-Cola invites you to enjoy The Carney & Guinn Trio live at Factory Merchants Branson on Sat, July 25 at noon until 2pm in the upper courtyeard.

The Carney & Guinn Trio  play the rare form of jazz from 1930’s known as “Gypsy Jazz” or “Jazz Manouche”.  This style of music was made world famous over 80 years ago by guitar legend Django Reinhardt and violin virtuoso Stephane Grappelli. They also play tangos, Irish Jigs and classical pieces as well as Jazz standards.

Just look for the “red roofs” and find Factory Merchants Branson offering name-brand outlet and specialty stores with savings of 25% to 65% every day.   For more information or a complete listing of stores, please visit our website at www.BransonOutlets.com.

You Drink & Drive. You Lose.

The Hollister Police Department recently focused extra enforcement efforts on impaired driving laws July 3-5.
During the effort, law enforcement officers issued a total of 21 citations that includes 3 speeding tickets, 1 driving while intoxicated, 5 safety belt and 1 child restraint violation.

“Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is never worth the risk of a tragedy.  “We’re working to keep our roads safer” said Chief Preston Schmidt. Driving while intoxicated remains one of the top causes of fatal motor vehicle crashes in Missouri.  In 2007, 243 people in Missouri were killed in more than 7,780 alcohol-related crashes.  Enforcement efforts like this one help to take impaired drivers off the road and make travel in Missouri safer.

For more information on impaired driving, visit www.saveMOlives.com

The public is invited to numerous free activities this week marking the grand opening of Morningside, the residential community that is home to televangelist Jim Bakker.  Morningside is a residential project on 560 acres, owned by developer Jerry Crawford, who credits Bakker with saving his marriage years ago and is located at the junction of Missouri 86 and 13 in Blue Eye, Missouri, about 30 miles south of Branson.

Starting June 29, events including concerts and seminars are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. It includes the opportunity to watch the taping of the nationally syndicated Jim Bakker TV Show inside the complex that resembles a small village with a central courtyard called Grace Street. Also, the Tabernacle in Peaceful Valley will be dedicated.

The schedule of events may be found at www.jimbakkershow.com or call 417-779-9000. Evening concerts are at 7 p.m. and include performances by Ronnie and Glory-Ann Prophet on Monday, Dino and Cheryl Kartsonakis on Tuesday and a youth concert featuring Bill Ballenger and Kevin Shorey on Wednesday. Thursday’s concert features Jim Bakker with Barbara Fairchild and Roy Morris. Friday features the Frontline Worship Concert and Saturday a line-up of guests include the Rankin Brothers.

The Vietnam POW/MIAs Memorial Wall of the United States will be dedicated in a ceremony on July 4 at 10 a.m. at the Branson Mall in the Veterans Walk of Fame. The wall’s creator, Leo Voss, will be attending.

Sponsored by Branson’s Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 913, the Vietnam POW/MIAs Memorial Wall of the United States counts those who have never been found from the Vietnam War and the secret wars in Laos.  From Minnesota, Voss built the wall in 2000. A Marine who served in Vietnam, his commitment and dedication to build the wall developed through his experiences as a leader of the Southwest Minnesota POW/MIA Color Guard and through giving speeches, talking about the thousands of Americans left behind at the end of the wars waged in Vietnam and Korea.

In speaking, the numbers “go right over peoples’ heads. When you see the names – that touches peoples’ hearts,” Voss said.

Etched with some 2,560 names, it is a stark reminder of those who have not returned. Some of the names are marked with white, green and/or red stars. White stars mark the POW/MIAs whose remains have been returned – only 17 percent of those listed. Green stars are beside 11 percent of the names – POW/MIAs who might have survived captivity. Red stars, almost 10 percent, denote the soldiers who fought in the secret wars in Laos.

“What better day could we choose to dedicate this wall than the very day we celebrate our Independence? Let us not forget those who may have lost theirs,” said President of VVA Chapter 913 Bill Groninger, who served in the Air Force. “There are significances in all of those names. Each name deserves an accounting. Our group is helping update the list of names on the wall to keep it current.

Groninger said the chapter has also planned a book in memory of those on the wall and will attempt to locate information on all listed. We plan to enlist the assistance of students from Hollister (Mo.) High School with the book project. As the Memorial Wall’s creator, Leo Voss has completed the research on those from his home state of Minnesota. We want to help him with the rest. Another way the public can be involved is by supporting this project. The Branson VVA may be contacted at 417-230-6446.

Branson, MO, June 5, 2009 – Summer break is finally here and many families will visit the areas premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination – Branson Landing – to shop for new
school clothes, backpacks and all of the necessities that help make the first day of school an enjoyable experience. But, for many local families the thought of preparing their children for that much anticipated day is fought with anxiety and financial crisis. As an on-going support mechanism for the community, the Branson Landing has launched the fourth seasonal school shoe drive campaign “School Shoes for Kids”
in partnership with OnMedia Cable Company and The Mansion Entertainment and Media Center.

“Here at Branson Landing, we’ve been very fortunate to have the local community as well as visiting guests, embrace the various charitable events we’ve scheduled throughout the year. In particular, the “School Shoes for Kids” Campaign continues to be one of our biggest community successes and it is so rewarding to see both the retailers and patrons working together to provide the gift of a new pair of school
shoes to our local children in need,” stated Tammy Scholten, Director of Marketing for Branson Landing.

“Last year, we had six retail shoe stores serving as drop-off locations and we were able to collect over 800 new pairs of shoes…all of which were distributed to children living in Stone and Taney County. This year’s campaign promises to be even bigger with eight locations at Branson Landing participating, with a goal of giving in excess of 1000 pairs of new shoes to area school children,” concluded Scholten.

“As both an educator and parent, I see first hand how a child’s self-image impacts his ability to learn. Educational research has shown that there is a positive relationship between a student’s sense of self-worth and their eagerness to actively participate in the classroom environment. Providing students in need with items such as a new pair of shoes, backpacks and school supplies can make a significant impact on a positive, motivating start to the new school year,” stated Michelle Brenner, Assistant Principal at Branson High School. “It’s wonderful to continue to see how our community bands together to support our children,” added Brenner.

In a continuing effort to share this philanthropic program with the Branson entertainment industry, participating Branson Landing retailers will provide donors with one FREE child’s admission ticket to see PETER PAN, starring Cathy Rigby at the Mansion Theatre. “We were thrilled when Tammy Scholten from the Branson Landing approached us with the opportunity to share in this year’s program,” commented Larry Wilhite, General Manager of the Mansion Theatre. “Community focused campaigns that benefit our youth directly align with the Mansion’s mission statement and overall entertainment philosophy. We believe in supporting the Branson area and are proud to sponsor the program with free tickets to see PETER PAN, a family favorite” concluded Wilhite. Cathy Rigby, the starring celebrity of PETER PAN, shared Wilhite’s enthusiasm for the shoe drive. “I’m overjoyed to be associated with such a wonderful program that believes
in assisting area parents in support of the new school year. Branson has embraced me with open arms and I’m honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the success of this year’s campaign.”

Participation in the “School Shoes for Kids” program is very easy. Shoppers can simply purchase a new pair of shoes for school aged children—now through August 9th and drop them off at any of these Branson Landing business locations:
Bass Pro Shops Famous Footwear
Justice—Just for Girls Journey’s
New Balance – Branson Payless Shoes
Tradehome Shoes Branson Landing Management Office

New shoe donations will be accepted at any of the participating retailers’ drop off bins during normal operating hours now through August 9, 2009. All of the shoes collected during this campaign will be disbursed among two local charities, (Gift of Hope and Love, INC.) during their annual School Readiness Fairs held in August, as well as other assistance programs they provide throughout the year.

For additional information, visit the Branson Landing website at www.bransonlanding.com or www.bransonlandingshops.com.