What about that

Brad Stallcup, EVS manager at Cox Branson, holds up the jersey purchased by his team. (Special to Branson Globe) Submitted to Branson Globe

Brad Stallcup is a constant cheerleader for his housekeeping staff at Cox Branson, but when it comes to baseball, there’s no secret who he roots for—the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It’s a tradition that started when he was a kid growing up in California.

“My dad got polio before there was a vaccine, so he was in a wheelchair,” Stallcup explains. “One thing we could do together was go to baseball games. I’d push his chair right up to the rails. We shared a lot of memories sitting together at the stadium, which are even more special now since I lost him last year.”

His staff often gives him a hard time for loving the Dodgers so much. As they say, we live in Royals and Cardinals country and a few of them are even Yankees fans. So, when Stallcup went above and beyond to help them during the recent winter storm, they knew they had to do something to show him how much he means to them. “He got out in that snow and came and picked us all up for work,” says Melissa Castaneda. “He didn’t want us risking our safety to get to the hospital, so he set out to bring us all in. That’s just one example of the kinds of things he does for our EVS family. He’s our inspiration.” Castaneda hatched a fun plan with the EVS team to prove their love for their leader. They chipped in money to buy Stallcup a gift they knew he’d never forget: An official Dodgers jersey signed by the late Tommy Lasorda, the team’s longtime manager. “I found it online and knew he had to have it,” she says. “I asked the team if they could kick in some money for it and everybody got on board. That’s how special he is to us.”

When the jersey arrived, it was time to get sneaky. They planned an impromptu “meeting” in the patio area outside the hospital’s cafeteria and told Stallcup to meet them there. When he rounded the corner and saw them cheering, he stopped where he stood and tried not to get too emotional.

“These people are my family,” he says proudly holding his new jersey. “I believe this team saves just as many lives as doctors and nurses, and I want them to know how much they matter. When you’re as close as we are, you do anything to see them succeed and feel valued. I can never show them enough how much

SEE JERSEY, PAGE 22

Submitted to Branosn Globe

The Branson Parks & Recreation Department will host its first annual Doggie Easter Egg Hunt, in partnership with Shepherd of the Hills Humane Society, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, 2021. The event will take place at Stockstill Park located at 524 Stockstill Lane.

All dogs and their owners are invited to celebrate the Easter holiday in a fun and creative way. Dogs will remain on a leash while hunting for Easter eggs. When a pup touches their nose to an egg, into the basket it goes! Eggs will be filled with doggie treats to enjoy after the hunt. The event will feature fun prizes and even a visit from the Easter Bunny. The Doggie Easter Egg Hunt also offers a great opportunity to meet other dog owners in the area. Please bring your own Easter basket!

While the event is free, a $5 minimum donation is suggested or you are welcome to bring any item to donate to Shepherd of the Hills Humane Society that is on its wish list. You can find the Shepherd of the Hills Humane Society’s wish list on its website.

For more information or questions, please contact the Branson RecPlex at 417-335-2368 or visit the Special Events section on the Parks & Recreation website.

WANTED: People to save lives by giving blood. Friday, March 26, 2021 - Noon to 5 pm

American Red Cross Blood Drive Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church Parish Center, 202 Vaughn Drive, Branson

Please call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit RedCross Blood.org and enter OUR LADY to schedule an appointment.

C of O hosts Newt Gingrich during 2021 Spring Forum on free enterprise

Submitted to Branson Globe

College of the Ozarks hosted the 2021 Spring Forum on Free Enterprise on March 9, 2021, virtually and at The Keeter Center on the College campus.

This year, administrators chose the Honorable Newt Gingrich as the keynote speaker for the Spring Forum on Free Enterprise. He spoke about the current state of citizenship in America, the importance of free enterprise to America’s future, and the current battle between capitalism and socialism in our nation, especially among young people.

The purpose of the Forum was to introduce viewers to the history and guiding principles of two competing economic systems affecting America’s political landscape: capitalism and socialism. The discussion challenged participants to examine the underlying assumptions and moral outcomes of both systems.

“Socialism is a great threat to America’s traditional form of government,” said Vice President of Cultural Affairs and Dean of Character Education Sue Head. “Currently, there is an abundance of misinformation about socialism and the real implications of a socialist agenda. As an institution of higher education, it is incumbent on the College to expose our students to all sides of the issue, so that they are better informed to make decisions.”

The Keeter Center for Character Education hosted the annual forum. Traditionally, a prominent national figure discusses important and timely issues related to the College’s mission and values.

College of the Ozarks students, including those enrolled in free enterprise, a requirement for all business majors at the College, microeconomics and macroeconomics courses, School of the Ozarks high school students, as well as guests from other institutions, participated in an in-depth, non-partisan study of free enterprise versus socialism.

The College successfully livestreamed the sessions across campus to many C of O students, and School of the Ozarks students also participated via livestream.

Every year, College of the Ozarks offers “Big Question” courses to encourage College of the Ozarks students to grapple with the ethical implications of issues that affect their generation and generally discuss issues that involve poverty, community, faith, science, vocation and citizenship. One of those classes for spring, “Capitalism vs. Socialism,” complemented the Spring Forum event. Students in the class also participated in the live stream.

The forum included a panel of College of the Ozarks graduates from Albania, Cuba, Romania and Venezuela discussing the impact socialism and communism have had on their nation, communities and families. The discussion gave the graduates and one former faculty member an opportunity to speak on their experience under foreign government systems.

Gerti Xhembulla was born and raised in the socialist nation of Albania, where his family was condemned as an enemy of the state. Xhembulla currently serves southwest Missouri as a real estate agent.

Daniel Tirle, Esq., was born in Romania soon after the Romanian Revolution, experiencing the aftermath of the Communist regime as the country struggled for democracy and prosperity. After graduating from College of the Ozarks, Tirle became an attorney and a minister in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

A native-born Cuban, Bob Texidor fled the Castro revolution with his parents in 1960. He served as a teacher for around 40 years and is now helping to cultivate a Christian sports ministry in Cuba.

Gabriela Urbano, from Valencia, Venezuela, experienced the change of the Venezuelan government to a Socialist regime. Choosing to continue her education in the United States, Urbano graduated from College of the Ozarks in the spring of 2020 and now works as a marketing and design coordinator in Springfield, Missouri.

Your Branson Area Weekend Weather

March 19th Through March 21st

Saturday Is The First Day Of Spring! YAY! The past several days have brought all kinds of weather to The Ozarks. From Heavy rains & Storms. To cooler weather Back to warmer weather! The weather this weekend looks to Be pretty darn nice! Sunny & in the 60s Sat & Sun! Enjoy!

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Friday 61

First Day Of Spring

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Saturday 65

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Sunday Weather You Can Count On

www.bransonwx.com

"Your Always Free" News & Entertainment Source

www.bransonglobe.com

Weather Provided By: Daryl Weather

Continued from page 19 they mean to me.”

Stallcup does, in fact, do all sorts of things to show how much they mean. All you have to do is ask his staff and all of them can share a story.

“I’ve been through some dark times,” says Jessie Blount, an EVS tech. “I’ve never had a boss like Brad who cares so deeply that he’d do anything to show you how valued you are. He makes us want to come to work every day.”

Michelle Togerson says she could go on and on about the incredible deeds Stallcup does for her team, but recalls a recent “sweet” moment he shared with staff.

“I really wanted some chocolate,” she recalls with a smile. “I joked with Brad that I wanted a candy bar. He comes back a bit later with, not only a candy bar for me, but he bought more than 40 so that we could each have a little treat. That’s what he does. That’s who he is. Isn’t that incredible?”

Another housekeeper recalls her stress when she found out a prescription was going to cost her almost $200. She didn’t have that money. He found out about it and quietly paid for it from his own pocket.

The stories of gratitude could keep coming from his grateful team, but Stallcup says he’s the lucky one.

“I have such pride for these people,” he says with a pause. “They work so hard each and every day. I love each and every one of them. They truly are hospital heroes—and my heroes.”