The Branson Wings of Pride Air Show announced today that the U.S. Navy
in
Blue Angels have selected Branson as one of the team’s 2025 demonstration sites. This will be the first ever
Branson Board of Aldermen to address
BY GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist
The Branson Board of Alderman (BOA) will consider the adoption of an ordinance regulating data centers, cryptocurrency and other data mining, and similar industries at a special BOA meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Branson City Hall. Per the Branson Municipal Code, prior to sending the ordinance to the BOA, the Planning Commission reviewed and approved it unanimously at a Special Planning Commission Meeting held at Branson City Hall on July 29, 2024. On June 4, 2024, the Branson Board of Aldermen held a special meeting to consider imposing
a 100-day administrative delay and moratorium on applications and permits for developing data centers and cryptocurrency mining centers in Branson. While presenting the staff report for a moratorium, Amanda Ross, Acting Planning and Development Director for the city said that such operations have become a worldwide concern due to infrastructure requirements, energy consumption, noise pollution and other challenges. She pointed out that the Branson Municipal Code does not adequately address appropriate protections and buffers for these operations and requested a 100-day moratorium. The moratorium passed by a four (4) to
performance by the Blue Angels in Branson, Missouri, with the air show scheduled August 30-31, 2025, at
the Branson Airport (BBG).
“We are excited beyond belief to host the U.S. Navy Blue Angels at our first air
show in Branson,” said Kerry Floyd, Executive Director of Wings of Pride Air
SEE BLUE ANGELS, PAGE 3A
American Legion donates to Honor Flights
Submitted to Branson Globe
In a presentation on Saturday, July 13, Kimberling City American Legion Post #637 was pleased and honored to donate $1,700 to Honor Flight of the Ozarks. The amount of the donation will sponsor one U.S. veteran and their guardian/companion on the next Honor Flight. Honor Flight of the Ozarks is part of a nationwide organization that provides no-cost trips to Washington D.C. for veterans of America’s wars. They are taken on an escorted tour of America’s War Memorials, Armed Services Memorials, and museums. Flights are scheduled from the Springfield airport, and returning flights are met by families, friends, an Honor Guard/ Color Guard and music. For the Veterans, it is quite
From left to right: Jim Van Hook, Post #637 Trustee; Charlie Jerman, Ozarks Honor Flight; Kevin McClain, Post #637 Outgoing Commander (Photo submitted by American Legion #637)
The
Blue Angels will perform
Branson for the first time ever August 30-31, 2025 at Branson Airport. (Photo courtesy of the Blue Angels) Branson to host first time ever visit by U.S. Navy Blue Angels
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
Brashears
Set for Saturday, August 10, Brashears Furniture is offering an opportunity to come meet some furry friends who are waiting
for their “furever” homes.
The Branson event will be held at Brashears Furniture, 2750 Shepherd of the HIlls Expressway. A
similar event will be held at the Berryville, Arkansas, location where the furniture store will be teaming up with the Good
Shepherd Humane Society.
Brashears Furniture will match donations to the Humane Society as well as adoption fees
Adoption center seeks homes for special pairs of pets
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
Is now the time to bring a furry friend into your home and life? How about two? Occasionally when pets are up for adoption in a humane society or adoption center, they are considered a bonded pair, meaning they are strongly attached to each other and should ideally be adopted together.
The Branson Humane Society currently has two bonded pairs of dogs, and two bonded pairs of cats. Piper Rae and Winston lost their owner last month. Both are extremely sweet dogs who need to be adopted together.
According to a Branson Humane Society Facebook post, “We tried separating them this weekend and Winston cried and was upset without Piper Rae. We have gotten several applications on each of them, but we need a home that can love them both. They both deserve to grow old together.”
Piper Rae and Winston are a bonded pair of pooches at the Branson Humane Society Adoption Center.
Another bonded pair of dogs, Chulo and Scooter, have been together for 11 years and recently lost the person they loved. Both are housebroken, play well together and are described as sweet cuddle bugs.
On the feline side, Mikey and Holly are a bonded pair, as are Mr. T. and Mouse. Both pairs need to go to homes that will welcome two beautiful kitties. For more information on any of these bonded pairs of pets—or any pet in need of a home—contact the Branson Humane Society Adoption Center at 2837 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway or online at bransonhumanesociety.com.
International author and prayer leader comes to Prayer Center of the Ozarks
Submitted to Branson Globe Prayer Center of the Ozarks is hosting White Stone Conference with Dutch Sheets, internationally recognized author and intercessory prayer leader
on August 23 at 7 p.m. at the Branson Hillside Theatre in Branson.
As an ambassador of prayer and hope for America, Dutch has written over 20 books including “The
Beginners Guide to Intercession,” “An Appeal to Heaven” and “The Pleasure of His Company; A Journey to Intimate Fellowship with God.” His daily “Give Him 15” podcast can be viewed
on You Tube and is a source of inspiration and encouragement to many.
Attendees will hear Dutch share what God is saying to him regarding the times we are living in, why individu-
Skaggs Foundation awards grant to Mental Health Initiative
Submitted to Branson Globe Skaggs Foundation, a Stone and Taney County, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization, has granted Faith Community Health nearly $350,000 in support of its transition to Hope Counsel-
ing Center. This is the largest grant awarded through the Skaggs Legacy Endowment Fund to date. This unique grant opportunity was made possible through the newly established Request for Proposal (RFP) Grant program,
where an organization(s) is invited to apply for a grant identifying a need in our community, outside of the Skaggs Legacy Endowment Grant cycle.
“Skaggs Foundation has long recognized the need for mental health services for our community and support the clinic’s endeavors,” said Meghan Connell, President of Skaggs Foundation. “We are most excited that the use
of these funds will allow Hope Counseling Center to hire more counselors as well as provide graduate students with the necessary clinical hours to become licensed mental health care providers.”
Since 2015, Skaggs Foundation has awarded over $1.1 million to organizations specifically targeting mental health initiatives. For more information,
al and corporate prayer are a critical necessity as chaos continues to reign across our nation, and how to pray effectively. Anyone interested in becoming an active participant in the local
prayer community will find opportunities to connect with other praying believers at this gathering. This is a FREE event and the doors will open at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 23.
please visit the Skaggs Foundation website at www.skaggsfoundation.org
Skaggs Foundation was established in 2002 as a primary funding source for Skaggs Regional Medical Center. In 2013, when Skaggs hospital merged with CoxHealth, Skaggs Foundation Board of Directors chose to retain the Skaggs name. Today, Skaggs Foundation continues to invest in the health and wellness of the people in Stone and Taney counties.
We can help you with your rent, groceries and gas. Please call to get the details 417-337-3772.
Check presentation from Skaggs Foundation to Faith Community Health. Pictured from left to right: Steve Sherer, Skaggs Foundation Board Chairman; Meghan Connell, Skaggs Foundation President; Kyle David Executive Director, Faith Community Health; Tracey Field, Director of Development, Faith Community Health (Photo submitted)
House of Hope’s Cooling Center offers a
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
When temperatures in the Branson area soar, a local nonprofit offers those in need an opportunity to beat the heat.
House of Hope operates a cooling center in the same facility that houses the warming center during winter months.
“House of Hope’s Cooling Center operates when the temperature reaches 95 degrees at some point during the day,” explained House of Hope’s Alex Sprinkle. “Additionally, if a heat advisory is issued for our area, we will be open as well.”
As of Tuesday, the cooling center had been open nine days over the summer, and at press time the center
was predicted to be open daily through at least Friday.
“There have been several individuals in our community who have utilized the cooling center,” noted Sprinkle. “We average between 15 to 20 guests a day. While House of Hope primarily serves the unsheltered population, we felt it’s important to note that the cooling center is a resource for the entire community. If someone is without access to AC for any reason, they can come in and escape the dangerous temperatures.”
During the summer of 2023, the cooling center was open a total of 19 days.
Said Sprinkle, “Last year was our first year opening the center, adding this much-needed resource to
the downtown area. We averaged about 10 guests utilizing the services throughout the day. This year, we have noticed an increased utilization of services offered to the community at House of Hope, both during the Cooling Center and Warming Center.”
House of Hope offers guests more than just an opportunity to cool off.
“At House of Hope, breakfast is served Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. every week. When the cooling center is open, guests are, of course, welcome to eat breakfast before shifting upstairs to the center,” Sprinkle explained. “In addition, guests are provided with lunch, snacks and drinks. Show-
ers and laundry services are available for guests to utilize throughout the day.”
There are many ways that members of the community can assist with the House of Hope’s Cooling Center.
‘Volunteering is always an incredible way to serve the community and connect with so many of our guests throughout the day,” said Sprinkle. “Additionally, food donations are always so helpful when we have lots of guests in the center. Food and drink donation suggestions include Gatorade, juice, milk, lunch meat, cheese, Hot Pockets, microwavable meals, etc. In the case that individuals don’t want to shop but would love to contribute, they can donate online at
www.houseofhopebranson. org/donate. If you have additional questions, call the office at 417-544-0162.”
House of Hope is located at 217 Veterans Boulevard in downtown Branson. On days the cooling center is
Said
“House
Give blood, save lives, receive two free tickets to Dickerson Park Zoo
Submitted to Branson Globe Dickerson Park Zoo and Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, the sole supplier of blood, platelets and plasma to patients at 45 area healthcare facilities, are partnering together help boost the region’s blood supply for local patients. Successful donors will receive a voucher for two free general admissions to the Dickerson Park Zoo, valued at $38. Zoo admission vouchers are valid through July 31, 2025. No other discounts or coupons apply.
Continued from page 1A
Shows, the producers of the event. “The Blue Angels are known the world over for their high energy and precision flying.”
“We are only beginning to get our arms around the potential magnitude of what promises to be a great event,” said Branson Mayor Larry Milton. “The aerobatic maneuvering of skill and teamwork of the legendary Blue Angels will be on full display in our Branson skies. This event adds even more credibility to the Branson pillars of Faith, Family, Flag and Fun,” said the mayor.
The Blue Angels demonstration consists of six F/A-18 Super Hornets in the iconic blue and
Donors will also receive a limited-edition zoo themed T-shirt, while supplies last. Go wild about saving lives and donate blood at the upcoming blood drive in Kimberling City on Tuesday, August 6. Each donation can help save the lives of up to three people in the Ozarks. While all blood types are encouraged to donate, type O-negative donors are especially needed. “It is no secret that summer is a challenging time for the area’s blood supply. Hospital us-
yellow Navy colors. The aircraft will fly at speeds approaching the speed of sound and will perform maneuvers with wing tips as close as 18 inches of separation. The demonstration will also include the Blue Angels’ support aircraft, the U.S. Marine Corps C-130 Hercules “Fat Albert.”
“With the Blue Angels as our headliner, we anticipate some very special vintage aircraft, the world’s most accomplished civilian aerobatic pilots, and additional military aircraft, that is building what will be one of the top lineups in North America in 2025,” said Floyd. The show will announce additional performers, static aircraft and ground entertainment for their lineup over the next year. This promises to be a
age has recently increased, and summer activities often hinder donations,” said CBCO Media Relations Representative Michelle Teter. “We urge community members to help keep the heat off the blood supply this summer by donating with CBCO. Your blood donation can support local patients, and you never know when it might be your friend, family member, or neighbor who needs a blood transfusion. Please consider making a blood donation appointment today.”
“can’t miss” family event. Those interested in attending the show are encouraged to register for free as an “Air Show Insights” member on the show’s website. In addition to ticket access in advance of the general public, Air Show Insights members will receive periodic news
“In critical situations, access to an adequate blood supply can be lifesaving,” says Max Buetow, President and CEO of CoxHealth. “The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) provides essential blood products for our patients, and I encourage everyone to donate blood and support this vital cause. Your donation can make a significant difference for the communities we serve.”
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks donors provide all the blood for
updates about the air show and performers or static displays as they are added.
General public access to tickets will be made available online through the show’s website, beginning in mid-September.
There are corporate partnership opportunities available for companies
patients at Cox Branson, as well as dozens of healthcare facilities across the Ozarks. Branson area residents will have the opportunity to donate at the following location: Branson Community Blood Drive – The Grove Christian Church – Gymnasium, 116 Pathway, Branson, Tuesday, August 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kimberling City area residents will have the opportunity to donate at the following location:
and organizations seeking upscale hospitality options, branding opportunities, and on-site exposure. Addi-
PM
To help avoid wait times, appointments are strongly encouraged. Donors can schedule an appointment at https://www.cbco.org/ donate-blood/ or by calling 417-227-5006. Photo identification required. Please eat well and drink plenty of fluids prior to the blood drive.
room at House of Hope (FILE)
Kimberling City Community Blood Drive – Elks Lodge – Community Room, 37 Beach Boulevard, Kimberling City, Tuesday, August 6 – 9:00 AM to 3:00
• BLUE ANGELS
Reader’s Corner: Meet author Nicole Sager
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff
Writer
It’s always a pleasure to learn about a new author, especially one right in the Stone/Taney County/SW Missouri region. A Branson local of nearly 11 years, Nicole Sager has been a storyteller since childhood. She published her first book in
2012 and has since completed a number of novels, short stories and nonfiction books for a current total of 12 published works. Sager primarily writes inspirational fantasy for young adults, although her stories have been enjoyed and reviewed by readers of all ages, with Amazon re-
viewers highly recommending her books for the clean content and Christian values encased in a gripping, page-turning plot that readers don’t want to put down. Reviewers recommend starting with “The Isle of Arcrea” as a great introduction to her medieval fantasy fiction. In her author bio, Sager
states, “I hope my books will encourage families to read together. If read by children, I hope the books broaden your vocabulary just a bit and introduce you to a life of endless possibilities in Christ. If read by adults, I hope you’re inspired and encouraged to deepen your relationship with our Savior.”
Nicole Sager enjoys connecting with current and potential readers at local events, and she recently spoke during the pre-show at Branson’s Freedom Encounter Theater. This fall, you can meet Sager at Fig Tree Books & More at Branson’s Grand Village, where she will be hosted for a book signing on Saturday, October 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sager’s books are available on Amazon at https:// www.amazon.com/stores/ author/B00A623VH6/ about, or connect with her author page on Link Tree at https://linktr.ee/nicolesager_author.
Book signing event on August 5 to feature five local authors
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer / Branson Regional Arts Council
The Branson Regional Arts Council will present an exciting book signing event featuring five well-known, published authors from the Ozarks.
This free community event will offer area residents an opportunity to meet the local authors and learn the inspiration behind their books. Authors participating in the book signing are Howard C. Cavner, Todd Parnell, Tom Koob, Curtis Copeland and Marilyn Whetstone.
The authors will sign their respective books and share information on the stories of the amazing people of the Ozarks, the beautiful mountains, lakes and humorous folktales! This event is a rare chance for friends and fans to connect with the authors, and for the authors to promote their work and engage with their readership.
The book signing event is set for Monday, August 5, at 6 p.m. at the Historic Owen Theater, 205 South Commercial Street. The event is free to the public and all are encouraged to attend.
Following the book signing, those in attendance are invited to enjoy a 7 p.m. showing of the 1941 film version of the “Shepherd of the Hills” starring John Wayne, Betty Field and Harry Carey. The supporting cast includes Beulah Bondi, Ward Bond, Marjorie Main and John Qualen. The picture
was Wayne’s first film in technicolor and was based on the novel of the same name by Harold Bell Wright. The director was Henry Hathaway, who directed several other Wayne films including “True Grit” almost three decades later.
The film is sponsored by the Historic Downtown Branson Community Improvement District and the public is invited free of charge. Seating is limited to 200 people. The concession stand will be serving your favorite snacks.
“Ozark Saints” is Howard Cavner’s first book of short stories. He considers it a blessing to have lived his childhood and young adult years in Branson, Missouri, just six blocks from the Historic Owen Theater. Growing up in Branson, when it was a quaint, small town, allowed Howard to get to know many Ozark characters, among them Jim Owen, and be influenced by their common hill values. An ordained progres-
sive Christian minister, he served as an ecumenical campus minister for thirty-five years before retiring in 2018. Howard is pictured here with his loyal Hickory.
Todd Parnell will be speaking about his book, “The Buffalo, Ben, and Me, and Trails of the Heart” Todd is the retired President of Drury University, co-founder and retired CEO of THE BANK in Springfield, MO, civic leader, award-winning author inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame in 2012, environmental advocate as co-founder of the Upper White River Basin Foundation and retired Chair of the Missouri Clean Water Commission, and an eighth generation native of the Ozarks. Parnell resides in Springfield with his wife of 47 years, Betty. They are blessed with four children and seven grandchildren, for whom he has great plans on the river. His passion for engaging all in wild and
natural places speaks to individual personal benefit and growth as well as new generations of environmental advocates to protect our unique resources. His commitment to clean water in the Ozarks speaks to a precious and unique natural resource that underlays a vibrant regional water-based economy.
Tom Koob has lived in the Ozarks White River Hills for over thirty years, and will be speaking about his book “Buried by Table Rock Lake.” His study of the area’s history and culture has resulted in four nonfiction books and two novels about the region. Tom’s interaction with long-time residents has left him with an admiring respect for the strength and character of the mountain folk who have forged a good life out of the Ozarks’ hills and hollows. Curtis Copeland will also be attending with his book “Mildred, Quit Hollering!” Curtis is a lifelong resident
of the Southwest Missouri Ozarks. He graduated from Missouri State University in 1997 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Cartographic Sciences. Immediately after graduation, he was hired as a Geographic Information System (GIS) Technician for the City of Branson. Shortly thereafter, he became the GIS Manager for the City. He has also used GIS technologies to locate and map historic sites, town sites, homesteads and structures. His career with the City of Branson has provided a great deal of experience working with other government agencies, including state, federal and local entities. Marilyn Whetstone will be speaking about her book “Our Home In The Hills”. One of more than twenty-five first cousins who grew up together in the Ozark Mountains, Marilyn Michel Whetstone reveals in “Our Home in the Hills” how she experienced first-hand the joy
and comfort of being part of a large, close-knit family. In a collection of true stories and family recipes, Whetstone shares anecdotes that provide insight into her life growing up in the popular resort mecca
of the Midwest, Rockaway Beach, during the 1950s and 1960s and the lives of guests who visited the family resort during that time. While transporting others on a nostalgic trip back to a simpler time, Whetstone details how unselfish acts of sacrifice and kindness promoted healthy and lasting bonds among relatives and friends. She shares the ups and downs in her teenage relationships and offers a glimpse into her close walk with Jesus Christ. Included are recipes that have been passed down in her family for more than a hundred years, providing a backdrop to her delightful stories.
Oh my goodness, we weren’t expecting much but this place blew us out of the water. Food was amazing, the staff was attentive and the atmosphere was perfect. – Amanda H.
Whetstone (Photo submitted)
Cavner (Photo submitted)
Parnell (Photo submitted)
Koob (Photo submitted)
Copeland (Photo submitted)
Governor Parson announces historic fifth income tax cut during his administration Governor.mo.gov
On July 30, during the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the State, Governor Mike Parson announced that Missouri’s robust economy and continued revenue strength has triggered an additional income tax cut under Senate Bills (SB) 3 & 5, approved by Governor Parson in 2022. This income tax cut lowers Missouri’s top income tax rate to 4.7 percent and marks a more than 20 percent decrease in Missourians’ income tax burdens during the Parson Administration.
“As a lifelong conservative, I’m exceptionally proud to announce the fifth income tax cut of our administration,” Governor Parson said. “We know there is a lot of noise and nonsense from candidates running for political office wanting Missourians to ignore our wins and focus on their fears, but the reality is Missouri’s econ-
omy is strong. This year alone, we’ve nearly added 70,000 jobs to our economy, rank first in the nation for job growth, and businesses continue to grow and invest in our communities at a record pace. The simple fact remains: Missouri is on a solid foundation and Missourians are reaping the rewards by keeping more of their hard-earned money in their pockets, and we offer a special thanks to Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe, Senator Lincoln Hough, and all legislators in support for helping deliver these historic tax cuts to all Missourians.”
Even before this income tax cut, Missouri was ranked 11th for the lowest tax burden in the nation, including both state and local taxes, by U.S. News.
“Throughout his time in office, Governor Parson has been consistent in cutting the state’s income tax, this being the fifth cut over the last six years,” Lieutenant
Governor Mike Kehoe said.
“I was pleased to support the legislation enabling these tax cuts and am glad to see another cut triggered. This ensures Missourians’ hard-earned dollars remain where they belong – in their own pockets, where they can spend it far better and more wisely than the government. As a state, we must continue to work together to encourage economic growth by ensuring Missourians can spend more of their own money in the state’s economy.”
SBs 3 & 5, passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Parson after his special session call in 2022, included additional 0.1 percentage point income tax cut triggers when general revenue increased by $200 million, adjusted for inflation, in a given fiscal year (FY). Net general revenue collections grew by $322.6 million from FY23 to FY24. As a result, Mis-
souri’s top income tax rate will be cut from 4.8 percent to 4.7 percent, effective January 1, 2025.
This action marks the fifth income tax cut Governor Parson has implemented during his time in office and a 1.2 percentage point total reduction: 0.5 in 2019, 0.1 in 2022, 0.35 in 2023, 0.15 in 2024, and 0.1 in 2025.
Missourians’ income tax burdens have now been reduced by more than 20 percent since Governor Parson took office. This was achieved at the same time Missouri’s economy earned record wins during the Parson Administration:
• First in the nation for job growth in 2024
• More than 175,000 jobs added to Missouri’s economy (since June 2018, outpacing all neighboring states in manufacturing job growth
• Lowest unemployment rate ever recorded at 2.1
percent (April 2022)
Six consecutive years of Missouri’s unemployment rate below the national average 61 months of positive job growth – despite a global pandemic
$1.9 billion left on the bottom line thanks to conservative and balanced budgets year after year
AAA credit rating maintained all six years
40 percent general revenue growth driven by sales tax collections (i.e. Missourians spending their own money)
“This is good news for hard-working Missouri families, and proves our historic tax cut legislation is working exactly as we knew it would,” Senator Lincoln Hough said. “More money in Missourians’ pockets means more money in the economy and in turn more state revenue, and thanks to our efforts, that revenue
is leading to more tax cuts. Every day, I’ll fight for Missourians to keep more of their hard-earned money.”
Note: Section 143.011, RSMo defines net general revenue collected as all revenue deposited into the general revenue fund, less refunds and revenues originally deposited into the general revenue fund but designated by law for a specific distribution or transfer to another state fund.
Candidate for Governor, Ashcroft, officially endorsed by Trump, Missouri Right to Life
Submitted to Branson Globe
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and candidate for governor proudly announced today the endorsement of former president and current Republican Party nominee for president, Donald J. Trump.
As the campaign gears up for the primary election on August 6, this signifi -
We can help you with your rent, groceries and gas. Please call to get the details 417-337-3772.
cant endorsement shared on the media platform True Social reflects the shared vision and commitment of former President Donald J. Trump and candidate Jay Ashcroft.
Early in the gubernatorial race, Ashcroft picked up the sole endorsement of Missouri Right to Life. This makes Jay Ashcroft the only candidate in this
election to be endorsed by both Missouri Right to Life and former President Donald J. Trump.
These endorsements are a testament to candidate Jay Ashcroft’s strong track record and vision for the future of Missouri.
Ashcroft has been a steadfast supporter of Donald Trump for many years, championing his vision
and policies throughout his career. This endorsement comes as Ashcroft continues to campaign on a platform focused on public safety, education and
budget reform. With the support of former President Donald J. Trump, Jay Ashcroft aims to mobilize voters and emphasize the importance of conservative governance.
Parson (FILE)
Ashcroft (FILE)
DEATH NOTICES
Achtien, Robert Jackie 96 Branson Cremations of the Ozarks Brown, Paula 71 Galena Stumpff Funeral Home, Crane Casey, Doug 55 Warsaw Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory Cypret, Dustin Eugene Jr. 19 Springfield Stumpff Funeral Home, Crane Gandy, Robert Glen 53 Branson Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory
• HONOR FLIGHTS
Continued from page 1A
two (2) vote, with alderpersons Marshall Howden and Clay Cooper voting “No” and Alderpersons Glenn Schulz, Thomas’ Artie’ Lucas, Ralph LeBlanc, Ruth Denham voting “Yes.”
After extensive research and input from stakeholders and community members during the moratorium, the ordinance was developed, reviewed by the Planning Commission, and sent to BOA. Some of the major areas it covers are:
1.
DEFINITIONS: Definitions specific to Data Centers and Cryptocurrency Mining operations such as Data Center, Cryptocurrency, Cryptocurrency Data Center, Commercial Cryptocurrency Mining, Cryptocurrency Server Farm, and Manufactured Engineered Non-Residen-
an emotional experience; for some, this is the welcome home they deserved and did not get following their service. For Honor Flight infor-
tial Unit (MENU).
Of particular importance in terms of regulating the chief complaint over the operation of these facilities, the noise they generate, are the following definitions:
Decibel (dB): Decibel (dB) means a decibel(dB) is ten (10) times the common logarithm of the ratio of two power terms expressed in the same units of power.
Sound Pressure Level (SPL): Sound Pressure Level (SPL) means the sound pressure levels stated in dB units referenced to 20 micropascals, with a C frequency weighting and a 10 mS response with peak detection per ANSI S1.42014.
Noise: Noise means any sound which annoys or disturbs humans or which causes or tends to cause an adverse psychological or physiological effect on
humans.
Noise Disturbance:
Noise Disturbance means any sound which: (a.) Endangers or injures the safety or health of humans or animals; or (b.) Annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities; or (c.) Endangers or injures persons or real property.
2. LIMITED TO INDUSTRIAL ZONING
DISTRICTS: the Table of Permitted Uses in the BMC is modified to permit the operation Data Centers only in Industrial Zoning Districts and then only with a Special Use Permit.
3. USE AND STRUCTURE STANDARDS:
Provisions in the BMC are amended to “emphasis that Industrial uses shall not cause the dissemination of vibration or noise in excess of the maximum environmental noise level as established by Branson
mation, to sign up a veteran, or to serve as a volunteer, contact 417-268-9052
Municipal Code of Ordinances contained within Chapter 58 and Chapter 94, of Branson Municipal Code.”
4. SPECIAL USE STANDARDS: This requirement covers certain conditions that must be met as part of the Special Use Permit request. These conditions include specific site requirements, such as sound and noise requirements and utilities and resource conditions.
5. LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING FOR UTILITY AND SERVICE SCREENING: This section covers the general requirements for mechanical equipment screening. It requires that the Manufactured Engineered Non-residential Units (MENUs), which will generate the majority of the heat and noise from the operation, be hidden “from view by a
or visit https://www.honorflightoftheozarks.org. The next flight is currently scheduled for August 14, with another planned for October 2024.
combination of landscaping, an opaque fence, or a decorative wall. The fence or wall shall be of a height equal to, or greater than the height of the MENU being screened.”
At the Special Planning Commission Meeting on July 29, the primary concern expressed during the Public Hearing was the potential noise these operations could generate and how the ordinance proposed measuring noise levels using Sound Pressure Level (SPL) instead of the less restrictive Decibel (dB). The proposed ordinance reads, “The SPL attributable to infrastructure of the data center property shall not exceed 65 dBC, as measured at all data center property line. For data centers located within 500 feet of any allowed residential use or district, place of worship, daycare, park
and educational facilities, the SPL attributable to the facility shall not exceed 55 dBC at all data center property line.”
During the Public Hearing, representatives of a company that currently runs data centers and cryptocurrency mining centers and wants to operate in Branson made comments suggesting that the less restrictive method of measuring sound, dB, be used. Another commenter pointed out that many sound engineers use the SPL method when setting sound levels at theaters and other public venues. The Planning Commission left the ordinance presented by staff with the more restricting SPL method of measuring sound.
The public will have an opportunity to comment on the ordinance during the BOA meeting on August 1.
Neubauer, Arlene E. 82 Branson Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory Robbins, Carolyn A. 80 Kansas City/Kirbyville Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory Shamblin, Kimmie (Brown) 41 Galena Stumpff Funeral Home, Crane
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Your sleep shall be sweet
BY TIFFANY GRAVETT Staff Writer
“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea,
thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” Proverbs 3:24
Ionce saw a newspaper comic with a guy laying down in bed and around him were several quote bubbles that said things like…
“Remember that bully that pushed you down into the mud in second grade?...
Remember your electric bill that’s due tomorrow?...
Remember that time you were talking bad about your boss and didn’t know he
was standing behind you?”
At the bottom of the comic were the words, “Bob quickly regretted purchasing the memory foam mattress.”
Most of us can relate to Bob’s plight, but unfortunately, we can’t always blame it on the kind of mattress we sleep on. Fear, anxiety, stress and sadness can often steal our sleep, leaving us functioning at a much lower capacity than normal and ingesting ungodly amounts of caffeine. Then because of all
the caffeine we’ve had that day, sleep then eludes us the next night as well. And so, the cycle continues.
Thankfully, God has provided a way for His children to have a great night’s sleep no matter what circumstances they may face. This was a fact that I learned quite well as a child when I would lay there with eyes wide open imagining what monsters or bad guys might be lurking in my closet or under my bed. The thoughts and
fears that keep me awake have changed as I’ve grown, but the words that brought peace and comfort have never changed…. “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deut. 31:8).
When a person gets a full grasp of who God is in all His omnipresent, loving, protecting, forgiving, powerful character and places their trust in who He says
He is, their life will reflect the words of the Proverb: “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet” (Proverbs 3:24). Whether it is a childlike fear of what lurks in the dark, the anxiety that comes from the daily stress of adulting, or regrets from mistakes you’ve made, nothing can steal your peace, joy, or sleep when those worries are placed in the hands of God.
pinion
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BY GARY J. GROMAN a.k.a. The Ole Seagull
In doing some research regarding the first website on the internet dedicated to the promotion of Branson, the Ole Seagull got a surprise. He entered the query, “Who is considered the father of the internet in terms of promoting Branson, Missouri?” into Open AI’s GPT4.o. The reply said, “The title of ‘Father of the Internet’ in terms of promoting Branson, Missouri, often goes to Gary Groman. Gary Groman, also known as ‘The Ole Seagull,’ has been a significant figure in online promotion and content creation for Branson. He was instrumental in developing and maintaining early websites dedicated to showcasing Branson’s tourism attractions, entertainment options and local businesses. [That early website was “Branson.com.”]
“Groman’s efforts helped
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS Staff Writer
On Tuesday, August 6, I will join many others in heading for my local precinct voting site (yes, in person, ID in hand) to vote in primary elections. I’ve tried to do my research, made more difficult by an overwhelming number of negative ads, I’ve also been
BY JOSHUA HESTON StateoftheOzarks Media & Design
Iwas an adult before I learned you could buy pretty fruit from the store and in weird ways, that reality shaped my world. Over and again, I grew up in two opposing worlds simultaneously. At once, my outside world was reflected by my father’s respectable white collar engineer job. He went to work dressed in suit and tie, with shiny shoes. His colleagues’ families lived in staid suburban homes and spent outlandish money on
transition Branson’s marketing from traditional media to the digital age, making information more accessible to a global audience. His work has had a lasting impact on how Branson is perceived and marketed online, earning him recognition as a pioneering figure in the town’s digital promotion.”
The Ole Seagull then entered the query, “Who is considered the father of internet marketing in terms of promoting Branson, Missouri?”
The reply said, “The person often considered the father of internet marketing in terms of
promoting Branson, Missouri, is Larry Milton. Larry Milton, along with his wife Lianne, played a pivotal role in the early days of internet marketing for Branson through the development and promotion of the website, branson.com.
“Larry Milton recognized the potential of the internet as a powerful marketing tool to attract visitors to Branson, and he invested significant efforts into creating a comprehensive and user-friendly online resource. Branson. com became a central hub for information about Branson’s entertainment, attrac-
tions, lodging and dining, effectively putting Branson on the digital map. His foresight and dedication in leveraging the internet for tourism marketing have had a lasting impact on the town’s promotion and growth, making him a key figure in Branson’s digital marketing history.”
Interestingly, the Ole Seagull’s initial query into Open AIs GPT-4o was, “What was the first internet site dedicated to promoting Branson, Mo.?” The reply was, “The first internet site dedicated to promoting Branson, MissouSEE OLE SEAGULL, PAGE 5B
Reflections: Power and responsibility
thinking about my Bible study of the book of Daniel. (Funny how that timing worked out.)
In Daniel chapter 3, we see King Nebuchadnezzar commissioning a huge gold statue and commanding that on a certain day, upon hearing music played, everyone must bow and worship that statue. Everyone, no exceptions. This included Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who held key positions thanks to Daniel’s miraculous interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. We don’t know where Daniel was that day; some scholars suggest since his position was different from
that of his friends, he was simply attending to other duties, but I’m pretty sure he would have stood firmly with the others if faced with the same choice.
So, how does this tie in with the elections? Take a look at the previous chapter, when Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about a different statue, with a head of gold and successively less expensive/durable materials down to the feet. Daniel explains that Nebuchadnezzar, as ruler of the Babylonian empire, is symbolized by the head of gold.
Here’s where I start wondering. Nebuchadnez-
zar seemed genuinely impressed by God’s power shown through Daniel in the dream incident, but did he truly understand? Maybe he let that “head of gold” business cause him to think “how cool am I” rather than “wow, I’d better respect that God and do what He says.”
The world hadn’t yet heard Uncle Ben’s admonition to Spiderman that “with great power comes great responsibility.”
Whatever the reason, chapter 3 is a huge promotion of Nebuchadnezzar’s own power. Yes, the Babylonian empire was powerful and, with things like the Hanging Gardens, beau-
tiful. What ol’ Neb didn’t get, though, was that God wasn’t just on hand to interpret dreams; He was the one who allowed the Babylonian conquest and placed Neb in his position. When we look at the candidates for the various state and local positions, including those we send to Washington, D.C., this Old Testament story seems quite relevant. The Old Testament makes it clear God allowed rulers to be involved in accomplishing His will, and the New Testament book of Romans also states it is God who allows leaders to be in place. As I SEE REFLECTIONS, PAGE 5B
Been Thinkin’ About... Ugly peaches all
drapes and new furniture. There was an accommodating middle American expectation to it all, certain ways of talking, certain ways of thinking, a sort of firm 1980s’ plushness in teal and mauve.
In my early years before homeschool, there was — along with a classroom that wasn’t the dining room table — a thing called a “field trip” and my mom always drove us kids as a precaution that somebody didn’t lose me in a parking lot somewhere. There was the museum with a special collection of John James Audubon duck art. There was the forest center, where the unseasoned tour guide couldn’t tell the difference between a robin’s nest and a squirrel’s nest. Strange to think she must be elderly
From our readers...
‘Votes like a flaming liberal’
The most outlandish political ad I have seen this season and there have been several, but the TV ad against Bill Eigel that states that Bill “votes like a flaming liberal’ gets the prize. I decided to check Bill’s voting record. I went to the website, ‘American Conservative Union’ which anyone can, and just put the Missouri legislator’s name in, and you will see his conservative voting record. Bill Eigel in 2023 had a perfect 100% conservative voting record. His strengths were taxes, budget, spending, education, labor, and law and judicial. His weakness issues were none.
Then I checked Mike Kehoe’s conservative record for 2023. His voting record
was 64%. His strength was labor. His weakness was taxes, budget and spending. That means a third of the time Kehoe does not vote conservative.
That is the real flaming truth. Their voting records prove it. I will proudly vote for Conservative Republican Bill Eigel in the Republican Primary on August 6. Thank you, James Plummer Branson ***
The MORE Syndrome
There is an ongoing disease that plagues us all, especially over the past 150 years. As titled, it is the MORE syndrome. We are all victims one way or another. It pretty much started with the industrial revolution. Since its start men and women have been devel-
by now. She was so young, then, whoever she was. And then there was a seasonally appropriate trip to the local orchard where we were loaded onto a real live hay wagon and allowed to pluck Granny Smith apples from a real live apple tree.
It wasn’t my first trip to the orchard. My mom and I would visit often, picking our way through the bags of grade A fruit and fancy displays of fudge or apple cider donuts or hand-dipped taffy apples. I have a weakness for taffy apples and always asked for one, and was almost always refused. “They are too expensive.” “We can make them at home for a tenth of the price.” And, “No, you don’t need one.” I learned early on that such trips were not about a fancy on-the-farm experience.
oping millions of products from a better mouse trap to traveling in space, to the worst nuclear bomb. And that includes all the little stuff, big stuff, and time saving things we all enjoy. Much of it has been an asset to our lives as the changing world found new inventions necessary to make life more pleasant and cope with its everyday issues.
The MORE syndrome has multiplied drastically since the Covid pandemic in 2019 began. People everywhere were isolated to a major extent to avoid becoming a victim of Covid’s’ devastating attack on the human body. Wearing masks, avoiding close contact with anyone else, in some cases even family members. Not going out to eat and even changing shopping habits,
We already had a farm. My mom had made sure of that as well. No, we were visiting to look for bad fruit. By August, the peach season was winding down and the orchard would put out bushel boxes of spoiling peaches for sale. Fruit flies buzzed, the peaches were soft and brown. The boxes were soggy and wafted a faintly winey smell. Suburban mothers in nice clothes walked by and turned up their noses. My mom in worn blue jeans and a flannel work shirt would hoist the boxes deftly, despite her small frame, and we would haul them to the front for check-out. I would admire the beautifully pristine taffy apples, knowing I wasn’t going to get one, and then we would take our spoiling fruit home. Spoiling peach-
doctor visits, etc. So, when people were relieved of the anxiety and pressure, in many cases they tended to overdo it. And since then, there seems to be a need for MORE of everything.
However, the changes have created other problems. Inflation has gone crazy in the past few years causing people to want more income to buy products including food to offset the rise in cost of everything. A funny part of all the advertising is although the prices have multiplied, the ads love the words “now only” ---. I preferred the now only when products were five-10 times cheaper in the past. Here’s somewhat how it happens.
The manufacturing company creates a product. It hires employees to produce
es have an exceedingly short shelf life. In fact, they usually have no shelf life at all. Once home, the dining room table would be immediately cleared, fruit flies and gnats would buzz in the air, and we would slice and peel and freeze peaches with abandon, working until the job was done. The rotting leftovers were thrown to the chickens.
Farming life — real farming life — is undignified and un-pretty. The realities of life and death and day-to-day on a farm, even a small farm, ranges from mundane to tragic to comically unpleasant but rarely resembles the strange “farmhouse chic” we see in the magazines. It’s hard to be classically fancy when you have chicken poop on your
and assemble their product. They then advertise to sell it. Thousands more products of other kinds are produced and our eyes get bigger than our pocketbooks. All of a sudden, we need more bucks to purchase them. So, we tell our boss we need a raise in pay. After negotiating, we get that raise. Now the manufacturer has to raise the price of his product to compensate for additional labor costs. This causes inflation. This being repeated by thousands of companies over and over to where we are now. And we as individuals, are partly to blame so I guess we have to go with the flow.
So those millions of items have gone up to 10 times what they were not that long ago. Since 2010,
BY HEATHER HAYGOOD Columnist
T
he best thing about reflecting on the past is learning what not to take
BY PAT LAMB Columnist
What do we tell our children about all the violence that is happening in our world? Can we shield them from it?
Your love journey
into your future . Love like anything else in life, is learned. If our parents argued and yelled, and we learned that love is dramatic and high emotion. If our parents supported each other and spoke highly of each other to their children, and to one another, we learned that love is safe and supportive. In order to understand our own hangups, with love and relationships,
we must take a moment to reflect on what we learned from our own family. There is a quote many people have been passing around on the Internet that states “Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it”. Remember the past, learn from it and let it go. Learning is essential, we cannot simply say, “I will never be like my mom“. In order to avoid
making the same mistakes as your own mother, or father, you have to understand why they made their mistakes in the first place. What was her family life like? How did her parents treat each other? Did she feel loved and supported? “I will never”…..Is a great way to assure that you will someday. It is a blanket statement with very little understanding and a lot of negative emotion. There is
a universal truth that says “ where attention goes energy flows”.
Letting go is the last piece of the past puzzle. We do not want to carry past woes into our future. The act of letting go is a nonnegotiable piece of building a bright future.
Soren Kierkegaard said “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forward.” I
encourage you to seek understanding, learn without judging, forgive, and let go. Your future can be one of hope, new beginnings, and opportunities to plant love for the next generation. If you would like to learn more about how to let go, I encourage you to visit my website hshaygood.com click “The Love Journey” link and order a copy of my book for yourself.
Train Up a Child: Children and violence in the news
Should we just ignore it?
Since the beginning of time, there has been a struggle between good and evil. Children need to be told that God wants good for everyone. Satan is the author of evil. All people have to choose which they will follow. No choice means that people just do what they feel like doing and that is usually bad. It is the condition of the heart that determines our actions. No law can make people be good on the inside. Love cannot be legislated.
We hope our children will choose good, but as parents, we must teach them what is good and what is bad.
It is impossible to completely shield children from all bad news. We may succeed in keeping part of it away from them, but as they grow older, they will hear more and more. It takes wisdom to know the amount of information to give children. Some children are able to handle more than others at certain ages. The parent is in the best position to know
what a child can process. It is better to help a child with understanding rather than just leave it for the child to have to face alone in the future. To ignore the bad news completely leaves a child wondering and often confused. There is no doubt that our children have a great challenge in their future. We need to do all we can to prepare them. Nothing is better to prepare them than to give them a foundation of Scripture. Parents can never go wrong in helping children
memorize Scripture. Taking them to church can go a long way in giving support for spiritual development. Listening to their concerns and answering to the best of our ability is also important. It is okay to say, “I don’t know. Maybe we can figure it out together.” It is natural for children to ask why God lets bad people hurt others. The answer is that God can do everything but one thing. He created us so that we have the right to choose. He cannot choose
Out of the Mouth of Little Doug [A special edition of Out of the Mouths of Babes]
COMPILED BY TIFFANY
GRAVETT
While perusing Facebook for kid quotes one day, I stumbled upon a 2022 post from a mother desperately asking for prayers for her dying 7-year-old son, little Doug. Little Doug had been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and acute heart failure shortly after his sixth birthday and had developed an infection. The children’s hospital he was in at the time said he had a zero percent chance of survival, and that it was a “waste of their time” to try to perform the needed surgery because it had never been done on a pediatric patient before. However, his parents, Doug
BY LAURI LEMKE THOMPSON, Columnist
During the years I was in the work force, I participated in the human rat race.
I often rushed around, thinking that certain tasks simply had to be done immediately, right then and there.
When I worked as an administrative assistant to an attorney he would tell me,
BY EVANGELIST TIM KIDWELL,
Branson Church of Christ
You are near death’s doorstep. The only thing that seemingly may save your life is an experimental medical procedure. You do not have the needed funds, and your health insurance will not cover the very expensive sur-
• BEEN THINKIN’
Continued from page 2B
(a.k.a. Big Doug) and Cami, chose to believe what God was telling them over the dim prognosis of the doctors. They fought what Cami calls the fight of their lives to get little Doug out of that hospital and into a place that could offer some hope. Texas Children’s Hospital and their team of experts investigated the situation and agreed to do the extremely risky surgery and warned little Doug’s family that there was a very low chance of success. But for his parents, a little hope was better than no hope at all. Miraculously, the surgery was a success and Little Doug is now a bright, thriving 10-year-old! He not only faces every chal-
lenge with big faith, but also with an amazing sense of humor! Today’s kid quotes are from a book published by his mother as a way of documenting his “resilient, fun-loving, exuberant” perspective on life. “The Wisdom of Little Doug” can be purchased on Amazon, and all proceeds go into Little Doug’s savings fund! ***
Little Doug: “Mom, I like trains…But I DON’T like Potty trains!” –age 2 ***
Little Doug: “Mom, I REALLY wanna be BIG!” Me: “Like big as an elephant?” Little Doug: “No, not that big.” Me: “Like big as a bear?” Little Doug: “No, not that big Mom,
The joke was on us
“This absolutely has to go out today.” It frequently meant my staying late to finish the assignment, dropping it in the building’s mailbox on my way out.
Our law office was one of the first three business tenants in a newly constructed office building. For over two weeks, those of us working in the building each day dutifully placed our outgoing mail into the official U.S. Postal Service box on the first floor.
Then my co-worker received an overdue notice from the electric company for her personal apartment. She was certain that she had mailed the utility a check
two weeks before – from our building. She investigated and learned that no one managing the brand-new office building had notified the post office that several businesses inside were up and running. We had been putting our mail into that mailbox and the mail had just been sitting there, never being picked up.
Here’s the kicker. Until that gal received her overdue notice, not one of our law firm’s clients – no one in any office anywhere – had ever called to say “I was expecting a document from you and haven’t received it yet.” Not one! I felt like the joke was on us. The experience got me
I just wanna be DADDY big.” –age 3 ***
Being that Little Doug loves all things creepy, he loves the show “Goosebumps.” We had just finished an episode and I said: “Ok, it’s time to get ready for bed.” After Little Doug did his typical begging to watch “just one more,” he finally gave up, and we went upstairs to get ready for bed. I picked out his favorite Monster PJs and Little Doug said: “Mom, I am still scared from that Goosebumps we watched, so I don’t think I should wear the monster pajamas to bed…I think to be safe…I should wear my church clothes.” –age 4
thinking about the word “urgent.” All those letters and documents my employer had considered urgent turned out to not be urgent at all! There had been no genuine need for me to stay late all those nights. Or for us to pay the extra postage to cover overnight or two-day service which we usually used because, well, the client “needed it.”
So, false urgency? How many other things in life that we consider urgent may not be? Is the joke on us more than we imagine?
And what’s the difference between the urgent and the important anyway? Charles E. Hummel wrote a classic
Would you accept blood money?
gery. But on this day a man from the community enters your hospital room. The man is well known for his reputation of being a drug dealer, sex trafficker and even possibly connected to murder. In his extended hand is a check made out to you for more than enough money to cover the cost of the surgery. He looks you in the eye and says, “You know how I got this money.” Many people would not even hesitate as they gratefully accepted the blood money - “money obtained ruthlessly and at a cost of
feet but I hardly ever remembered to put on shoes when I gathered eggs in the chicken house. Nonetheless, our bushels-of-rotting-peaches excursions were regular life for me, and we would do the same with mostly bad apples in late October or early November. The apple pies were worth it, as was digging into freezer boxes of freshly frozen, treeripe peaches in mid-January. The peaches were supposed to be for pies and cobblers but I ate my fair share of them while watching Ducktales or roller skating in circles in the basement. Proximity to
suffering to others” (Dictionary.com).
Now you, a Christian, face the moral dilemma: “What to do?” If you refuse the “gift,” you probably will die. Is it wrong to benefit from the sinful behavior of another? Think about it; you did not have anything to do with the harm that befell others because of the money. You do not approve of how the money was obtained. But, the money itself has nothing to do with good or evil. It is just an inanimate object which can be used for either purpose. You are not
the big deep freeze with the Marineland Florida bumper sticker had its advantages. More than that, I learned — without words — some critical lessons. First, good things come in seasons and no matter how delicious or wonderful those things are, the seasons will pass. If you’re lucky, another sea-
directly connected to the evil. You are just a BENEFICIARY: “a person or group that receives benefits, profits, or advantages” (Dictionary.com). Is there a clear-cut biblical answer? Consider the account of our Lord’s betrayal in Matthew 27:3-8; Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” 5 Then
***
I was out behind the backyard fence…I could see up ahead that Little Doug came out the gate and was walking toward me. I could tell he had a very downcast demeanor, so as he got close, I said: “Why do you have such a sad face, Little Doug?” He said: “Because I’m ALREADY five years old and I STILL have NEVER had my own pet butterfly!” –age 5 *** Little Doug was gaming and he yelled to me: “Mom! Come quick! I’m about to defeat the Ender Dragon!” Me: Eye roll. Little Doug: “Mom! It’s a big deal!” Me: “Oh really? What do you get for killing him?” Little
little book called “Tyranny of the Urgent” which you may find helpful in thinking about these things and setting your priorities accordingly.
The six of us in that law office were able to laugh off our little mailbox fiasco. But the joke won’t be so funny if years go by and we repeatedly choose to do what we think is urgent only to wake up one day and ask ourselves the following question: “Why have I left so many truly important things undone? I meant to do them. What filled up all my time? Uhoh. What if it was all that stuff I treated as urgent!”
for us. If He could, we would be like puppets. He wants us to choose the good and not the bad. He sees everything and it makes Him sad when people choose wrongly. He gave us the Bible to tell us how to choose the right way. He wants us to choose to love Him, not be forced to love Him. He wants us to choose to love others. If others were forced to love us, it would not seem like real love. It is the same with God. It is important to have a choice and to choose wisely.
Doug: “An Ender Dragon Egg.” Me: (confused look) “So…you kill him and then you have to raise his kid?!” Little Doug: “Yep! He’s smart…it’s the ultimate revenge!” –age 6 *** Me: “Why did you leave this one last bite on your fork?” Little Doug: “Because my neck was full.” Me: Blank stare. Little Doug: “Mom, can I have a donut?” Me: “I thought your neck was full?” Little Doug: “My neck is full, but my belly isn’t.” –age 7 Quotes used with permission from “The Wisdom of Little Doug,” by Cami Behl, Little Doug’s mother. Book link: “The Wisdom of Little Doug”
For example, someone may ask himself later in life
“What if I too often chose finishing reports at the office over having dinner at home with my spouse?” Another may wonder “What if I ignored my daughter’s frequent pleas to play a game with her just because I wanted to tackle a home repair that could easily have waited with no adverse effects?”
Yes, I understand that certain things in life, of course, are legitimately urgent – but maybe not as many as we think. Something to at least ponder.
he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” 7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Why was the betrayal money not an acceptable “lawful” gift to God? The money was therefore used to purchase a cemetery for strangers who died in the land. No living person benefited. Is it proper for us to accept what God refuses?
Now apply that line of reasoning to the benefits of harvesting from aborted children. You were not involved. You do not agree with the murder by abortion. You cannot undo what has already been done. Besides, if you do not accept the help, there are plenty of others who will. Is it proper for us to accept what God refuses? Will you accept the thirty pieces of silver?
son will come around again. But the passage of time is a melancholy thing and thus savoring the moment of something “in season” is a special thing indeed. Second, providence and good bounty come with a hell of a lot of work and you’d best know what you’re doing. Third, the best fruit is sometimes the ugliest, the most overlooked, and you can live mighty good on what the less astute and more privileged just throw away. My mom believed, I think, that thriftiness was next to godliness, embodying an inescapably early settler work ethic, one woefully out of place in her otherwise suburban world in which everything, including friendships, was disposable. Live isn’t easy, that much is certain. And the best things in life may not be the prettiest, or last forever, but such things should never be taken for granted. Beneath the facades, beyond the expectations, the things that matter are ugly peaches all.
Dave Ramsey’s EntreLeadership: It gets easier, and more accurate, over time
and all the varying expenses often make it difficult to budget correctly. I also have about $240,000 in debt from bad financial decisions in the past. Do you have any suggestions for budgeting in a volatile industry like mine?
Dave,
Recently, I began running my farm operation debt-free. I have 350 acres,
DR. RICHARD BAKER, AIF®, is the founder of and an executive wealth advisor at Fervent Wealth Management. https://www. facebook.com/Dr.RichardBaker
Ibought a first-year model GMC truck a few years ago and had to have it towed three times in the first month. The computer was causing the emergency brake to lock up and not release. It took GM a few weeks to work out a computer patch, but once they did, it has been one of the best vehicles I’ve ever owned. GM might be better at patching than innovating.
As someone who’s thinking about buying
Thomas Thomas, First, you want to set up a separate budget and run a profit and loss statement. You’ll want to estimate the income for the year as best
you can, and you’ll need to estimate your expenses item by item and category by category for the year. After that, you’ll want to break it down by month. This is called laying out a business pro forma—a business budget. Next, you’ve got two goals to work toward with your profits. By profits, I mean after you’ve paid household expenses. That includes a living wage, enough to operate, keep
food on the table, the lights on and that sort of thing. After basic living expenses are out of the way, your net profit in the business should be divided between retained earnings—or savings—and debt reduction. The idea is that you’re going to put the lion’s share toward paying off debt for now. Still, you need to have something set aside for a rainy day. In your case, that could be taken literally.
Keep in mind that in business, retained earnings are used for more than just emergencies. They’re also for buying more land, equipment and anything else that’ll grow your operation. But you always want a pad in there. What if you have an unusual year, and your budget estimates are way off? It could be unexpected expenditures, or the fact you simply had a bad year. In business, that’s an emergency, and you’d take
that out of retained earnings. Doing a budget, whether it’s in business or personal finance, gets easier and more accurate with time and practice. You won’t get everything right the first couple of tries, but with a little time and experience your budgeting skills and estimates will become more accurate. I hope this helps, Thomas. Thanks for all your hard work!
Dave
Stock Market Insights: GM’s shifting strategy – a lesson for U.S. businesses
General Motors’ earnings report was noticeably better this week than Wall Street’s estimates. It focused less on China and electric vehicles and more on North American trucks. Does the American economy need to do the same thing?
The phrase “As goes GM, so goes the Nation” comes from a 1953 congressional hearing by Charles Wilson, the CEO of GM at the time. He thought that since GM was the largest manufacturer of its time and America was dependent on GM’s economic production, whatever was good for GM was generally good for America. Those hearings led to Wilson becoming President Eisenhower’s Secretary of Defense.
GM is no longer the largest U.S. employer now that Walmart and Amazon have grown so much. Howev-
er, U.S. businesses could learn something from a GM that won’t seem to die. While GM filed for bankruptcy as recently as 2009, it has tried to maneuver its way back into respectability, and some of its moves are worth watching.
GM’s CFO Paul Jacobson said in a news conference, “It was truly a great first half and second quarter, and we’re positioned to have a very strong year.” So, what repositioning has GM made?
1. They are pulling back on China. GM entered the Chinese market in 1997 when the Buick brand became one of the most popular brands in the country. They are reducing inventories in China to better match customer demand after their Chinese operations lost $104 million last quarter.
2. GM is pulling back on electric and self-driving
vehicles. GM announced that it is indefinitely pausing production of its self-driving car, Cruise, after a huge drop in demand following an October accident in which a driverless Cruise hit and dragged a woman 20 feet. They are also delaying a new Buick electric vehicle and a new EV truck factory because of slower-than-expected electric vehicle adoption by U.S. consumers. GM lost over $600 million last quarter on electric cars and self-driving vehicles.
3. They are refocusing on their core vehicles. GM is redirecting marketing and attention to its North American operations, especially its core truckand-SUV business, which had earnings of over $4 billion because of a 40% earnings in-
crease. These huge numbers pushed GM to beat estimates despite large losses in EVs, driverless cars and China.
It is no longer “As goes GM, so goes the Nation,” but maybe it should be: As GM shifts, so should U.S. businesses as well.
The businesses in America that are thriving in this challenging environment are those that aren’t getting too far ahead of their customers’ spending habits. Even as I write this, the Nasdaq is dropping after lackluster Google and Tesla earnings, worrying investors that Big Tech’s train is slowing down. GM is weaning itself off of China and letting its customers tell it when they want more electric vehicle options. Refocusing on its “bread and butter” might be a good strategy for many other companies. Profits can be made in China and other international areas, but the biggest source of profits is found in North America with products Americans are familiar with. The shift back to North America is fully in force, and change is speeding up as more companies see how difficult it is to do business in China. The companies that make the shift will be rewarded, while those who don’t will struggle.
How the economy impacts mortgage rates
or selling a home, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates – and wondering what’s ahead.
One thing that can affect mortgage rates is the Federal Funds Rate, which influences how much it costs banks to borrow money from each other. While the Federal Reserve (the Fed) doesn’t directly control mortgage rates, they do control the Federal Funds Rate. The relationship between the two is why people have been watching closely to see when the Fed might
I saw the guy who oversees the service department at the local GMC dealership at a restaurant last weekend. He said, “Have you had any more problems with that brake?” I laughed and said no. He said, “You know, sometimes GM gets a little ahead of itself but almost always figures it out in the end.” I think he might be more right than he knows. Have a blessed week! www.FerventWM.com
lower the Federal Funds Rate. Whenever they do, that’ll put downward pressure on mortgage rates. The Fed meets next week, and three of the most important metrics they’ll look at as they make their decision are: the rate of inflation
• how many jobs the economy is adding the unemployment rate
Here’s the latest data on all three.
The Rate of Inflation
You’ve probably heard
a lot about inflation over the past year or two – and you’ve likely felt it whenever you’ve gone to buy just about anything. That’s because high inflation means prices have been going up quickly. The Fed has stated its goal is to get the rate of inflation back down to 2%. Right now, it’s still higher than that, but moving in the right direction (see graph above, left).
How Many Jobs the Economy Is Adding
The Fed is also watching
how many new jobs are created each month. They want to see job growth slow down consistently before taking any action on the Federal Funds Rate. If fewer jobs are created, it means the economy is still strong but cooling a bit – which is their goal. That appears to be exactly what’s happening now. Inman says: “. . . the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that employers added fewer jobs in April and May than previously thought and that hiring by private companies was sluggish in June.” So, while employers are still adding jobs, they’re not adding as many as before. That’s an indicator the economy is slowing down after being overheated for quite some time. This is an encouraging trend for the Fed to see. The Unemployment Rate:
The unemployment rate is the percentage of people who want to work but can’t find jobs. So, a low rate means a lot of Americans are employed. That’s a good
BY DAVE RAMSEY, CEO, Ramsey Solutions, and an eight-time No.
1 national best-selling author, and host of The Ramsey Show
BY HEATHER TANKERSLEY, REALTOR®, provides services for residential, commercial, land and lake properties in the Branson Tri-Lakes area.
BY JODY JOHNSON GODFREY Wellness Design Specialist
Bergamot-red, with the scientific name of Monarda Didyma: This is a widely cultivated garden plant due to its stunning scarlet flower. This one is closely related to the Wild Bergamot. The reason for its common name is due to the scent that parallels the Bergamot Orange. The description of the Bergamot - red would be that it is an attractive scarlet flow-
• OLE SEAGULL
Continued from page 2B
A to Z Herbology
er, an aromatic herb, grows great in gardens and wildly attracts bees and butterflies. This herb is named after the Spanish Botanist Nicholas Monardes. The plant is considered hardy and likes sun, does better in alkaline soil, but can survive in any soul. The flower color is red, of course, with the flowering period being July thru September. This strikingly beautiful perennial is hardy in the UK but can suffer in winter wet soils, so it is better suited to well drained positions. It can tolerate a bit of shade, but on the whole, prefers the sun most of the day. It is quite prone to powdery mildews, and a site that isn’t crowded with plants helps this by allowing some air circulation around the leaves. As a herba-
ceous perennial, it dies down completely in autumn and then resurfaces in the spring! It also does well in pots. The beautiful scarlet flowers look amazing added to summer drinks and fresh fruit salads. The slightly mint tasting leaves can be used in salads and to adorn fruit. Both flowers and leaves can be infused in hot water or honey to
help with coughs and colds, and BOTH can be added to a bath or herbal steam for inhalation therapy for congestion. All parts can be dried for future use by hanging out of direct sunlight and then storing in an airtight container.
Bergamot - wild and its proper name is Monarda Fisulosa. The nickname would be “Oswego Tea.”
This plant is native to North America where it was used medicinally by indigenous people. It is described as a striking mauve or purple flower, an aromatic herb, used medicinally and it grows well in a garden. This, too, was named after the Spanish physician, Nicholas Monardes, and was originally known as Oswego Tea.
It was brought into Europe as collected seed. It attracts bees and butterflies all summer. Both plants in this article grow from 60 to 100 cm; this is considered a hardy plant; needs mostly sun and soil type that it does best in would be alkaline. The flower color is anywhere from pink to purple with the flowering period being July to September.
ri, was likely Branson.com. Established in the mid-1990s, it became a significant resource for information about the area’s attractions, shows, lodging, dining and various entertainment options. This website helped to bring the small town’s entertainment hub into the digital age, providing an online platform to attract visitors and promote its tourism industry.”
• REFLECTIONS
Continued from page 2B
read or watch ads, or listen to local or online forums, I
• READERS
Continued from page 2B
the $1 due to inflation now takes 44 more cents to buy things overall. We must face the reality that the more income we demand, companies making prod-
• TANKERSLEY
Continued from page 4B
thing for many people. But it can also lead to higher inflation because more people working means more spending – which drives up prices. Right now, the unemployment rate is low, but it’s been rising slowly over the past few months (see graph left). It may seem harsh, but a consistently rising unemployment rate is something the Fed needs to see before deciding to cut the Federal Funds Rate. That’s
To a large extent, both Groman and Milton owe their recognition to the website Branson.com. Branson.com would not have come into
want to discern which candidates truly have a servant heart and are committed to accomplishing God’s purposes in their positions if
ucts have to raise prices to compensate. It’s a no-win situation. I could add much more but to make a long story short, the bottom line is we are setting ourselves up for our own demise. The Apostle Paul made a point at 1Timothy 6:7, 8 For we
because a higher unemployment rate would mean reduced spending, and that would help get inflation back under control. What Does This Mean Moving Forward?
While mortgage rates are going to continue to be volatile in the days and months ahead, these are signs the economy is headed in the direction the Fed wants to see. But even with that, it’s unlikely they’ll cut the Federal Funds Rate when they meet next week.
Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve, re-
existence or been the source of bringing untold millions of visitors to Branson and the sale of millions of dollars of show and attraction tickets and lodging nights without the genius and almost 30 years of dedication and work of Basil Groman. Without him, Branson.com would have been an abstract idea.
elected, rather than letting power go to their head, like Neb did, or caving to financial or social pressure. Since all of us are vulnerable to
have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. So, having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things.
I’m not complaining. It’s great to have enough “stuff” to make life com-
cently said: “We want to be more confident that inflation is moving sustainably down toward 2% before we start the process of reducing or loosening policy.”
Basically, we’re seeing the first signs now, but they need more data and more time to feel confident that this is a consistent trend. Assuming that direction continues, according to the CME FedWatch Tool, experts say there’s a projected 96.1% chance the Fed will lower the Federal Funds Rate at their Sep-
He got the URL and originally set Branson.com up online in 1995. He designed, wrote the programming, implemented and managed Branson.com, as it actively promoted Branson in the early days of internet marketing for Branson. It was he
temptation and leaders are no exception; I want to heed Paul’s admonition to pray for them.
On August 6 and again in
fortable and there’s nothing wrong with that. The problem comes when we overdue “want” compared to “need.” The MORE syndrome also eventually brings on increased debt, keeping up the MORE we have. The world system to-
tember meeting.
Remember, the Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates. It’s just that whenever they decide to cut the Federal Funds Rate, mortgage rates should respond.
Of course, the timing of when the Fed takes action could change because of new economic reports, world events, and other factors. That’s why it’s usually not a good idea to try to time the market.
Bottom Line
Recent economic data may signal that hope is on the horizon for mortgage
who offered to give the URL “Branson.com to the Branson Chamber of Commerce in exchange for a job managing it at a fair salary; it was him, after their response, that took it to the point where it was purchased by the Miltons.
This quiet, humble and loving man still works for Branson.com today as it continues to bring millions of visitors to Branson, sell millions of dollars of show and attraction tickets and lodging nights, and share all that Branson has to offer with the world.
“But Seagull, isn’t he your son?” “I am proud to say he is!”
November, get out and vote! And as we do, let’s ask the Holy Spirit for discernment to sort through the rhetoric. Once leaders are elected, let’s pray they remember that with power, whether at the local, county, state, or national level, comes great responsibility.
day is on the brink of collapse because of numerous conditions affecting everyone. Seems there is no stopping it either. And this includes all the environmental changes in recent years. It is important that we discern what’s going on
rates. Let’s connect so you have an expert to keep you up to date on the latest trends and what they mean for you. It’s Your Move! I believe every homeowner should
in the world today, being reasonable and prepare for what the future has to deliver to our lives. Enough said for now. Think about it. Respectfully submitted, Ralph Schumann Branson
LEFT: Bergamot-red; RIGHT: Bergamot-wild (Photos submitted by Jody Johnson Godfrey)
College of the Ozarks hosts 30th Camp Lookout for area youth
participated in a variety of activities while spending the week at camp, including community service, water days, and swimming. (Photo submitted)
Submitted to Branson Globe College of the Ozarks Camp Lookout returned for its 30th year, offering free summer camp to children in surrounding coun-
ties. This summer’s theme, “Run Free,” was designed to remind the campers that we are able to “Run Free” only because of what Jesus has done for us.
Camp Lookout is hosted on the College of the Ozarks campus campground, complete with an activities field, housing and playgrounds. For the summer of 2024, 10 sessions of camp were offered from June 3 –Aug. 8. Approximately 50 campers each week, ages 8-12, from Stone and Taney counties participated in Camp Lookout activities each week.
Caden Peterson, College of the Ozarks student activities director and director of Camp Lookout, is working his second summer at the camp. Lori Simmons serves as the College of the Ozarks Christian ministries community service coordinator and administrator of Camp Lookout.
Together, they oversee the camp, planning activities, training the counselors, and implementing guidelines for all activities. Training for the counselors included team-building activities, safety training, developing the teaching materials, and preparing the campground for the campers.
“The theme ‘Run Free’ is rooted in Galatians 5:13 where it outlines that God gives us the freedom to love one another through service,” said. “We are able to run free only because of what Jesus does for us: He created us, He loves us, and He gives us purpose in life.”
“My favorite part of Camp Lookout is getting to walk alongside our amazing summer student work-
ers as they share the Gospel and love of Jesus with campers.” Peterson said. “The fun of summer camp, we get to show through our actions that Jesus loves us and has a purpose for our lives.” Said Peterson.
Campers participated in a variety of activities while spending the week at camp, including community service, water days and swimming. Additionally, the campers spent a day at Silver Dollar City to enjoy the rides and sights.
To celebrate the theme, “Run Free,” evening worship sessions and devotions were also integrated into the daily camp schedule.
All activities at Camp Lookout are guided and supervised by a team of 40
counselors who rotate shifts to spend time with the kids either in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Counselors are all students at College of the Ozarks who have a passion for helping children and a love for Christ.
“Being a counselor here at the camp has been such an eye opener for me,” Cain Beal sophomore conservation and wildlife management major, said. “I had the pleasure of meeting a young man who had such a passion for the Lord. He would ask me so many questions, and we would talk about them for what felt like hours. The young man ended up accepting Jesus as his Savior later in the week, and I have never felt prouder.”
College of the Ozarks to debut free patriotic play October – November
Submitted to Branson Globe
College of the Ozarks will present its annual, free, patriotic play, October through November, on select dates. Back by popular demand, the play is “Breaking the Silence: Stories of Vietnam Veterans,” which tells the stories of five heroes, all who have connections to the College.
This true story chronicles the lives of five Veterans: Army Nurse Lou Eisenbrandt; Army Colonel Tony Nadal; 1st Marine Colonel Bill Duncan, otherwise known as Texas Pete; Colonel Donald “Doc” Ballard, Navy corpsman with the 4th Marines and Medal of Honor
recipient; and Sergeant John Ligato, Marine platoon leader. Each of these individuals have traveled with C of O through the Patriotic Education Travel Program.
The showing of a patriotic play is a fall tradition at College of the Ozarks. Performances take place in the Royal Oak Forum, located in The Keeter Center, and are free and open to the public. Tickets are not required; seating is first-come, first-served.
All performances are open to bus tour groups. Duration of the play is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Groups of 10 or more, call 417-690-2120 to book lunch and reserve
seats for the play.
Play synopsis
When the Vietnam soldiers returned home, they were not met with parades, explosions of confetti, striking up of bands, cheers of joy, honoring ceremonies … nothing.
“Breaking the Silence” is a play that tells these true stories with the hope that younger generations will recognize the sacrifices of their grandparents, the heartbreaking way American soldiers were treated as they returned home from Vietnam, and the disillusionment of anti-American philosophy which has pervaded our country.
“Out of the darkness of political misguidance from Washington surrounding the Vietnam War are the stories of the men and women who admirably served, shining like the setting sun,” said Mark
and playwright.
The play is based on the book “Vietnam
by
Play Dates
Performances will take place at 2 p.m. in The Keeter Center’s Royal Oak Forum. The play’s duration is approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
Show dates for performances: October 15, 24, 26, 29, 31. November 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12
Campers
Young, M.F.A., professor of theatre
101,”
Dr. Jerry C. Davis, retired chancellor of College of the Ozarks, and adapted for the stage by Young.
The play is based on the book “Vietnam 101,” by Dr. Jerry C. Davis, president emeritus of College of the Ozarks, and adapted for the stage by Mark Young, M.F.A, professor of theater and playwright.
(Photo submitted)
Your Guide to the AUGUST 6 PRIMARY ELECTION in Stone & Taney Counties
Area candidates answer questions prior to August elections
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
In an effort to help our Branson Globe readers make informed decisions when going to the polls on election day, we submitted a list of questions to each candidate in all of the contested races in the upcoming Taney County and Stone County elections. Each candidate received the same questions.
1. Give me a brief background on yourself, please.
2. What are three things that your campaign is based upon?
3. What do you feel are the top challenges that our area faces, and how do you plan to help with those challenges?
4. What makes you the best qualified candidate for the position?
5. Can you please give me a brief statement asking readers to vote for you?
Following are the responses from candidates in the races for Taney County Assessor, Stone County Sheriff, Taney County Eastern District Commissioner, Stone County Northern District Commissioner, and Stone County Southern District Commissioner. Taney County: Assessor Davy Wilson
1. I am a Missouri native and the owner and Master Barber of Wilson & Co. Barbershop in Hollister. I met my wife, Lydia Wilson in 1992 and we married the following year. We share two children, Stephen and Faith, both graduates of School of the Ozarks. I am
also a dedicated bladesmith. I competed on Forged in Fire and became a season 8 champion. In our spare time, my wife and I enjoy shooting archery together and spending time with our grandchildren, Keva and Jackie. I am not a politician, I am a person, just like you. I’m a small business owner who has felt the weight of government overreach and overregulation, and as your next assessor, I want to get the government out of the way of your success. I want to bring back openness and transparency to the assessor’s office, lower taxes and cut government red tape. I am a Christian, conservative, Republican in that order and will govern like one. I believe I am the right choice for Taney County Assessor, and I would appreciate everyone’s vote on August 6!
3. It is no secret that we are in the middle of a recession. How to pay the ever-increasing prices of everyday items such as groceries, fuel and other necessities are some of the biggest challenges facing our community. Parents are wondering how they are going to make ends meet, and business owners are wondering how they are going to keep their doors open. As your next assessor, I want to keep the assessed values of real property and personal property as low as possible. I will find ways to cut taxes, and end the current assessor’s practice of continu-
ing to increase them. I will put the brakes on raising the tax index and will stand up for the rights of my neighbors in Taney County.
4. I am service-oriented and have served the citizens of Taney County for the last seventeen years. I have spent my entire life serving people, whether through church, at the barbershop or various charitable efforts in the community. I listen to folks and seek to understand their needs—working handin-hand to solve problems collaboratively. As a small business owner and property owner, I uniquely understand the challenges that our citizens are going through. I know the impact that an unfair, or unjust, assessment can have for a person and I want to make sure the assessor’s office is being fair to all with an eye on keeping taxes LOW for the people of Taney County. My unique qualification is that I come at this position not as a politician, but as a person, and we need more of that in government.
5. For a strong, conservative voice in the Taney County Assessor’s Office, with the skills of a master barber and knife-maker that will come in handy when cutting through government red tape, Vote Davy Wilson for Assessor on August 6! Taney County Assessor Susan Chapman
1. My background; Branson HS graduate, BS-Chemistry-UMKC, Mother of five (Branson Schools, four chil-
dren, University of MO, fifth child graduated from West Point Memorial Day weekend 2024), Real Estate BROKER, Financial Analyst, retail business owner, customer service in family service business. Chemist in corporations.
2. Fairness, service, ethics. Most people do not understand what the assessor does. I use this simple example. Six of us go to a restaurant for dinner. Five people order grilled cheese and one person orders steak. When the check comes, the person who ordered the steak says “let’s split the bill six ways and be done with it.” The five people with the grilled cheese are not happy with that, and they decide on per person at the table to split the bill. That person is the assessor. I did not price the menu and I did not tell you what to order. I just need to assign accurate portions to each person.
3. Taney County is known for low taxes. There are NO NEW TAXES from the assessor office. We use the same cost system that has been in place since the 1980s. We are now equalizing, so that everyone is valued consistently. Business, residential, and agricultural need to have fair and accurate assessments. Only the legislature or the voting public can create a new tax. I have put all property record cards (PRCs) with sketches, measurements and components on the county website, www.TaneyCounty.
org/Assessor so that taxpayers can check the work of the assessor. Impact notices are also listed and show if a valuation goes up by as little as one dollar. The public can easily request information from the interactive buttons on the site. We now let the public know what areas we plan to cover so they can watch for our trucks/appraisers. We do, however, cover new construction wherever it pops up.
We also assist seniors to get them their $948 real estate credit from the state, whether they are an owner or a renter. And we will be assisting the collector with the SB190 property tax freeze that recently passed in Taney County. I will do everything in my power to make sure ALL BUSINESSES are treated fairly. Short term/ nightly rentals should be 100% commercial, the same as hotels/motels. The MO statutes say they are 100% commercial, and the surrounding counties also treat ALL nightly rentals as 100% commercial. This is my first term, and when I started, we had approximately 4,500 nightly rentals. That number is now close to 11,000. If they were assessed by statute our taxes would go down.
4. I have experience and training in real estate. Seven years as a broker/realtor doing 400-600 appraisal/ opinions a year for banks. I have taken approximately 240 (college level) credit hours, in state/international approved assessor classes; in addition, I have passed the tests and brought income and finance options to local businesses. I do not accept campaign contributions, as I do not want to be beholden to anyone. I did not accept contributions in the last election either. Every two years I take ethics, fair housing classes for the NAR (Realtors license). I have knowledge of real estate, math, computing, construction. I have a strong math background and write financial programs in Excel for the income and expense approach for business and low-income housing. This alternative valuation is allowed by the State Tax Commission and helped many businesses during COVID. I work between departments to update technology sharing. Thirty years remodeling experience and cost estimating.
5. My name is Susan Chapman, and I humbly ask for your vote. In return I will work full-time to accomplish our goals. I will try to keep your valuations low, as I did for your personal property in 2021, 2022 and 2023, when I held us at the 2020 rates due to a loophole in the statutes. And I will work to bring money into the county as when I persuaded the State Tax Commission to hold their conferences here for a two-year period bringing in approximately $500,000 and advertising for our area to the 113 counties that were manSEE Q&A, PAGE 11B
dated to be here. PLEASE Vote Susan Chapman for Assessor. Stone County Sheriff
Doug Rader
1. I was born and raised in Webster County in the little community of “Rader.”
Attended Conway Schools all 12 years. Attended the Mizzou Law Enforcement Training Institute in February of 1990 for my law enforcement academy.
2004-2013 - Branson West Police DepartmentPolice Chief
2013-Present Stone County Sheriff’s OfficeSheriff
2. Public service - I have consistently used “Your Public Servant” as my mission and mantra. I have never wavered from that. The deputies and I understand that we work for the people of Stone County. We have accomplished so much over the last 12 years. We have increased the number of road deputies, increased the deputies’ pay, started a Citizens Academy, upgraded our computer forensics, placed deputies in all five schools, upgraded the jail, added the River Patrol, installed computers in all patrol vehicles, and provided the best service possible for our citizens. I am running for sheriff again because this is my passion. I care deeply about Stone County and the citizens of this county. My family is among those citizens. I have
invested 20 years of my life serving the citizens of Stone County. My staff and I are constantly working on the future to make sure the Sheriff’s Office provides the best service for years to come.
Trust - I appreciate the trust the citizens of Stone County have placed in me and the Stone County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff is the only law enforcement role that is elected and works for the people. I have represented Stone County locally, across the state and nationally. I have represented Stone County nationally on the “In God We Trust” stickers and throughout a major catastrophe. I receive calls or have contact with citizens of Stone County on a daily basis wanting help with their issues or problems. I truly appreciate the trust that the citizens have in me and my team to help them. We will continue to build the trust of Stone County Citizens through our actions.
Community leadership and support - Our community involvement is based on honor, integrity and transparency. The Sheriff’s Office hosts a Stone County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy every year. We provide our citizens with an inside look at the responsibilities of the sheriff’s office. This academy has been a huge success, and it is our way of giving back to the citizens of Stone County. Out of this academy, the alumni have formed the Stone County Citizens In Action (CIA). They are a citizens’ support group to the sheriff’s office and are extremely involved with the sheriff’s office. They know me and the majority of our staff personally. I have also been involved with fundraisers throughout Stone County. I have used my auctioneering skills to raise money for cancer patients, community organizations and school projects.
In 2023, I volunteered and sold over $120,000 in goods to raise money here in Stone County. We are involved in the Table Rock Chamber of Commerce, Table Rock Rotary Club and many other organizations in Stone County. We represent the Stone County Sheriff’s Office with honor and integrity with all of our involvement in the community.
3. Our biggest issue right now is one that every law enforcement agency is facing. We are experiencing a nationwide decline in qualified law enforcement officers. Every agency from the MO Highway Patrol, police departments, and sheriffs’ offices are shorthanded and are actively recruiting. Through Prop P we have been able to raise our salaries and grow from 18 to 24 patrol deputies. We are actively and consistently working on an improved recruiting strategy to bring in qualified applicants. Then we work very hard to develop and retain our great deputies. With all the growth in Stone County in the last decade, it is also harder to find affordable housing for new deputies to move to this area.
We consider it an honor to have a voice in economic development for our community, hoping to continue to bring in opportunities for growth and affordable housing. We believe if we can recruit the best and brightest and keep them, the other challenges fall in line as manageable. Having been a uniformed officer at all levels of service for 34 consecutive years, I strive to never forget what employment, security, safety and training look like through the eyes of my deputies.
4. I am the only candidate that has 12 years of experience as a sheriff. I am the only candidate with 34 years of consecutive law enforcement experience. I am the only candidate with 26 consecutive years in a leadership
position. I am the only candidate who has served the citizens of Stone County for 20 years. I am the only candidate who has worked law enforcement in Missouri or Stone County. I am the only candidate that deeply understands and stays abreast on Missouri law and liability. I am the only candidate that has managed a budget over $200,000, and the sheriff’s office budget is approximately $6 million. I am the only candidate that has led or managed over two-three law enforcement officers and Stone County Sheriff’s Office has 68 employees. I am the only candidate that has managed a jail. We have built relationships with citizens, businesses and community organizations throughout Stone County benefitting all of Stone County.
5. My staff and I have a proven track record of providing quality law enforcement services to the citizens of Stone County. We have a proven record of being fiscally responsible with the taxpayers’ money and have never been over budget the last 11 years. I am a strong 2nd amendment supporter! I also want to address that the sheriff’s office works together with the eight fire departments and EMS on a daily basis. I have spoken with all the fire chiefs in Stone County recently and no issues between agencies have surfaced as my opponent has cited. When a crisis or threat hits our community, law enforcement, fire, and EMS all must work together without concern for who gets the credit or criticism. I work hard to ensure we act within the mindset of together for the people…not politics. We work with all six of our police departments in Stone County on a daily basis. All six police chiefs are reserve deputies with the Stone County Sheriff’s Office and we provide training for those
departments. We provide law enforcement services to the cities when they do not have 24-hour coverage. We provide mutual aid to them when help is needed. We are proud of our working relationships with all our first responders in Stone County. I appreciate the trust that the Stone County citizens have given me as their sheriff. My family and I thank you. I would appreciate your vote on August 6.
The Branson Globe reached out to Jeff Heinzl, who is running for Stone County Sheriff, but received no response.
Taney County Eastern District Commissioner Shane Keys
1. I am a Christian, conservative, Republican Candidate. I’m married to my wife Ammie and we have three children. I am a lifelong resident of Taney County and attend BLOOM Church. I graduated from Forsyth High School in 1999 and studied Criminal Justice at College of the Ozarks. I began my law enforcement career in 2003 as a 911 Communications Officer. I graduated from Drury University Law Enforcement Academy in 2005 and accepted a position as a Deputy Sheriff with the Taney County Sheriff’s Office. I volunteered for an undercover narcotics position with the COMET Drug Task Force (Combined Ozarks Multi-Jurisdictional Enforcement Team) at the end of 2005. I served in an undercover capacity for three years serving Taney County and six other surrounding counties. In 2009 I returned to the Taney County Sheriff’s Office as a detective to use my experience and training to focus solely on the needs of Taney County. I currently serve as a detective assigned to major crimes in Taney County ranging from homicide, serious assaults, child abuse, sex offenses and death
investigations. I also serve as a defensive tactics instructor and liaison for large special events. I hope to earn your vote on August 6! 2. I have learned during my 20-plus years of being a public servant, that the cornerstone of public service is integrity, professionalism and transparency. I believe from years of personal experience that all of those must be present to ensure trust between the government and the people it represents and serves.
Integrity - Is best described as doing what’s right when no one is looking on an everyday basis. As a law enforcement officer, I took an oath to serve the public almost verbatim to the one I would take if elected as your next Eastern District Commissioner. I understand the level of integrity that is both expected and required for this position. It’s crucial a commissioner and candidates operate within the legal guidelines of Missouri State Statutes both before taking office and during their time in office.
Professionalism - Every day that I go to work I wear a badge and a gun. Those are both visual reminders of my obligation and duty of professionalism. I represent myself as a person, my department, the sheriff, and each resident of Taney County. This position is for Eastern District Commissioner but ultimately represents the entire county. I understand how important professionalism is for this position.
Transparency - It’s very important to me that you know exactly who I am as a candidate, and when elected, that you know exactly what I am doing in office. Humans are more often than not creatures of habit. I want you to be able to see that the same person I am today as a candidate, is who I was before I
SEE Q&A, PAGE 12B
filed to run for office. I think you will see a clear and consistent pattern of transparency. When elected, I will make sure to give regular updates about the work that the office is doing, and how we are serving the community. We are PUBLIC SERVANTS, not elected masters, and we need to always remember we serve the people and they should know what their government is doing for them.
3. I think the current commission has initiated a great start to several much-needed infrastructure projects in our community through revenue generated from sales tax and ARPA funds. I think it is vital that our next Eastern District 2 Commissioner fights to continue the success of White River Connect and continued clean water initiatives. Eastern District residents deserve the same access to quality high speed internet as other county residents for personal, business, farm and educational needs, and I want to work to make sure they get it. I believe we need to continue to support sewer projects throughout the county that include new extensions to centralized sewers and replacing old equipment with new and updated technology in our treatment facilities. These types of projects add value to properties and can provide new economic development to our communities, which in turn will generate revenue to help support future projects all across the county. We also need to continue to work to find solutions for the affordable housing deficit facing our municipal partners in the western district.
4. I have worked hard over my 20-year law enforcement career to make our communities safer for our families.
I understand the importance of honesty, integrity and the
traditional values that define our county. I have witnessed firsthand both the challenges and opportunities that our county faces, preparing me to serve you as a commissioner. I will ensure your problems and concerns get the attention they deserve, and relentlessly fight for you in defending our freedom and liberty, constitutional rights and way of life.
I am a conservative candidate and understand the importance of responsibly spending your tax dollars and cutting government red tape. I don’t have any conflicts of interest from personal businesses or partnerships in investment properties that I stand to financially profit from, or take time away from the duties and responsibilities of being a full-time commissioner. I am committed to serving you.
5. It’s been an honor to serve you, the citizens of Taney County for the last 20 years with the sheriff’s office. I ask that you place your trust in me to work for you with the same integrity, professionalism and transparency as your EASTERN DISTRICT 2 COMMISSIONER. I am asking for your vote on August 6! Taney County Eastern District Commissioner Beth Hunt
1. My name is Beth Hunt, and I am married to my wonderful husband Jason, who is a generational native to Eastern Taney County. Together we share two amazing kids, Weston and Rylee, both of which are Forsyth Panthers just as their daddy was. My husband and I own and operate a local business, Hunt Excavation and Septic. I give full credit to my husband Jason for the success of our business as he is the one who does all the “dirty work” and operates the machinery. My role in our business, while still a crucial one, requires less hands on. I handle the
weeks end bookkeeping and creating all our advertisements whether that be on social media or artwork for billboards.
In my personal life I enjoy staying busy… as if being a mom and part business owner isn’t busy enough. For several years I have volunteered at my local fire department and their organization Friends of Cedarcreek. Our department is known for hosting a series of family fun events throughout the summer and we are most known for our Annual Deer Hunter Supper and Silent Auction every November. For years I have volunteered my services creating mailings, flyers and advertisements for special events or recruitment. Out of all my community involvements I am most proud of the services I provide to my local department. I’m honored to help in any way I can, to help support the many men and women who work tirelessly to operate what is the Cedarcreek Fire Protection District and their organization Friends of Cedarcreek which helps run our resale shop that contributes to department operating cost.
Aside from volunteer work, I have served on the Taney County Republican Central Committee for the past four years as Committee Woman for Cedarcreek Township. And I will proudly continue to serve as I refiled March 25 unopposed for my position. I am also excited to share I am one of the newest members of the Taney County Federated Republican Women. I look forward to spending time with such a great group of dedicated women. These are just three examples of community involvements. My husband and I for years have supported numerous local events in addition to our schools, parks board and members of the Forsyth Area Chamber of Commerce. We believe in staying active in
the community that supports us and the community that we love and are proud to raise our children in.
2. My campaign is based on three things: Experience, leadership and devotion. Having worked at our County Clerk’s Office, I have knowledge in elections, voter registration and our county employee retirement fund (C.E.R.F.) as I handled new hire enrollment and prepared those who wished to retire. However, having worked inside our county courthouse I have first-hand experience on how our departments collectively work together. For example, I may have worked inside the clerk’s office, but my involvement with C.E.R.F meant working with both HR for new enrollments and payroll for employee contributions. Another office I have experience with is the office of the Commission as I took minutes during weekly Commission hearings. Prior to Taney County, my career was mostly spent in business management. I worked for a large retail corporation and my responsibilities included ensuring stores were successful and kept on budget. I’ve learned in order to have a successful business, it first starts with excellent leadership. And I am just that, an excellent leader. I believe anyone who wishes to seek this office should be readily available to serve our public, all our county departments and on a full-time basis. This is an office that requires full attention and devotion, at which I intend on devoting myself fully.
My plan if elected is to take my combined experience from time spent at our county, business management and my ability to lead and willingness to devote to the position, and best represent those who reside in our Eastern District. I look forward to potentially being a commissioner our county officials can come to when needed, and that also goes for employees and the public.
3. I personally feel our state faces similar challenges as our surrounding states do. We need our state officials to fight to keep sanctuary cities out of Missouri. Missouri citizens’ wallets are already facing hardships every day with the raise in cost of living and inflation. It is a daily struggle for some, especially in rural areas where wages and job opportunities are lessor, to afford everyday necessities. The strain that puts on our state economy and resources is devastating, and we cannot allow it. It is not right to those who are citizens, whether through birth or naturalization, who work hard every day to make ends meet, provide for their families and contribute to taxes. I am not a candidate for state office, I am running for local office. However, I hope our state candidates and officials in place feel the same in keeping sanctuary cities out of the State of Missouri.
4. I am the best qualified
candidate having the experience we need to manage our county. From my time with Taney County to years in corporate business management, I have the experience. As a registered voter and resident, myself, shouldn’t that be what we look for in those who are seeking office and looking to represent us? Experience and someone who is active in the community they wish to represent. To me personally those qualities speak volumes. Those are qualities that I possess and intend on bringing to the office of the commission.
5. So, in conclusion when August 6 rolls around, I ask voters to please consider experience, consider a candidate who is devoted and willing to work for you full-time. Look for a candidate who gives back to their communities. Because that is the candidate who will best serve our county and residents. And on August 6, I ask voters to consider me, Beth Hunt, for their Eastern District 2 Commissioner.
Taney County Eastern District Commissioner
Jason Davidson
1. I have been a lifelong resident of Eastern Taney County, deeply rooted in this community from birth through education and into my career. With over 30 years of experience at Taney County Road and Bridge, I have gained valuable insights into community development and infrastructure. My commitment extends beyond professional roles; I have actively contributed to our community by serving on the Mark Twain School Board, where I successfully led budget restructuring efforts to sustain educational excellence. Additionally, I own and manage two thriving agri-businesses, demonstrating my entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to economic growth. Having raised my own family here, I intimately understand the educational and economic needs of our community. My wife’s service in the United States Military instills in me a profound respect for our veterans and service members. I look forward to serving the citizens of this great county!
2. Experience. I have worked for the road and bridge department for almost 30 years. This career has led me to develop and foster relationships with many entities and citizens in Taney County. Hard work, I have maintained a full-time job and two agri-businesses successfully through hard work and dedication. I am not afraid to dedicate the hours and strength that are needed to uphold this office. And my greatest reason is my love and desire to serve this community and county. I was raised here and my family as well. I believe in Taney County and want to continue to serve the people I know and love.
3. Our healthcare availability on this side of the county is lacking; one must travel to Branson to have access to the hospital or Urgent Cares. I would like to have
discussions with our area healthcare entities and see what can be done to expand more care to this side of the county. On that same line, I think that Nurse Practitioner roles need expansion so that our rural areas will have providers to man these entities; I can influence this statewide issue as a commissioner by talking with our state senators and representatives. Our elderly community needs to be aware of State Bill 756; this bill clarifies State Bill 190. This Bill offers senior citizens over the age of 62 or older who own a home, a freeze on their property tax at the 2024 rate. This bill will put needed cash back into the pockets of our senior citizens through tax savings. I would like to work to continue to simplify this process by making a renewal application easier for our seniors.
4. I am confident that I am the most qualified candidate for several compelling reasons. Foremost among them is my unwavering belief in Taney County and its residents. Over the course of three decades with the Road and Bridge Department, I have diligently served the people of Taney County, fostering invaluable relationships with governmental entities like the Corps of Engineers and state departments to enhance our infrastructure. My tenure on the Mark Twain School Board stands as a testament to my dedication to our community. During my service, I successfully orchestrated budgetary reforms that ensured the continued operation of our vital community school, meeting the educational needs of local children. Unlike other candidates who have indicated their intent to fulfill the minimum requirements of the commissioner role, I am prepared to devote over 40 hours per week to diligently serving the citizens of our county.
5. I am an honest, hard-working citizen of this beautiful county. My promise to our citizens is to ensure that your rights, liberties and beliefs are upheld in all we do as a county. I promise to listen to the people of this county and what THEY desire for our great area. Taney County needs someone willing to put in full-time hours and dedication to ensuring the continued growth of our area, as well as ensuring our land is protected for future generations. I humbly request your vote for Eastern Taney County Commissioner on August 6, 2024. Remember a vote for me is a vote for YOU.
Taney Country Eastern District Commissioner Cody Pender
1. Cody is a lifetime Taney County resident, business owner for the last 14 years and dutiful land and cattle owner. He is a faithful husband to his loving wife Bethany Pender and devoted father to two daughters. Cody is a God and family focused man. He
operates his businesses with integrity and honesty. He is well equipped to handle a complex budget and will be a level headed negotiator when fighting for the best interests of Eastern Taney County residents. Cody is a man firm in his convictions that strives to honor God in all of his decisions and business dealings. Cody will be a qualified fiscally minded candidate that will be financially responsible and community vested. As many of you know, he cares in building relationships with our Taney County residents as seen in his volunteer work, leadership roles and community engagement. We ask for your vote on August 6 for Cody Pender, Eastern Taney Commissioner. Cody is steadfast in his belief that together we can make Eastern Taney County a wonderful place to call our home!
2. STRONG, TRUSTWORTHY VOICE. HONESTY. PROFESSIONALISM. As a resolute and strong, trustworthy voice for the residents of Taney County, I pledge to remain steadfast in my commitment to what is right, even if I am the only one standing. Leveraging my knowledge and experience, I will work towards the betterment of our county. My values and professionalism will guide me as I represent our great county with distinction.
3. Completing initiated projects is crucial to overcoming our challenges. Our focus must be on finishing long-delayed road projects. Addressing the overreach of the Core of Engineers and ensuring gates are open during non-flooded periods is essential. I have consulted with local experts, conducted thorough research and developed a comprehensive plan to address these issues and reach a mutually acceptable agreement for the residents of Eastern Taney County. Another challenge we face is the cleanliness in our area. My plan involves collaborating with the community to clean up our county and maintain its beauty. Together, we can create a better environment for our citizens.
4. I possess strong leadership skills, in-depth knowledge of construction, budget management proficiency, the ability to build and motivate teams, a strong sense of integrity, and the ability to truly listen to our citizens.
5. On August 6, I ask for the opportunity to earn your vote. My character is built on a foundation of integrity, faith and honesty, making me a suitable candidate for this position. I am committed to putting the needs of Taney County above all else and fighting for its best interests. I have a deep affection for our community, and I am dedicated to serving, maintaining and improving it for future generations. Your vote on August 6 would be a great endorsement of my candidacy. Taney County Eastern District Commissioner Travys Saffle
1. We are long-time Eastern Taney County residents of over 32 years. My wife
Alissa Newton Saffle and I just celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary and 20 years in business in Forsyth at Encore Fashion Exchange. We have raised our four children together and sadly only have two remaining at home who currently attend School of the Ozarks. We have investments in Taney County and are proud to call the Ozarks home. Over the years I’ve lived just outside of Taneyville, in Forsyth, Kirbyville, almost to Bradleyville and I’ve made investments in all these communities over the years to include Merriam Woods, Hollister and Branson because I believe in investing in my backyard, which is Eastern Taney County. We’ve attended Taneyville Apostolic, First Baptist Forsyth, Bryant Ridge and Brookside Churches over the years. We have always been in church, serving everywhere we have attended.
2. Prioritizing essential services while minimizing unnecessary bureaucracy, ensuring every tax payer’s dollar is efficiently and effectively utilized. Advocating for community collaboration, partnerships and moderate growth while preserving our hometown values and way of life. Restoring relationships and faith in leadership, by holding Taney County to a higher standard in stewardship, and professional conduct.
3. Eastern Taney County seems to have always had to get by on the crumbs of Branson and the West side of the county. It’s time to make some changes: Lack of infrastructure, not much for our youth, families, or elderly on this side of the county. Improve public safety and transportation. We lack training, resources, equipment and personnel to adequately serve our county to its fullest potential. We’re still below the poverty level, lacking job opportunities, housing options, and educational resources so we can break the cycles and change the next generation.
4. I am the only candidate posting my resume like I’m applying for the job because I am. The voters of Eastern Taney County deserve the most qualified candidate for the job, with a proven track record, a plan and ability to execute.
My qualifications and attributing skill sets make me the most suitable candidate for the position. My resume as a local business owner and active investor in our community for over 20 years highlights my abilities, knowledge and expertise in business, investments, financial acumen and leadership skills. Estimating and overseeing of multiple construction projects running concurrently on time and within budget, coordinating with corporate, site managers, home owners, clients, foremen and laborers. I have extensive experience with hiring and firing, screening and interviews with independent contractors, and pay roll. My unique background as an entrepreneur consists of a combination of the construction industry, sales, acquisitions, financial planning, risk management and additional qualifications that I am confident would easily transfer and
complement the position of Eastern Commissioner.
I’ve always taken pride in my work, and I strive to produce great results that address my clients’ needs and wants. I would be humbled and honored to serve once elected and to receive YOUR VOTE! I am blessed to be in the position I am in, and I am ready, willing and able to serve the people of Eastern Taney County full-time and then some. I haven’t punched a clock in a long time, but I always get the jobs done.
5. Christian. Conservative. Your public servant. If you’ve lost faith in our system or our leadership and you want your voice back! We can do together! My credentials and character throughout the community will carry my campaign. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve our community and your consideration to trust me with your vote on August 6.
Taney County Eastern District Commissioner
Richard Fordyce
1. My name is Richard Fordyce. I am a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and past business owner. I owned and operated Raintree Disposal for 28 years. We sold the business last year and have since retired.
2. I believe that my campaign is based on honesty and strong voice for all Taney County persons and great passion to serve people.
3. The main challenge that the eastern side faces is the infrastructure - mainly the road in and out of Forsyth. The highway of 160 and F highway needs to be addressed; whether we want new commerce or not, it has become a very dangerous road.
4. I have leadership skills that can bring all of us to a great future.
5. We should vote someone in this office that has no business or family ties to the county. We need someone that can put all of our interest first. Someone that knows how to run a business while showing compassion to those they work for.
Taney County Eastern District Commissioner
Chuck Hurst
1. Forsyth graduate, married for 31 years, have two children and five grandchildren. Retired after working for Taney County Road and Bridge for 29 years. Worked for Bradleyville School as athletic director and high school girls basketball coach. Have a Master’s Degree in Sports Management with an emphasis in administration.
2. Campaign is based off of honesty, moral values and a passion for our county.
3. Top challenges are infrastructure expansion and population increase. Trying to balance the fine line of what the Eastern half of the county needs and what it doesn’t need. I believe the best decision is made by asking the people who are directly impacted by these expansions or rezoning. I want to open up a better line of communication between the public and the commission.
4. I feel that what makes me the best qualified candidate for this position is my
29 years of service with the Road and Bridge, combined with a master’s degree. No other candidate has the experience and education I offer.
5. I believe in protecting our quality of life and Taney County’s values. I will always put our community before politics and will never back down for defending our conservative values. I would greatly appreciate your vote on August 6. Stone County Northern Associate Commissioner Wayne Blades
1. I grew up in North Stone County on a farm south of Crane as a fifth generation North Stone County resident. I have lived most of my adult life on a farm north of Crane. I attended Crane Schools grades one-12. I have taken various classes to assist me in computer skills, sales, management and marketing. I am married to my wife of 50 years, Marchia Johnson Blades. We have four daughters, four sons-in-law and 11 grandchildren. Until 1994, I was self-employed as a farmer and a greenhouse/nursery/ landscape business owner.
1994-1999 Ozark Empire Fair as Agriculture/Events Director
1999-2001 Wickmans Garden Village as General Manager
2001– Branson USA as Assistant General Manager
2002-2018 Palen Music Centers as Outside Sales/ New client recruitment
2019-Present Stone County Northern Commissioner
2008-Present Pastor of Hilltop Church in Crane Presently, I continue to own and operate a farm raising cattle and hay. I was selected by the Stone County Republican Central Committee in December of 2018 for recommendation to fill an opening created by then Northern Commissioner Mark Maples, who won the Presiding Commissioner race. I was appointed after background checks and a Senate hearing by Governor Mike Parson to the two-year unexpired term. I was elected to a full-term in 2020.
2. I have always loved to serve my community in whatever way I can. I believe there’s more to do!
During my years of service as Northern Commissioner, the Stone County Commission has helped law enforcement by increasing funding through presenting Prop P to the voters, upgrading the radio system to allow instant communication with other area and state agencies, and helped deputies to be inside all Stone County schools. We’ve upgraded election security to assure no election tampering. We’ve passed a property tax freeze for seniors. Our roads continue to be upgraded from gravel to hard surface and we’ve replaced two deficient bridges in the last six years. I still have work to do!
I plan to use my experience and passion to continue to work with the other commissioners and county elected officials to provide the best services possible within our means for Stone County residents. A lot of things are on that list like roads, law
enforcement, economic development and access to reliable internet to name a few. We as a commission need to make certain as Stone County grows that county government remains as responsive as possible to assist responsible growth while at the same time balancing that progress with the preservation of the character, values and beauty that makes Stone County so attractive to others.
3. Growth is both a blessing and a challenge. Stone County runs on sales tax. It funds roads, law enforcement and provides a large part of our funding for the rest of the county. Tourism drives that. Our lake, our streams and our attractions are top notch! The challenge is to support those revenue streams by infrastructure in roads, lodging and places to eat and shop. We have to plan to do that without changing the attractiveness of the area.
Another important area is diversifying our economy so it is not mostly tourism based. I been interested in that since I took office. My area in North Stone County still has a number of farms and small communities that have residents commuting out of the county to find career jobs. I’d like to see a return to local jobs if possible, and I am willing to work with local leaders to help make that happen. One part of this is affordable housing. We have a great Vo-Tech Center in Reeds Spring to train local Stone County youth from various area schools for almost any industry!
4. I am the only candidate with county commissioner experience. I am the only candidate who has helped develop Stone County budgets. I am the only candidate who has completed the annual county commissioner training. I also believe my background of service has helped. I served with school board members and administrators for 10 years. I served as chairman for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee, served as a member of the corporate committee for a dairy cooperative, served as a 4-H leader, a member of the county ASCS committee, ran youth camps, managed several employees, developed and carried out contracts, budgets and worked with people to accomplish goals in a variety of situations. Currently, I am serving on the Stone County Extension Council, as the area county commissioner representative on the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments Executive Committee, cemetery board trustee, trustee for an area church campground and serve as general superintendent of a group of area churches.
5. I can run on a record of experience, not a resume of what might be. In the last five-and-one-half years I’ve had direct oversight of twothirds of the county-maintained roads - 400 miles. North Stone has two of the three divisions of Road and Bridge, North and Central. It has most of the bridges in the county system and two-thirds of the Road and
Bridge employees - 22. For the last three years, I’ve also had the responsibility of direct oversight of building and grounds maintenance and building janitorial employees and budget. I have listened to many concerns, helped in any way possible, worked with all offices and departments and attempted to build bridges not walls between county government and residents. When reelected, I will continue to listen and respond to your concerns and help in any way possible! I have no problem asking for your vote on August 6 to keep doing the good work of the last six years for another term!
The Branson Globe was unable to make contact with Deana Wolfe, candidate for Norther Associate Commissioner for Stone County.
Stone County Southern Associate Commissioner
Hank Smythe
1. I am a life-long resident of Stone County, growing up in Reeds Spring. I have been married to my wife Karen for 49 years. We have one daughter and two granddaughters. I ran my own business in Stone County for 47 years. I served on Planning and Zoning for 22 years and board of adjustments for two years. I also served on the Reeds Spring School Board for six years as well as various other boards and committees throughout the years.
2. Honesty, hard work and dedication
3. Workforce and affordable housing: The county commission along with other businesses have joined forces with the Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce to work on economic development throughout Stone County. We definitely need the affordable housing in order to attract a workforce for the county.
4. I have eight years of experience as the Southern Stone County Commissioner. Through those years I have formed good working relationships with state elected officials and their staff members as well as maintaining a good working relationship with Stone County’s elected officials and department heads.
5. I am proud to be a lifelong resident of Stone County and to be able to serve the citizens as one of their commissioners. I take this job very seriously and will continue to give 110% to everyone in the county. Thank you for your support, and I would appreciate your vote on August 6.
The Branson Globe reached out to Al Worley, candidate for Stone County Southern Associate Commissioner, but did not receive a response.
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The Branson Globe staff encourages you to make your voice heard in the August 6 election as you head to the polls and vote for the candidates of your choice. It is our hope that we have helped you make informed decisions regarding your vote. Best of luck to all of the candidates.
Worship Directory
You are encouraged to worship with us!
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.– Hebrews 10:25
Around Town: Here’s what’s going on in the Tri-Lakes
AUGUST
• 2 Free Taney County Cultural Festival, 3-7 p.m., downtown Hollister by the St. James Bridge. Come enjoy food, music, games, bounce houses, crafts and much more. This is a chance to meet your neighbors. Hosted by Diversity and Inclusion Committee from TLBOR.
• 3 Blue Eye Bluegrass Festival at Blue Eye Saturday Market from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Featuring live music from Charlie Boyd & Friends. Plus: Many vendors, the Family Table Restaurant, Vogt Spot Farmers Market. Enjoy our playground. Bring chairs and blankets and picnic on our lawn. 75 Doc Miller Road, Blue Eye.
• 3 Chappy’s Diner: Grand
opening/ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. Diner will have special menu items. Mother of All Burgers challenge at 1 p.m. Raffles and giveaways as well. 153 Main St., Forsyth.
• 3 Jukebox Winos: Summer Concert Series at Branson Landing. Join us for LIVE MUSIC in front of the Branson Landing fountains as we open for fan favorite ‘90s band, The Mixtapes. Beer garden opens at 7:30. We will play from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a concert under the stars. 100 Branson Landing Blvd. For more information, www. jukeboxwinos.com
ENT, The Bank of Missouri, Kanakuk, Branson Bank, Linkability Inc, Regions Bank, Casey’s.
more information, www. jukeboxwinos.com
Twitter: OzarkMediachick. Instagram: OzarkMediachick24. Each live talk show podcast, is all about Branson & the Ozarks, and is done, from.a local perspective, with a fun, positive spin.
Brought to you by our 28 sponsors: Bliss Gas Services, The Branson Globe, The Branson Show Awards,Branson’s Tribute To Johnny Cash, Camping World, Cindy Gilley, Consignnent Clothing Exchange, Dolce Vita Italian Ices, Dragon Wiens Designs, Fuschia Flip Chronicles, GT Graphics LLC,The Great Passion Play,King’s Castle Theatre, Made In The USA General Store, MarieZ, Michele’s Floral & Gifts, METAGOLF, Nashville Roadhouse Live, Peggy’s Rock Shop, Premier Dance Academy, The Red Garter, Signs NOW, Stevie Lee Woods, Sunfest Market, Sweet Shack Branson,Sweet Suzie’s Frozen Treats, The Rogue Chef Branson, Wrangler’s Star Studded Honky Tonk.
*For more info, on being a guest, or, a sponsor, call Carrie Anne at: 573-795-1921.
• 4 Branson Masonic Lodge 587 Monthly Spaghetti Lunch: Spaghetti Sunday. Fundraiser that supports local schools. Serving 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at 100 Chiefs Ct., Branson. All you can eat spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread, salad, dessert and drink for only $10.
• 4 Branson Jammin’ for Jesus: FREE GOSPEL CONCERT, 2 p.m. to benefit Horses Healing Hearts. Held at Hughes Brothers Theatre, 3425 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson. Donations of horse treats or gift cards to Tractor Supply or Atwoods appreciated. Join us for a time of praise and giving. 4 FBC Branson’s 18th annual back-to-school BASH from 5-8 p.m.. Inviting everyone for fun, free backpacks plus supplies, activities: swimming, inflatables, crafts, games, hot dogs, music, professional motorcycle stunt show plus face painting, balloon animals. Branson RecPlex Park, 1501 Branson Hills Parkway. Sponsors: Branson Globe, First Community Bank of the Ozarks, Mercy, Chickfil-A, Ozark Mountain
• 5 Quilts of Valor of the Ozarks Monthly Meeting and Sew Day, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 30 James River Rd., Kimberling City. QOVO holds their monthly meeting first Monday of each month. Doors open at 9 a.m. for sewing/ creation of quilts to veterans in SW Missouri/NW Arkansas region. Bring your sewing machine and a QOVO project to work on or pick up kit and learn from our educator how to create a quilt for a veteran presented at future date to a member of the Armed Forces. Anyone with an interest in honoring veterans is encouraged to stop in and talk to members about how they can be involved. Even if you don’t sew, there is an opportunity for you. Brown bag lunch followed by business meeting and show and tell at 1 p.m. Doors close at 3 p.m.
• 8 Wranglers Honky Tonk
LIVE MUSIC: Jukebox Winos, 5-7 p.m. EVERY THURSDAY. Proudly serving Dowd’s catfish and BBQ, burgers, steaks, brisket, ribs, pies, cobbler. Have dinner with us while we play favorite covers and original music. Stay for dancing with Melody Hart & The All Star Band. 625 Hwy. 165, Branson. For more information, visit www. jukeboxwinos.com, 417544-1405.
• 9 Jukebox Winos at TAPS on Downing Street, LIVE MUSIC. Enjoy 24 craft beers and cider on tap, plus local wines and Hook and Ladder’s pizza truck while we play favorite covers and original music, 7-9 p.m. 260 Birdcage Walk, Hollister. For
• 9 The Nest Concert Venue: The Bennett Hall Band in concert, 7:30 p.m. Intimate venue/listening room experience. This Nashville trio, know for their sibling harmony, has played across the country including CMA Fest, Tom Petty Weekend, and Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Room. TBHB is also known for the 300k-plus social following. Reserve tickets at nestconcerts. com. The Nest Concert Venue is located at 800 State Highway 248, Bldg. 3A, Branson.
• 10 Brashears Furniture’s Pet Adoption Event, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at two Brashears Furniture locations: 500 W. Trimble, Berryville, AR; 2750 W. Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, Branson. Brashears Furniture is pleased to announce their upcoming pet adoption event in partnership with the Good Shepherd Humane Society and Branson Humane Society. At this special event, Brashears Furniture will cover adoption fees up to $500 at each location.
10 Flo Rida set to electrify the Black Oak Amp stage Saturday, August 10 with guests special guests D.J. Skribble and NicDanger. Courtyard: 4:30 p.m.; gates open: 5:30 p.m.; showtime: 7 p.m. Black Oak Amphitheater, located at 1728 State Hwy. H in Lampe. https:// blackoakamp.com
10 Music on the Lake, FREE concert, 7 p.m. Hosted by Veterans of the Ozarks and sponsored by local neighbors and your favorite businesses. Kimberling City Shopping Center, 11863 Rt. 13, Kimberling City. Rainouts will be made up if possible. Schedule subject to change without notice.
• 11 Jukebox Winos at Pier 28 Pizza & Grill, LIVE MUSIC from 6-8 p.m. Pull up to Pier 28 for pizza, sandwiches, salads and more while we play friendly covers and original music. Courtesy dock. Family friendly. Bonus: Feed the ducks and tur-
9:40* QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE E 12:40, 3:00, 5:20, 7:40, 9:50* INSIDE OUT 2 W 12:40, 3:00, 5:20, 7:40, 9:50* aug 2 – Aug
FIRING SQUAD E 1:20, 4:20, 7:20,
tles. 344 Nautical Circle, Kimberling City. For more information, www. jukeboxwinos.com
• 12 Kimberling Area Library: poetry reading featuring Kansas author, D.A. Irsik, 1:30 p.m. Irskik, a successful young adult fiction author, presents her first poetry book, “Sunshine in the Weeds,” reflecting both life’s good and challenge from the perspective as a mother, daughter, friend. Free event in library’s community room, 45 Kimberling Blvd. No prior registration required. Light refreshments served.
• 13 HACC Leading Ladies event, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.. $10, registration required. Historic Hollister Train Depot. “Leading with Balance: Understanding Hormones for Women in Leadership.” Mini class included. How to deal with stress, time and emotional management. Light lunch featuring salad with grilled chicken, fruit salad, drinks. Sponsored by Tara Peterson CHS, BS, RT(R), CT – functional health provider/nutritional and behavioral change specialist, Thrive Functional Health. Limited seating. Sign up today: https://hollisterareachamberofcommerce.wildapricot.org/ event-5805827
14 Christian Women’s Connection (Stonecroft): “Live Free” luncheon, 11:30 a.m., for a fun, uplifting, inspiring event for women in lovely venue with delicious food. Point Royale Clubhouse, 142 Clubhouse Dr., Branson. Rebecca White, singer and instrumentalist, will entertain. Mary Walton will present story: “Blindsided.” She has bachelor’s degrees in music, early childhood and special education. Call 417-3431418 to sign up. Cost: $17.
• 15 Learn Hands-Only CPR for FREE; class starts at 9 a.m. Be prepared to save a life. Rotary Club of Hollister and Taney County Ambulance District are partnering to save lives. Please invest one hour to partner with us. Hands-only CPR can buy precious time to save a life until trained medical personnel arrive. Hourly, about 40 people have a cardiac arrest while not in the hospital—350,000 people a year. Class held at
Taney County Ambulance District, 106 Industrial Park Drive, Hollister. Park at the rear of the building.
• 15 Wranglers Honky Tonk LIVE MUSIC: Jukebox Winos, 5-7 p.m. EVERY THURSDAY. Proudly serving Dowd’s catfish and BBQ, burgers, steaks, brisket, ribs, pies, cobbler. Have dinner with us while we play favorite covers and original music. Stay for dancing with Melody Hart & The All Star Band. 625 Hwy. 165, Branson. For more information, visit www.jukeboxwinos. com, 417-544-1405.
• 16 Jukebox Winos at Bear Creek Wine Company & Brewery, LIVE MUSIC, 5-8 p.m. Local wine, craft beer, pizza, sandwiches, desserts and more at this rustic shabby-chic gem nestled in the hills just 10 miles north of Branson at 1320 Keithley Road, Walnut Shade. We will play favorite covers and originals. For more information, www.jukeboxwinos.com
• 22 Wranglers Honky Tonk LIVE MUSIC: Jukebox Winos, 5-7 p.m. EVERY THURSDAY. Proudly serving Dowd’s catfish and BBQ, burgers, steaks, brisket, ribs, pies, cobbler. Have dinner with us while we play favorite covers and original music. Stay for dancing with Melody Hart & The All Star Band. 625 Hwy. 165, Branson. For more information, visit www.jukeboxwinos.com, 417-544-1405.
• 23 Prayer Center of the Ozarks presents Dutch Sheets and Clay Nash: Gathering of praying people in the region. Intercessors will hear from Dutch Sheets and Clay Nash, National Prayer Leaders, who will share what God has placed on their hearts for this region. Free event. Doors open at 6 p.m., event starts at 7 p.m. Branson Hillside Theatre, 1985 Historic Hwy. 165, Branson. • 23 The Nest Concert Venue: Caleb Williams in Concert, 7:30 p.m. Intimate venue/listening room experience. Caleb Williams is a Christian singer/songwriter and worship leader from Branson finding new and creative ways to bring fresh sounds to Christian music. Reserve tickets at nestconcerts.com. The Nest Concert Venue is located at 800 State Highway 248, Bldg. 3A, Branson.
Branson West Heritage Museum features historic, controversial 1936 Olympics
Submitted to Branson Globe
The controversial 1936 Berlin Olympics, often referred to as the Nazi or Hitler Olympics, are the focus of a new exhibit at the Faith, Family & Country Heritage Museum in Branson West.
To exercise political control over its citizens, and to prepare German youth for war, the Nazi regime of Adolph Hitler harnessed sports as part of its drive to strengthen the “Aryan race.”
The non-Aryans—including Jewish or part-Jewish and Gypsy athletes—were systematically excluded from German sports facilities and associations. They were allowed only marginal training facilities, and their opportunities to compete were limited.
Many protests were held against the 1936 Olympics being held in Berlin, but in the end the Nazi regime was able to convince the world to allow the Berlin Olympics to go ahead, despite the widespread knowledge that Nazi Germany was a police state. For two weeks in August 1936, Reich Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels directed an astonishing “fake news” effort.
While organizing groundbreaking TV and radio broadcasting of the Games, he also ordered a coverup of anti-Semitic slogans from Jewish shops, moved “undesirables” out of Berlin, and toned down the racist Nazi newspaper coverage. Hiding their anti-Semitism and plans for territorial expansion, the Nazis exploited the
Olympic ideal, dazzling visiting spectators and journalists alike with an image of a tolerant country. Thousands of foreigners went away wondering why the Hitler regime had been vilified, unaware that not far from the stunning Olympic Stadium lay a concentration camp full of “enemies of the state.”
The museum exhibit also examines a number of the athletes who participated in the 1936 games, including Americans Jesse Owens, Helen Stephens and Louis Zamperini. Nicknamed the “Fulton Flash” after her birthplace of Fulton, Missouri, Helen Stephens won gold medals in the 100 and 4 x 100 relay.
While Owens was the star of the Games, winning four gold medals, Zamperini, a 19-year-old Californian, impressed many with his late surge to finished eighth in the 1,500-meter race. It was his amazing story of survival in World War II, however, that launched Zamperini into legendary status, inspiring the 2014 movie “Unbroken.”
A major controversy involved the benching of two American Jewish runners, Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller. Both had trained for the 4 x 100-meter relay, but on the day before the event, they were replaced by Jesse Owens and Ralph Metcalfe, the team’s two fastest sprinters. Glickman, who died in 2001, believed
Jesse Owens atop the podium at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, flanked by Japan’s Naoto Tajima, left, and Luz Long of Germany. (Photos courtesy Jim Zbick: Faith, Family & Country Heritage Museum)
Freedom Encounter announces special appreciation dates and events
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer
Freedom Encounter Theater invites the community and area visitors to take advantage of upcoming special events and appreciation months.
If you haven’t yet attended the “Turbo Edition” of Biblical Citizenship, there’s one date remaining. Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for this informative, inspirational class with live instructor Brian Rohlman and video instructors Rick Green and Kirk Cameron. You’ll learn the true foundations of freedom in the U.S. and how faith should impact responsibility as a citizen. Attendees
at the two previous sessions have unanimously agreed the day was well spent as they gained valuable new insight. The day also includes a performance of the Freedom Journey Show.
August is Area Appreciation Month for the Freedom Journey Show, with $5 tickets available at the door for
residents of Taney, Stone, Christian, Greene, and Boone County residents. Don’t miss this story of how nations fall under tyranny, what inspires the journey to freedom, and what it takes to preserve freedom for the next generations.
September is First Responder Appreciation Month, when all first re-
sponders and their spouses can attend the show for FREE. October is Pastor Appreciation Month, with FREE admission for pastors and their spouses. And of course, November is Veterans Appreciation Month, with FREE admission for veterans and their spouses. Freedom Encounter is located at 3220 Falls Parkway in Branson. For more information, call 417-544-0372, email info@freedomencounter.com, or visit https:// www.freedomencounter. com, where you can also learn more about new educational exhibits currently being developed and stay up to date on future events.
School of Santas brings more than 100 Santas to Branson
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
It truly was Christmas in July recently, when dozens of Santas converged on
School of Santas. Approximately 125 students plus staff and vendors attended the annual event which combines learning,
fellowship and fun with a little bit of holiday magic.
“Overwhelmingly the response was positive, because our school is often hailed as the kick start to the season,” explained Jessca Rosa, known as Santa’s official photographer, and of the School’s instructors. “There is enough time to
es enjoy classes on a variety of special topics. Rosa, with Holiday Photo Magic, demonstrated posing for portraits and offered suggestions on working with photographers.
springboard the new ideas, prior to the beginning of the season.”
Held at the AmericInn by Wyndham, the School of Santas began in 2018.
“This is our sixth year, with seven sessions, because in 2023 we held two sessions,” noted Rosa. Santas and their spous-
“Larry Talbert, from Atlanta, Georgia, taught about performers’ insurance and background checks,” explained Rosa. “Jeff McMullen, our featured instructor, traveled from Wisconsin to share his knowledge for two days as a former Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey clown and Santa Claus performer. He focused on his ‘magic of performance,’ which included suggestions on how to look natural while wearing makeup and finding the right style for our students. Shirley Wenner, who’s from New Jersey, distributed over 200 books while teaching how to read ‘with’ children, versus to them.”
It wasn’t just work, as the Santas enjoyed some time in Branson, attending the show SIX and the new magic show by Dustin Tavella. The
group of Santas traveled in style to the shows with decorated vehicles, some with lights flashing, as they made their way through Branson. Said Rosa, “During the school, we had Terry Wayne Sanders drop by as Granny Claus, and tribute artists as Kenny Rogers ‘The Gambler,’ Rick McEwen, and Garth Brooks, Rich Watson, and with his wife Anne Marie.”
Those in attendance also participated in Coffee with Claus, a motel room door decorating contest and lots of fun and festivities during the weekend event. Plans for next year’s School of Santas are already underway. The event is set for July 17-20, 2025. For more information on School of Santas, visit their website, SchoolOfSantas. com or reach out to Taunya Lay at Branson Ticket and Travel for registration and hotel reservations, at 417335-2707 or 800-432-4202, or via email at taunya@ bransonticket.com.
Branson for their annual
School of Santas gathered in Branson. (Photo by George Kurland)
Santa school (Photo by George Kurland)
BY COWBOY JOHN FULLERTON,
a native of Taney County, and a member of the Sons of the Pioneers.
Last week I took ya’ll back to 1944 with the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans feature “Lights of Old Santa Fe.” Today we’re going to June 19, 1945, the release date of one of the finest, the Roy Rogers feature “Bells of Rosarita.” Not only are Roy and his horse Trigger well featured, the familiar cast of Gabby Hayes, Dale Evans, with Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers all played wonderful roles. And to top it off, a number of wonderful guest performers from Republic Studios were enlisted. I’ll tell you who they are in a moment.
I recall seeing this movie the first time on VHS in 1994. I purchased it myself from some dear friends over near Tulsa who ran a used record store. Owned by the Johnson family, they sold a lot of Sons of the Pioneers radio broadcasts in addition to early country and bluegrass artists. Frontier Records was their store and
Memories from the Homestead: ‘Bells of Rosarita’ featured an all-star cast of cowboy actors
they ran it as a mail order business for many years. Every month they would send me an updated catalog of their items.
I was beyond excited as usual when my purchase of “Bells of Rosarita” arrived. Uncut, lasting at 68 minutes. I was blown away with the musical segments and Bob Nolan’s performing abilities. Bob played a second lead role that kept him very active during the entire film.
The plot gets down to business with Dale and Gabby who are trying to save her circus, since her father, the circus manager, has recently died. The opening scenes show where their circus is in its winter location at Gabby’s California based ranch, and Republic is filming a Roy Rogers movie, Bells of Rosarita. This portion of the film shows something rarely seen for a few moments, the shooting of the film.
Later in the film in order to save Dale’s circus act, Roy makes a phone call and is able to get assistance from fellow Republic stars. Making guest appearances are Wild Bill Elliott, Don “Red” Barry, Allan “Rocky” Lane, Sunset Carson and Bob Livingston. Many fans remember Livingston playing the Lone Ranger in early
versions of the series before Clayton Moore took the television series.
Roy and these Western guest stars chase down a gang of bank robbers, and then rush back to town on horseback in time to participate in a circus performance, which is the closing scene.
As I said earlier, Bob Nolan is quite active in his second lead role, and for the second time on film, Bob is romancing actress Adele Mara. Bob’s confidence as an actor truly shows here, and he played his part professionally. He was once offered his own Western series in the late 1930s when the Pioneers were under contract at Columbia, but he turned it down.
There’s quite a bit of comical fun in this feature involving Gabby Hayes and Pioneers bass player Shug Fisher. The other Pioneers are well featured as well. Along with Bob and Shug, the other Sons of the Pioneers are Hugh and Karl Farr, Ken Carson, and Doye O’Dell, who filled in for Tim Spencer.
The musical numbers include “Bugler’s Lullaby,” performed by the Robert Mitchell Boys Choir. They also back Roy on the title number, written by composer Jack Elliott, who wrote
many numbers for the Rogers films. Also performed by Dale Evans is a great performance of “Under a Blanket of Blue.” During the barbecue scene, Bob Nolan and Adele Mara do a dance as Roy and the Pioneers perform “Singin’ Down the Road.” Roy and the Robert Mitchell Boys Choir are featured on the Cliff Friend composition, “Gonna Build a Big Fence Around Texas.” I’ve always admired Roy’s simple yodel on this number.
The traditional song “Michael Finnegan” is featured by the Robert Mitchell Boys Choir and during the circus parade scene, the Sons of the Pioneers are featured with “When the Circus Came to Town.” Bob Nolan will perform his own composition, “Trail Herdin’ Cowboy,” a moving tune that was popular for a number of years on the group’s radio broadcasts.
“Bells of Rosarita” was the second of seven Roy Rogers film releases in 1945. It would be a very busy year for Roy and the Sons of the Pioneers. The Roy Rogers radio show over the Mutual Radio Network aired each Tuesday evening and was immensely popular. Republic Pictures continued this wonderful formula in the Rogers Westerns. As time allowed, there was quite a bit of touring. Everyone enjoyed the fame and all got along well together, as they were all like family. The support of their millions of fans would continue this popularity for years to come.
“Bells of Rosarita” is easy to find if you’d like to see it. The uncut version can be found on YouTube. Next week it’s back to some Taney County community history as I’ll take ya’ll to the neighborhood my family is from—Flag, Missouri. Happy trails, ya’ll!
Stone Co. Historical Genealogical Society and Museum: Importance, benefits of volunteering
BY BARBARA BOOTH
The Stone County Historical Genealogical Society and Museum features the importance of volunteers in this week’s article.
Volunteers provide time, skills and expertise to our nonprofit organization that helps Stone County Historical Genealogical Society and Museum fulfill our purpose and contribution to our community of Stone County.
Volunteering encourages civic responsibility and community service. Volunteerism is an investment to our community and the people who live in it. Unpaid volunteers are often the glue that holds an organization, as well as a community together.
Volunteering connects you to others, it is good for your mind and body, it also brings fun and fulfillment to your life. One of the more well-known benefits of volunteering is that it allows you to connect with your community and make it a better place for all. Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference in the lives of people, organizations and the community as a whole.
Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people—especially if you are new to the area. With the County Museum it gives our volunteers the opportunity to strengthen ties with community, Stone County, connecting counties, visiting tourists, also exposes you to people with common interests, neighborhood resources and fun and fulfilling activities.
Children watch everything we do. By giving back to the community, we
show them firsthand how volunteering makes a difference and how good it makes us feel to help other people.
Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health. The social contact aspect of helping and working with others can have a profound effect on your overall psychological wellbeing. Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection to another person.
Volunteering provides a sense of purpose. Older adults, especially those who have retired or lost a spouse, can find new meaning and direction in their
lives by helping others. Whatever your age or life situation, volunteering can help take your mind off your own worries, keep you mentally stimulated and add more zest to your life.
The Stone County Historical Genealogical Society and Museum as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) would not be able to function without the help and assistance of our dedicated volunteers.
The Historical Museum would like to extend an invitation to anyone interested in volunteering to help in the future growth of Stone Country Historical Museum to stop by, get acquainted and join our team. Exciting plans are in the future, and announcements will be “upcoming.” We are located at the lower end of Main Street, Crane, and are open to welcome you Thursday 10-4; Friday 10-4 and Saturday 10-2.
From 1945: A movie poster for the Roy Rogers feature, “Bells Of Rosarita” (Photo courtesy of the Sons of the Pioneers Museum)
Discover Branson’s hidden gem: Scotty’s Boat House Cafe
BY GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist
With the opening of Scotty’s Boat House Cafe (Boat House), Branson visitors and locals can experience an exciting and unique eating experience at Branson’s only floating cafe. The following interview with B.T., the owner of Scotty’s Trout Dock and Scotty’s Boat House Cafe, covers the details of this exciting, new eating experience. It’s in a Q&A format, with the Branson Globe (BG) asking the questions and Bill Thibodeaux (BT) answering.
BG: What is unique about the location of Scotty’s Boat House Cafe?
BT: It offers a unique outside dining experience
as Branson’s only floating cafe, its “becoming famous pizza,” and some unique specialty dining options.
BG: Where is Scotty’s Boathouse Cafe located?
BT: It’s conveniently located close to Historic Downtown Branson and Branson Landing at 400 Boxcar Willie Drive on Scotty’s Trout Dock at the southeast corner of Branson’s Lakeside RV Park.
BG: Is there plenty of accessible parking?
BT: Yes, there is convenient accessible parking in front of Scotty’s. Additionally, parking is available in the boat launch area.
BG: Is it ADA friendly?
BT: Yes. Everything, including the ramp to the dock, is wheelchair acces-
sible. The ramp’s incline is usually level, with minimal incline when there is no power generation or Lake Taneycomo is at normal operating levels.
BG: Are alcoholic beverages served or permitted?
BT: No alcoholic beverages are served or allowed at the Boathouse.
BG: What are the operating hours?
BT: We open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m., Sunday through Saturday.
BG: What kind of food do you serve?
BT: We have a varied menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner items, along with our “becoming famous” pizza and other unique specialty items.
BG: Do people like your pizza?
BT: They think it’s incredible. Since opening, we have made hundreds of pizzas, and with all the people raving about it, our pizza is quickly “becoming famous.”
BG: To what do you attribute the success of your pizza with your customers? After all, it’s made on a dock with no fancy stone ovens, etc.
BT: We keep it simple and offer a great variety of pizzas, using only the finest ingredients, from the crust to toppings, cooked and served to perfection.
BG: Do you offer standard cafe items like hamburgers, fries, etc.?
BT: We do, along with some specialty items that folks love.
BG: We’ve heard about the Scotty’s Boat House Breakfast Stacker. What is it?
BT: A large biscuit cut in half is covered with our delicious sausage gravy. An egg, sausage, bacon, and hash browns are put on top, and the entire stack is smothered with more of our gravy. It’s a great way to start your day. One thing is for sure: You won’t start it hungry!
BG: We know you serve a great meatball sandwich, but we’ve heard
people raving about a special Meatball Supreme sandwich. What is that?
BT: It’s our Scotty’s Boat House Meatball Supreme sandwich—a delicious combination of meatballs and pepperoni. One side has meatballs sliced thin on a bed of our special marinara sauce and cheese. Pepperoni, sauce and cheese cover the other side before adding more cheese. Served hot out of the oven, this is a customer favorite.
BG: Do you offer other specialty items?
BT: Absolutely. Customer favorites include the “Sloppy Dog,” made with our unique blend of chili and seasoning, and our chicken wings, seasoned with our specially formulated sauce.
BG: What about the lack of air conditioning?
BT: It’s not the same as sitting on your patio at home. The unique environment of the Boat House’s fully covered open-air seating with fans circulating the cooling effect of Lake Taneycomo’s 50-degree water as they generate power is nothing but pure “air conditioning.”
BG: Do you offer a combination deal for a “Date” or “Family Night” that combines food and a pontoon rental?
BT: We sure do. From
3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., we offer a “Date Night” or “Family Night” special. The Date Night Special consists of a one-hour pontoon boat rental, pizza of your choice, and drinks for $100. The Family Special includes a one-hour pontoon boat rental, two pizzas of your choice, and drinks for $125.
BG: Do you offer entertainment at the Cafe?
BT: We have a band on Friday and Saturday nights.
BG: You also offer a Church Bulletin Discount. What is that?
BT: If you present a church bulletin covering the week of your purchase, we will offer a 10% discount on all items except the Date and Family Night Special packages.
BG: What one thing do you want people to know about Scotty’s Boat House Cafe?
BT: Branson is all about making special memories for folks. Time spent at the Boat House with family or friends, eating some great food amid its unique atmosphere, will create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.
For more information or to reserve a “Date Night” or “Family Night” Special, call 417-334-4288 or contact them online at www.scottystroutdock.com/contact/.
Songwriting contest joins forces with nonprofit for October event
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
A popular songwriting contest, headquartered in Branson, will now serve as a fundraiser for a local nonprofit.
The HOOKED! Songwriting Contest is produced and hosted by the well-known musical group Prince Ivan—Brydon Brett and Aaron Space—and The Nest Concert Venue,
which is owned by Tom and Andrea Brett. This year the event will partner with the Branson Veterans Task Force, to provide essential funding for the nonprofit organization.
Based in Branson, the HOOKED! Songwriting Contest receives submissions from songwriters nationwide, each hoping to be one of the top-ten fi-
nalists who perform on a Branson stage.
“This year’s contest gives applicants nationwide the opportunity to get their songs heard by industry professional submissions judges who have incredible credentials,” explained Faith Nelson, Executive Assistant at The Nest Concert Venue. “Beyonce, Morgan Wallen,
Jennifer Lopez, Kenny Chesney, Maverick City Music, Grammy nominations, hundreds of millions of views and more.
The Top ten contestants will then have the chance to take the Pepsi Legends Theater stage on October 5 to perform in front of celebrity Show Judges, to be announced soon, and a live audience in an American Idol-style contest for a $1,000 cash prize. And, that is where the Branson Veterans Task Force comes
in.”
The well-known organization, with a mission of empowering the Branson area to create an environment of patriotic pride and dignity to recognize and honor our nation’s veterans and their families, will receive all profits from ticket sales at the October 5 event.
“We couldn’t be more excited about this partnership,” noted BVTF Chairperson Becky Jewsbury. “Not only will it benefit
the mission of our organization, but it will increase awareness and growth of the songwriting industry in the Ozarks, which we believe will foster more economic growth and tourism in the Branson area.”
The HOOKED! Songwriting Contest has become a well-established tradition in the Branson area.
“The goal of HOOKED! is to help Branson and the Ozarks become a hub for original music, songwriting and the recording industry at large,” explained Brydon Brett. “Choosing Branson Veterans Task Force as our nonprofit partner this year was an easy choice because it’s a true partnership. The more people that come to the show on October 5, the more money we can raise to support BVTF’s amazing mission and simultaneously bolster the songwriting industry in the Ozarks. It’s a huge win-win.”
Submissions for the HOOKED! Songwriting Contest are open until Saturday, August 10. Each songwriter, age 12 and above, can submit up to three songs, of any genre. For more information about HOOKED!, or to submit original songs for the contest, visit www. hookedsongwritingcontest.com.
75 Doc Miller Rd., Blue Eye (the old Spicy Tomatoes Restaurant on Hwy 13)
Scotty’s Boat House Cafe at Scotty’s Trout Dock in Branson (Photo from
that Coach Dean Cromwell and IOC member Avery Brundage were motivated by antisemitism and the desire to spare the Führer the embarrassing sight of two American Jews on the winning podium.
The museum in Branson West features an artifact directly connected to the 4 x 100 relay. While the U.S.A. sprinters, led by Owens and Metcalfe, won the gold in that race, the team from Italy finished second for the silver medal. Running the anchor leg for the Italian team that day, was Tullio Gonnelli.
Museum curator and historian Jim Zbick recently obtained the race bib number, 354, worn in the race by the Italian sprinter. Gonnelli immigrated to Springfield, Massachu-
setts, 18 years after the Olympics, where he lived until his death at the age of 92. The fabric, which carries the stamp of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, was obtained from the Olympian’s son, Paul Gonnelli, who now resides in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
“To have anything related to the 1936 games—let alone the 4 x 100 relay— is quite amazing, not only for its Olympics relevance, but for its importance on the stage of world history,” Zbick stated.
The exhibit is available for public viewing during regular museum hours, Sunday through Friday 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is located at 15025 Business Hwy. 13, Branson West.
Two documentaries on the 1936 Games, “The Jesse Owens Story” and “The Nazi Games,” can also be viewed at the museum.
For Italian sprinter Tullio Gonnelli, Olympic
Tullio Gonnelli was a sprinter who ran the anchor leg in the 4 x 100 relay race for the Italian team that finished second to the U.S.A. at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Tullio’s son, Paul, who now resides in Florida, shared a flashback his fa-
ther had later in life while watching a video of the race decades earlier.
“One moment sticks out in my mind when it comes to my dad and his Olympic experience. First off, I have to start by saying my dad, who didn’t come to this country until he was about 43 years old, didn’t talk much about his life in Italy or his Olympic experience to our family. Not really sure why. Maybe that was a part of him and his life that he just wanted to keep to himself.
“Anyway, one night we were all watching TV. It was me, my brother, my mom and dad. We were watching a documentary about Jesse Owens and the 1936 Olympics. When it came to show the 4 x 100 meter relay my dad perked up. I don’t think
Southern Missouri Arts Connection to host festive exhibit
BY LYNNETTE HORN
The Southern Missouri Arts Connection (SMAC) will present the work of local artist and College of the Ozarks graduate Valerie Clark in a solo exhibit, “Searching for Conviviality,” at the SMAC Art Center on historic Downing Street in Hollister. The exhibit will run from August 2-31. An opening night reception for the show will be held Friday, August 2, 6-9 p.m., in conjunction with State of the Ozarks (SOTO) First Friday Art Walk. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.
Clark is currently the artist-in-residence at SMAC Art Center. Her solo exhibit will be the culmination of her work over the past year while serving in that capacity. The SMAC Artist-in-Residence Program is made possible through a generous grant from Community Foundation of the
Ozarks and Springfield Regional Arts Council.
“Family and friends have always been important to me,” Clark said. “My exhibit is about creating festive moments with them. We often don’t remember day-to-day living, so it’s the special get-togethers with good friends that make our wonderful memories.” She hopes her artwork conveys joy and celebration to those viewing the exhibit.
During the opening reception, visitors may view the exhibit, enjoy free re-
freshments and tour the rest of the center’s private studios. The Vintage Paris Coffee kiosk will be on sight. At 7:30 p.m. during the reception, Clark will talk about her art and answer any questions.
Each month during their exhibits, SMAC highlights one of the many local nonprofit organizations that serves the area. This month SMAC is drawing attention to the Branson Humane Society. The Humane Society aids in the alleviating of distress and suffering of animals, and promotes
humane treatment through protection, placement and public education.
Southern Missouri Arts Connection (SMAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit local center of creativity, art education, innovation and community partnership, strives to improve the quality of life in southern Missouri by connecting individuals with the arts, for the benefit of all.
Clark (Photo submitted)
we had seen that documentary before.
“When it got to the part where they showed my dad, he jumped off the couch, on his knees right up against the TV and was shouting ‘look at me’ while he was cheering himself on. Wow, I
- Paul Gonnelli
LEFT: Tullio Gonnelli and Jesse Owens; RIGHT: The race bib worn by Gonnelli ((Photos courtesy Jim Zbick: Faith, Family & Country Heritage Museum)
AUG. 2, 2024
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer
Friends of Kimberling City Parks, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is currently working to fund park improvements in Kimberling City. At a recent Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce meeting, committee members shared that with Kimberling City’s
population growth brings the increased need for safe, fun spaces for young families to take their children or retired residents to take visiting grandchildren, as well as more green spaces to create a friendly and attractive atmosphere around town.
The committee’s current focus is on grant funding for Phase 1 of the city’s newest
park area, currently known as Hilltop Park, on Kimberling Boulevard. A 50/50 grant is available, with the citizens’ committee portion being about $250,000.
Currently, the city’s parks include Lakeshore Park, a small pocket park located at 19 Lakeshore Drive, which opened in 2019 as the first Kimberling City Park.
Lakeshore Park includes children’s playground equipment, along with sail shades for relief from heat during the summer months.
In 2020, the city opened its first dog park, now enjoyed daily by local resident dogs as well as visiting dogs and their humans. There are two separate yards, one designed for
larger and one for smaller dogs. An agility course in the large dog yard is available for all dogs to use; and shared toys are provided, fresh water is available during the warmer months, and there are picnic tables for dog parents to sit and relax while watching the fur kids run. The dog park is located at 15 Marina Way
behind City Hall. Learn more at https:// www.ckcmo.com/page/ parks-recreation, where you’ll also find a link to donate toward the Hilltop Park project and join with others in helping make Kimberling City an even more inviting place for Lake area residents and guests.
FBC Back-to-School Bash: KC Wolf is coming to Branson
Submitted to Branson Globe Summer is flying by in the Ozarks and it is time for the 18th annual Backto-School BASH hosted at the RecPlex Park in Branson. New this year will be a live visit from the Kansas City Chiefs mascot, KC Wolf. Now that Branson is recognized as the official vacation destination of the Kansas City Chiefs Football team, the official mascot, KC Wolf, at 7 feet tall and
85-inch hips will join the August 4 Back-to-School BASH party. The fun begins at 5 p.m. with lots of choices like swimming in the $3 million pool, inflatable slides, games, crafts, face painting, balloon animals. The 100 volunteers will serve you a hot dog, chips and water bottles along with Highland Dairy popsicles. A professional motorcycle, BMX bike and skateboard stunt show begins at 6 p.m.
Another bonus is that kids that are present can pick up a new backpack and some school supplies for the new school year coming up.
If you want to meet KC Wolf and get a photo with him, then he will be there at 5:15. Everyone loves this wolf, including Little Red Riding Hood. Some say he seems like a walking puppy dog! Since his introduction to Chiefs fans in 1989, KC Wolf has quickly become one of the most entertaining mascots in professional sports.
Whether he’s dancing, imitating Elvis, or performing one of his hilarious routines, audiences every-
where are guaranteed lots of laughs and smiles. KC Wolf brings energy and enthusiasm to sports competitions, charity events, parties, conventions, or any event that brings people together for fun and excitement. KC Wolf has entertained fans of all ages with appearances at football stadiums and major and minor league ballparks throughout the United States and around the world. From Japan to Germany, Mexico to Missouri, KC Wolf has become a popular attraction year after year at sporting events, community activities, conventions, grand openings, parades and
numerous other events. This big party is hosted by the church called FBC Branson. Everything at the BASH is free and while supplies last. The sponsors of the 18 Back-to-School BASH are Branson Globe Newspaper, First Community Bank of the Ozarks, Mercy Health, Chick-fil-A, Branson Bank, Bank of Missouri, Ozark Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat (Dr. Travis Brawner, Regions Bank, Kanakuk, Linkability, Casey’s, Horsin Around Golf Cars, 106.3 Legends, 100.1, 98.1, KLFC 88.1, 102.9 New Country and Monkey Moes.
Ramsey Solutions: How to save money on back-to-school shopping
RAMSEY SOLUTIONS
It’s here. The much anticipated (or dreaded) list of school supplies a mile long. To make it worse, your kid walks by in a crop top (that definitely wasn’t a crop top last season) to tell you their shoes don’t fit anymore. Let’s just say back-toschool shopping will be expensive this year. Not only do you have a lot to buy, but there’s also that whole inflation thing happening. If you’re expecting things to get more expensive, you’re not alone. This year, 84% of
people are expecting to see higher prices when back-toschool shopping.
Listen, that list of yours may be massive, but these 12 back-to-school shopping tips can help you prioritize your spending so you can save money (and we all want to save money).
1. Create and prioritize your list of back-toschool shopping needs.
Before you start shopping willy-nilly, create a list of needs and put them in order from most pressing to least. So, a few new shirts and a
pair of shoes might be at the top of the list and that new iPad for homework might be at the bottom (the old one is still kicking). You may not be able to cover everything right away—but creating this list will help you see what you need to tackle first.
2. Make a back-toschool budget.
Now that you have your list, it’s time create a budget. Remember, a budget actually gives you permission to spend! When you make a budget and stick to it, you’re telling those hardearned dollars where to go (and where not to go).
As you set up your budget, make a new budget category for school-related expenses that happen every single month (like after-school care or club fees). Other back-to-school expenses will be a one-time thing—like all those threering binders. All those onetime school supply items can go in a separate budget line item.
3. Save on clothing by seeing what you already have. Kids grow. And growing means outgrowing clothing. Before you start back-toschool shopping for pants that aren’t considered “high waters” and shirts that will cover your child’s stomach, shop your kids’ closets and drawers. What still fits? What doesn’t? Are there any hand-me-downs from your older kids? All this sorting SEE SCHOOL SHOPPING, PAGE 9C
KC Wolf (Photo submitted)
Exciting indoor fun: Rise Play Park opens in Branson
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
An exciting new playground for children celebrated its grand opening on Monday.
The new Rise Play Park held a ribbon-cutting event on Monday to announce the official opening of the indoor playground.
Rise Play Park is Branson’s only indoor play space designed for children to imagine, learn and explore. Designed for children aged zero to 10, Rise Play Park has a goal of encouraging creative, physical and adventurous play.
“We are celebrating, a year and a half in the making, a play area for kids in the Branson area and areas around Branson,” said Rise Play Park’s Sabrina. “We are providing space that was much needed here for little kids 10 and under. We have a bunch of imagination play buildings here for all
your kids to play. We have our favorite local stores and restaurants to play in. We’re just really excited to bring this so we have a fun and exciting place for adventure and imagination for tourists and residents.”
At Rise Play Park, children can create their own hand-crafted pizza at the park’s version of Mr. G’s Chicago Pizza and Pub, and care for animals at the Branson Veterinary Hospital. They can blend a perfect cup of coffee or scoop delicious ice cream at the park’s Funky Twig and shop at the Rise Play Park’s Nature’s Wonders store. The park even boasts a pirate ship, complete with pirate costumes and props.
A coffee shop offers snacks, coffee, espresso and more, and two party rooms, available by reservation.
“Our hours are going to be Monday through Thurs-
day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 to 7,” Sabrina explained. “We have birthday parties. We’ll have special events, so it will be really fun if you come and play.”
Rise Play Park is located at 3300 Gretna Road near the new Immersive Disney Animation venue. Their website is riseplaypark. com, and you can also find more information on social
PD OFFICER JESSE WILCOX: 2024 LOCAL HERO OF THE YEAR AWARD – We are incredibly proud to announce that Officer Jesse Wilcox has been awarded the 2024 Local Hero of the Year Award. This award is a testament to his selfless dedication and tireless efforts to serve our community. Officer Wilcox has shown extraordinary bravery and compassion, making a significant impact on the lives of Branson residents. His commitment to protecting and supporting our community is truly remarkable. Please join us in celebrating and thanking him for his outstanding service. We are grateful for his unwavering commitment to Branson. (Photo via Facebook)
media. “We’re going to continually grow and provide new and exciting things for everyone that comes here,” said Sabrina.
BRANSON POLICE DEPARTMENT: SAVE THE DATE FOR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT – Get ready for the sixth annual Branson National Night Out on Tuesday, October 1, 2024! National Night Out is a national community-building campaign that promotes police-community relationships. The city of Branson will be joining thousands of other communities across the country to host block parties, cookouts and more: Mingle with neighbors, first responders and city personnel. • Build community partnerships. • Enjoy delicious food and treats. • Have a blast with fun activities for all ages • Help make Branson a safer and more caring place to live. If you are interested in helping coordinate a neighborhood party in your neighborhood or would like more information, contact Officer Donathan at 417-337-8503 or ddonathan@bransonmo.gov. Follow our social media channels for more updates on NNO as it approaches. We hope to see you there! (Photo via Facebook)
LEFT: Mr. G’s storefront; RIGHT: Ribbon cutting (Photos via Facebook)
BRANSON
Triple-Berry Crisp
BY CHEF JEFF WOODWARD, The Rogue Chef TIME: 45 - 50 minutes
SERVINGS: 8 servings
INGREDIENTS: 1 C Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
¼ C All-Purpose Flour
• ¼ C Sugar ¾ C Light Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• Dash of Salt ⅔ C Unsalted Butter, melted 1 ½ C Fresh Raspberries
• 1 ½ C Fresh Blackberries
Mel Tillis’ Broccoli Corn Bread
SUBMITTED BY MARSHALL
HOWDEN August 8 is Mel Tillis Statesiders Day in Branson.
In honor of this special day, Marshall Howden provided the following recipe in memory of Mel—his grandpa. Marshall states, “This is my grandpa Mel’s famous recipe for Broccoli Corn Bread which can be found in his cookbook: “Mel’s A-Cookin’ with a d-d-ddash of h-h-h-humor!”
INGREDIENTS:
• 5 eggs, beaten 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 ½ C Fresh Blueberries ¼ C All -Purpose Flour
• ¼ C Sugar • ¼ tsp Salt ½ tsp Lemon Juice • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. Mix the oats, flour, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl.
6. Pour mixture into an 8-inch pie plate or similar size casserole dish.
7. Spread evenly.
8. Add the oat topping, pressing together some clumps, and covering the berries evenly.
9. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the berries are bubbling around the edges.
10. Remove from the oven and allow the berry crisp to cool before serving. GO ROGUE by serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or adding a scoop of yogurt to the berry crisp the next morning for breakfast. Want Chef Jeff to make this delicious meal for you? Contact him at www. TheRogueChefBranson.com
2. Put into greased 9”x13” pan or 11” iron skillet.
• 1 1/2 sticks melted butter
2 cups cottage cheese
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 10-ounce package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained
3. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour, or until good and brown on top. Cauliflower can be substituted for the broccoli.
2 -7-ounce packages Jiffy corn bread mix
INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Mix all ingredients.
August 8 is Mel Tillis Statesiders Day in Branson
www.meltillis.com and Branson Globe Staff
Branson Mayor Larry Milton signed a proclamation in 2022, when Mel Tillis would have celebrated his 90th birthday, declaring August 8 as Mel Tillis Statesiders Day. This honor is to recognize Tillis and his band for their part in the preservation of traditional country music and Branson’s musical success.
The proclamation read, in part, “Whereas, it is recognized that Mel Tillis became a Country Music Hall of Famer for his contributions to the genre as a singer, songwriter and iconic American comedian. He had around three dozen top 10 hits on the country charts, was named CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1976, and as a crowning achievement, re-
ceived the National Medal of the Arts from the President of the United States for his contributions to country music.”
The Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry member notched 62 studio albums, 37 Top 10 country hits, countless awards, regular appearances on the biggest TV shows of the day, and a handful of movies. Tillis became one of the most recognizable entertainers across several genres.
Mel Tillis—singer, songwriter, actor and music legend—opened his show in Branson in 1990 and began a 12-year run as a Branson theater owner. He quickly became a favorite in the area, sharing his music and unique brand of comedy with audienc-
es from around the world who traveled to Branson to see the icon on stage.
Mel’s children and grandchildren often joined him on stage on and off during those years. Daughter, country singer Pam, joined him for record sellout shows. Mel loved showcasing his band the Statesiders and backup singers the Stutterettes during his twothree hour shows.
During the 2000s, Mel returned to touring with his band the Statesiders after selling his Branson theater. His last performance was on January 3, 2016, in Laughlin, Nevada.
Mel’s fundraising benevolence is directed to the Shriners’ Children’s Hospital, and he was also a spokesman for The Stuttering Foundation.
So, what is a
Staff Reports
Obviously, there are some foods are healthier than oth-
ers: A leafy salad is healthier than a plate of fries; a salmon filet is healthier than
a loaded cheeseburger; a yogurt parfait is healthier than a hot fudge sundae. However, among healthy foods, some stand out. Superfoods are a category of super-charged, super-healthy foods that can do a whole lot for your body. What superfoods do Superfoods are generally natural foods that are especially nutrient-dense while generally being low in calories. They can increase your immune function and decrease your chance of disease. Each superfood has different nutritional properties, but overall, they’re associated with:
• Heart health. Strong immune system.
• Cancer prevention.
• Reduced inflammation. Lower cholesterol. What makes a food a superfood?
Superfoods are, in a sense, exactly what they sound like: a category of foods that are super-healthy. But not every healthy food is a superfood. In particular, superfoods are rich in:
Antioxidants: May lower the risk of heart disease, cancer and other diseases.
• Minerals: These essential nutrients help your body perform at its highest level.
Vitamins: It’s better to get these organic compounds from natural foods than from supplements.
LARRY DABLEMONT is an outdoor publisher, columnist, author, speaker, naturalist and outdoorsman.
Jeff Ramori killed a wild turkey last October in Crawford County not far from Steelville and checked it legally. He then cleaned it and froze it. Shortly afterward a young conservation agent showed up and knocked on his door and wanted Jeff to show him the turkey and take him to where he had killed it. When they do that, you should never comply unless they have a search warrant. That warrant only applies if you killed the turkey or deer on your own land. If
will definitely take some time, but in this case, time spent is money saved.
4. Spread out the shopping.
Don’t feel like you have to buy a whole new wardrobe before school starts— because you don’t (no matter how much your kids want you to). Spread out the spending over several months to make it easier on your budget.
Buy a little this month, buy a little next. Don’t blow the budget in August. Not only is that a risky money decision, but your kid is also likely to shoot up another inch by October. Then, it’s back to the racks again.
5. See what supplies you already have.
At the end of last year,
Outdoors with Larry Dablemont: ‘Come out so we
you killed it off your land, a search warrant is meaningless unless it is served on the owner of the land.
The agent had no search warrant, so Ramori, who was busy at the time, refused to comply. He had read one of my columns about how any agent asking you to take him to your hunting spot is about to give you a citation over some silly technical thing 100 percent of the time. Some agents will drop a little corn at the site out of their pockets when you aren’t looking. Then you are charged with baiting. In such a case you are just going to have to pay a fine because your word means nothing.
Ramori refused the order, then went back inside, closed his door and noticed that the game warden had not left. He simply waited outside for most of two hours before coming back to the door wanting again to see the place where Ramori had
your child emptied their cubby, desk or locker and brought home a mixed bag of stuff: part trash, part memories, and part still-useable supplies. If you kept any of that good stuff, can you use it this year?
6. Know the difference between cheap and value. Tacos, sandcastles, bookbags and school supplies. What do these things have in common? No one wants them to fall apart. Inexpensive things sometimes do just that with daily use. As you hunt for deals, think more about the word value than the word cheap. An item can be cheap in more ways than one: cost and quality. If something is low cost, it can be a good value. But if something is low quality, it isn’t worth your money. Especially if
been hunting. Ramori again refused. Then he wanted to see the frozen turkey carcass that was in the freezer. Jeff made a mistake then; he brought the turkey out to show the game warden and the warden took it to his pickup and kept it. Then he wrote a citation stating Ramori was guilty of a violation called ‘failure to inspect.’
What that agent did was nothing less than theft. And he was trespassing. The turkey he took had been legally taken and checked. The agent had no right to it, and there was no legal basis for demanding that Jeff Ramori take him to his hunting spot, miles away. All this is typical of today’s young conservation agents. They feel they can do anything they want, legal or not and get away with it.
One older retired agent told me, “I was trained before I went to work as a game warden, 40 some years ago. We all were. But these new
you have to replace it in a few months all over again.
This is important when you buy clothing and supplies that’ll take a lot of wear and tear—like shoes, coats, backpacks and jeans (including the ones you hope to hand down from one kid to the next). We’re not saying go crazy, but make sure you keep quality in mind as you’re shopping.
7. Use the dollar store for some back-to-school shopping.
Using that same cheap vs. value thinking, check out your local dollar store. Yes, you’ll see plenty of junk, but you might be surprised at the quality finds awaiting you.
For one, they often get random shipments of namebrand items that sell for up to four times the dollar store price at other stores.
agents are not trained, they are brain-washed.” Agent Ron Vance resigned after a couple of years as an agent because he said his supervisor asked him to lie in court so the MDC could get someone they were after.
I called enforcement chief Randy Doman, and we talked about what had happened to Jeff Ramori and he said he would look into it, but like all personal matters he said he could not discuss what he had found. In such a manner, the MDC has to answer for nothing they do. At the time of this writing, the agent who targeted Ramori remained at the job, still searching for easy victims in his county. Mr. Ramori got the charge against him dismissed in court but of course he did not get his turkey back. He had to pay $500 to a lawyer who told him not to talk to me anymore about the matter. Of course, that lawyer was out of bounds asking
Also, certain items like clipboards, poster board, planners and pens are just as good here as anywhere else.
8. Don’t rule out the prepared back-to-school supply box.
If your child’s school offers a prepared supply box, check into it! We can put a lot of stress on ourselves doing all that extra shopping and end up saving only a couple of dollars—or really no dollars at all.
9. Buy used.
Don’t force your preteen to sport a used Dora the Explorer backpack because it was the only one at the thrift store. But also, don’t feel like everything has to be brand-new every year.
Consignment shops, garage sales, thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace are all great options to find great
such a thing. I believe it was because he was sympathetic to the MDC, and the whole thing made him some good money for little effort. Now Ramori has filed a small claims suit against the department because of the theft and bogus charges, and they have answered it by stating they have ‘sovereign immunity’ protecting them from such action.
I have appointments on August 19 to meet with the new director of the Department of Conservation and on the same day I will also meet with the enforcement chief, Randy Doman. I will attempt to set up public meetings where the outdoorsmen from Missouri can come and submit written questions to each of them. They do not want to do that! I will let readers know about the response and the date and place of any such meetings in my newspaper column, which you may read in any one of 40 newspapers or on the internet at larrydablemontoutdoors. blogspot.com. Mr. Doman has asked me to bring him comments or questions from readers of this magazine or newspaper columns on that day, August 19. If you have a complaint, comment or question, email them to me at lightninridge47@gmail. com or mail them to me at Dablemont, Box 22, Bolivar, MO 65613, and I will try to get an answer for you. If you have not received and read the magazine, “The Truth About the Missouri Department of Conservation,” send $6 to cover postage and handling to get one mailed to you. You will learn a great deal about what they do and what your rights are in connection to the activity of their agents. Act soon as there are only a couple hundred of them left. The address is: Dablemont, Box 22, Bolivar, MO 65613. Email me at lightninridge47@gmail.com.
used items. And heck—as if Goodwill’s prices aren’t good enough in the first place, they usually have at least one half-off day every month. Get. Those. Deals.
10. Take advantage of that back-to-school taxfree weekend.
If your state has sales tax and schedules a tax-free weekend this year, plan your shopping around that date and get in on those savings! Depending on your state, you can usually buy clothing, school supplies, shoes and even some tech items tax-free.
11. Download apps to your favorite stores.
Target and Walmart have apps with some serious savings perks when you’re back-to-school shopping (or doing any shopping, to be honest). You can get special
offers, see store pickup options, and check out clearance items—all from the palm of your hand.
12. Use coupons while back-to-school shopping. Hey, coupons aren’t just for grandmas and extreme couponers. You can save so much money by finding coupons online or by checking those old-fashioned paper sales ads. It seems like a lot of work clipping or clicking and then keeping up with it all—but $0.50 here and $1 there really adds up. Literally. That’s why 24% of back-to-school shoppers are planning on using more coupons this season.2 (And you should too!) And like we said before, there’s coupon apps out there that help you save (and keep track of) all those coupons.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC
HEARING on August 7, 2024, at 5:45 p.m. at the Village of Indian Point Office located at 957 Indian Point Road. The Village of Indian Point Planning and Zoning Commission will consider an application from Branson Lakeview Estates located at Parcel #
12-9.0-31-00-001.000 for a Zone Map Amendment from Residential (R-1) to Commercial (C-1). Public comment will be accepted at the meeting.
GRIEF SHARE SUPPORT GROUP: A new class for Grief Share will begin Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Branson UMC. This is open to people from our community, surrounding areas and our own church family at BUMC. We welcome both new and returning participants. Gather at 1 p.m. for “social time” and class will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. For questions call Peggy at 641-919-1533. All are welcome!
AMERICAN LEGION
POST #220 would love to invite all of our former and current U.S. military friends to join us Monday mornings, 9 a.m., for coffee and pastries, with the exception of the second Monday of the month and national holidays. Come join us at M. Graham Clark Downtown Airport, 491 Blue Sky Lane, Hollister. Monthly business meeting is the 2nd Monday of the month 6 p.m. at Denny’s, 2335 West 76 County Blvd., Branson. We look forward to meeting you! HOOAH!
CELEBRATE RECOV-
VETERANS & MILITARY COALITION OF THE OZARKS is an all-volunteer organization of veterans serving veterans. Contact us if you feel that you, as a veteran or veteran family, may not be receiving the benefits you deserve. Go to VMCO1.org and click on CONTACT at the top of the home page. VMCO meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month (no meeting in July or November) at the Golden Corral in Branson with 11:15 a.m. (optional) lunch buffet and 12-1 p.m. meeting.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCATION SUPPORT GROUP meets at the Branson-Hollister Senior Center, 201 Compton Dr., Branson, the last Wednesday of every month from 1:30-3 p.m. For more information, call Mark Applegate at 417955-2513 or email mark.applegate@senioragemo.org.
DEADLINE FOR FRIDAY’S PAPER: Wednesdays @ 10 a.m. GET YOUR ALWAYS-FREE BRANSON GLOBE DELIVERED TO YOUR EMAIL INBOX! Go to www.bransonglobe.com
BRANSON CONDO ON TABLE ROCK LAKE – Lakefront condo with 2 beds & 2 baths. Sleeps 8 and pets are allowed. $100/ night. Call 816-931-3366
FOR RENT: 3 bedroom / 1 bath, all electric mobile home in a quiet, forested, mature community. Wheel chair entrance, parking at your door with a sidewalk to the street. Utility shed included. $550/mo. Call 417-331-1556.
IF MY PEOPLE, WHICH ARE CALLED BY MY NAME, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
IF YOU ARE A MILITARY VETERAN in need of a place to live, please call us and we’ll try to meet your needs. GUMI CAMP USA 417-559-3892
CLEANING SERVICES for residential, commercial. New construction and resorts. Serving the Tri-Lakes Area. Contact Tina Beth at 417-824-3092.
ERY is a place to heal from your hurts, habits, and hangups. We meet every Monday night at 6:30 PM at Music City Centre, 1839 West 76 Country Blvd., Branson. For more information call 417–3202055 See you there! MASTER ELECTRICIAN, no job too big or small. Call for a FREE Estimate, 417-337-1747.
FREE ESTIMATES AND TIMELY RESPONSE. Full remodels, decks, pole barns, garages, fencing and small projects. Call 417-699-1635
ACE HOME IMPROVEMENT: Heating and air, HVAC service and repair, doors, windows, decks, fences, pressure washing, interior and exterior painting, siding, roofing, flooring, tile and drywall. Handyman work! Call Ryan: 417-335-1347.
HOME TO SELL OR ROOM TO RENT?
Let the Globe help you get the word out. Reach thousands of readers each week with an ad just like this for
WANTED: HOME OR APARTMENT – Single man, widowed, with trio of pups in tow, seeks home/apt. in or near Branson, by Aug. 1, wouldn’t you know. Attends Bloom Church, steady job on my side, nonsmoker, and yummy well water, is what I prefer inside. As co-founder of Bransonwood Film Production Co., I’m in search of a place, a cozy domain, for me and my three tiny dogs, where happiness will reign. If you have a home that suits some of our needs, please let me know. I’m ready to proceed. Curt, 417-527-0808.
FOR LEASE Just remodeled, 3 Bedr 1BA Home 145 Greenbriar Lane Hollister Has fenced in backyard, and 1car attached garage, laminate flooring. No smokers. $1,175.00, P/M, background App. Fee $55.00. Call Carolyn 417-337-0398 PLEASE LEAVE MESSAGE
ROOM TO RENT – Private upstairs master bed w/ensuite. Wi-fi stream, TV, fridge. Micro, inroom laundry, kit privileges; close to IMAX. $675 + $675 dep. (can be pd after move-in). 417593-2817, leave message.
RENTAL: Family friendly. Deposit and rule agreement required. Cable/ WiFi, fridge and micro included. $189/week. Colonial Mountain Inn, Branson West 417-272-8414.
HELP WANTED
MOVERS NEEDED:
Need help moving one mile in Kimberling City on August 6. Need a driver and at least two others to help load and unload a U-Haul truck. Call 417396-1988.
YOUR AD WOULD LOOK GREAT HERE!
CITY OF BRANSON WEST is seeking a full-time Prosecutor / Police Clerk. Clerk is responsible for a variety of tasks related to the Prosecutor/Police operations including processing reports, answering phones, taking messages, processing report request, tracking officers training certificates, completing MULES training, maintaining visitor log, tracking fingerprint cards, maintaining employee files, assisting in grant applying and reporting, creating files for prosecutor, attendance at court, etc. Requirements: High School diploma/GED, Experience with Microsoft Office applications, possess excellent organizational and communication skills.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00-4:30 p.m. City of Branson West offers excellent benefit package. Interested applicants can forward a copy of their resume to cityclerk@bransonwestmo.gov or pick up employment application at 110 Silver Lady Lane Branson West, MO 65737. Contact City Clerk Amy McKnight at 417-2723313 with any questions.
SCOTTY’S TROUT DOCK/ CAFE looking for help. Apply in person. 400 Boxcar Willie Dr., Branson. 417334-4288.
PLACE. Need P.M. pasta cook and prep cook. Fun, working atmosphere. Come in and fill out an application. 1451 Acacia Club Rd., Hollister.
GUMI CAMP, a healing retreat for American Veterans, GUMI, a healing retreat for America’s veterans, is in need of welcome CTR Personnel. Possibly trade time for RV trailer living. Please call Tim Hadler at 417559-3892.
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT full or part time employee? Place an ad in the Branson Globe, and fill that position FAST! An ad just like this one costs just $17.75/ week!
HERE’S YOUR SIDE HUSTLE –BRANSON GLOBE NOW HIRING!
The Branson Globe needs a sharp, motivated PRINT & DIGITAL MARKETING sales person for Stone County. Straight commission/1099 position. Join the fabulous Branson Globe team today! Contact Rob at 417-334-9100 or 504-583-8907.
41. Half of a notorious film duo 42. Swiftly 44. Onion sections 45. Ghost town’s mayor or police chief? 46. Certain access code 47. Gathered dust 48. Legendary 50. Fountain treats 52. Wait in the shadows 53. Geneva poker pot? 58. Southwestern natives 59. Muck 60. Aerosmith lead singer 61. Kind of builder 62. Kernel 63. Downsizer’s task Down 1. Hang loosely 2. Self starter? 3. Wine consideration 4. Ukraine’s capital 5. They may break the ice?
6. U.S. offering to investors 7. Movie lioness 8. Actor Mineo 9. Everything 10. Chastise 11. Madrid votes? 12. Peddle
in history...
• 1790 First U.S. Census conducted; population was 3,939,214 including 697,624 slaves
• 1909 U.S. issues first Lincoln penny 1934 Adolf Hitler becomes commander-in-chief of German armed forces
• 1939 Albert Einstein writes to U.S. President Frank-
lin D. Roosevelt informing him of recent research on fission chain reactions making possible the construction of “extremely powerful bombs”
1964 North Vietnam fires at U.S. Navy destroyer
USS Maddox in what becomes known as the Gulf of Tonkin incident which
13. Cribbage pieces 18. “Jeopardy!” host Trebek 22. Bacchanalia 23. Celie portrayer in “The Color Purple” 24. Spahn or Moon
25. Raised in Rome
27. “Doonesbury” creator Trudeau 29. Around-the-world journalist 30. Averse 31. Gidget, off screen 32. Inheritor under primogeniture
34. In and of itself
37. No-goodniks
38. Underhanded
40. Arctic mass
41. Double-deck card game
43. Down-to-earth
44. Eye protectors
46. Presented, as a problem
48. Make a boo-boo
49. Mercury or Saturn
50. Label info
51. Charon’s river 54. Misfortune
55. Ring leader, once 56. Griffey of baseball 57. Work unit
would eventually escalate U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War
1986 Saddam Hussein offers peace in open letter to Iran
• 2012 American swimmer
Michael Phelps wins an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal in the 200m individual medley at the London Olympics
See more fun puzzles at: https://www.puzzles.ca/sudoku/
