The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! – John 1:29
‘A legacy of dedication’: Birthday celebration, commemoration held for local centenarian
SUBMITTED BY PAT CAMPBELL
Bonnie Garrett celebrated her 100th birthday at the Bungalows at the Meadows surrounded by family and friends. About 75 people attended, almost 200 birthday cards were received, and a fun time was had by all. Bonnie was born at her parents’ farmhouse near Corning, Arkansas, on January 2, 1925. She married during World War II and worked at a U.S. Naval Base in southern California while her husband, Carl, was serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Guam. After the war ended, Bonnie and her husband settled in the St. Louis area where they raised their three children.
Bonnie worked at a St. Louis County Schnuck’s grocery store for 21 years. She was recognized as the Checker of the Year in 1981 by Schnucks and received an all-expense paid trip to London. After retiring in 1987, she and her husband started a travel company focused on senior travel and traveled to 34 different countries over the next 16 years. Following the death of her husband, Bonnie bought a condo in Lakewood Estates and moved to Branson in 2003 to be near her daughter, Pat Campbell. For the next 20 years Bonnie volunteered her time to help in the annual Branson’s Veterans Week. She also volunteered her time at the Branson Chamber of Commerce for many years.
During the birthday celebration, Bob Smither president of the Branson Veterans Task Force presented a plaque that
read: “In honor of Bonnie Garrett’s 100th birthday, we are pleased to commemorate her legacy of dedication, commitment, kindness and service to the veteran community for well over 20 years. To celebrate this remarkable milestone, the Day Room at Veterans Village, hosted annually during Branson’s Veterans Homecoming week, is hereby named The Bonnie Garrett Day Room. This special designation serves as a tribute to Bonnie’s unwavering support and the positive impact she has had on all those who have had the privilege of knowing her. Thank you, Bonnie Garrett, for your exemplary contributions and the inspiration you continue to provide. Presented by the Branson Veterans Task Force.”
[Editor’s Note: All of us at the Branson Globe wish Bonnie a happy and blessed 100th birthday! Thank you for your service to our community.]
Explore Branson’s show schedule useless for Spring Break?
By GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist
In researching an article, this writer wanted to know if “Presley’s Country Jubilee,” “The Haygoods,” and “Legends in Concert” shows would be available during the March 7-13 period of the Spring Break. Having seen one of the many Explore Branson ads on TV, I visited the Explore Branson website at https://www.explorebranson.com/.
The first thing I noticed on the page was that there
was no place to enter the dates I was interested in, but there was an option for “Live Shows.” When I clicked on “Live Shows,” one of the options I got was “All Live Shows.” That took me to a page https://www.explorebranson.com/shows#!gridFeatured1 headlined with the verbiage, “Your Vacation Needs a World-Class Live Music Show.” I still couldn’t find a place to enter the dates or names of the shows I was interested in, so I scrolled
down the page and finally found a calendar under the section entitled “It’s Showtime Branson Shows Schedule.” I entered March 7 for Arrival and March 13 for Departure.
See a screenshot of Gary’s show search on page 2A
The image of that search result indicates, in the upper right-hand corner, that only eight shows are open during that period,
only one of which, “The Haygoods,” I was interested in seeing. I entered the names of the other two shows, “Presley’s Country Jubilee” and “Legends in Concert,” in the Search Box. The result for each said, “Try a broader search. No results match your search criteria.”
Believing that was incorrect, I took the date filter off the search to show all the shows in the database as of 8:00 a.m. on January 8, 2025. There were 15, none of which were “Presley’s Country Jubilee” or “Legends in Concert.” I then went to the Show Page of one non-government sponsored site, Branson.com, at https://www.branson. com/shows/ and entered the dates March 7-13. The search returned a list that contained all three of the shows I was interested in “Presley’s Country Jubilee,” “The Haygoods,” and “Legends in Concert.” Because people typically plan vacations, etc.,
SEE SHOWS, PAGE 2A
Garrett at 97 organizing the Veterans’ Branson Day Room.
AT RIGHT: Garrett and her family celebrating her 100th birthday! (Photos submitted by Pat Campbell)
Caring for our community
–Help sought for Branson family after house fire
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
Neighbors are seeking help for a Branson family who lost their home in a fire.
Chuck and Sheila Dockery’s home on Branson’s Quail Road was consumed by fire on the evening of January 3.
One of the couple’s grown sons was also living at home.
“They have lived there for 33 years,” explained a family friend, Tahlia. Tahlia’s mother was a neighbor and close friend of the Dockery family.
“The family was not home. My mom contacted them to let them know,” Tahlia explained.
Chuck works for Memco, and Sheila, who was recently released from the hospital after a lengthy stay, is currently unable to work due to a heart condition, according to Tahlia. The family is well-respected in the neighborhood and community.
“Chuck is known for helping others, often through his church,” said Tahlia. “He fixes things, mows, etc. I know he has done numerous things for our family, as we have had our share of trauma through the years.”
Although the family was unharmed during the fire, all of their belongings were lost, as were the family pets— three cats and three dogs.
Said Tahlia, “The dogs were Miss Priss—a 20-year-old dog belonging to Sheila’s mother, and Shadow and Sissy. The cats were Vader, Fluffer and Widdle. Animals are everything to Sheila.”
Tahlia has started a GoFundMe account to help the Dockery family with their immediate needs. The GoFundMe page is listed under Dockery Family Fire Support.
“Our goal is to raise enough money to get their needs take care of and allow them to have a somewhat normal life while they try to rebuild their home,” Tahlia explained.
Chuck and Sheila are members of the First Baptist Church in Branson. The church is also helping the family by collecting clothing and shoes: women’s size medium clothing and size 7 shoes; men’s clothing sizes XL and 2XL and shoes sizes 9 and 13. Clothing and shoes can be dropped off at the First Baptist Church, 400 South Sunshine, Branson, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Online creator searching for Branson woman
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
An online content creator is searching for a Branson resident.
Jodi Lytle is a digital creator. Known as The OG Opener, Lytle sifts through hundreds of pieces of unclaimed or non-deliverable
mail each day, in search of treasures or unique items. Often, in her posts on Facebook reels, Lytle makes a plea to her followers to help her locate the intended recipient of an item. Recently, Lytle opened a piece of mail addressed to a Branson resident. The package, addressed to Shelly of Branson, MO, contained a cup with a unique message. The cup, with the greeting “Dear Dad” contained a message from Scout, with the photo of a dog.
Lytle made a plea to her viewers to help find Shelly so that the item could be delivered. If you know the Shelly who ordered this cup, please reach out to Jodi Lytle on Facebook to claim your mail!
First Annual Community Baby Shower set
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
Several area organizations are teaming up for the area’s First Annual Community Baby Shower. Set for February 1, the event is designed for expectant mothers and mothers of newborns six weeks of age or younger. Individuals who regis -
ter and attend the Baby Shower will receive free health and safety items, diapers and wipes, free groceries and more. Pregnant mothers will also receive a free ultrasound. Drawings will be held for items such as Pack n’ Plays and car seats. Various area organizations and businesses will be on hand to share information on resources and services they provide. A light lunch will be provided for all mothers in attendance. Hosted by OACAC, Home State Health, Christian Action Ministries and Revealz Ultrasound, the Community Baby Shower is set for Saturday, February 1, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Christian Action Ministries HUB, located at 2400 Historic Highway 165 in Branson. Admission is free, but participants must register by contacting Sundii Schafer at sschafer@oac.ac.
Congressman Eric Burlison sworn in to represent Missouri’s 7th District in Congress
Submitted to Branson Globe
Congressman Eric Burlison was officially sworn in as the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s 7th Congressional District. Burlison, a proven conservative leader, expressed his gratitude to the people of southwest Missouri and reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for their values in Washington, D.C.
“It is an honor to represent the hardworking people of Missouri’s 7th Dis-
trict. I am ready to advance the America First agenda, defend our freedoms, and ensure that our nation’s policies reflect the values of southwest Missouri,” said Congressman Burlison.
During his first term, Burlison has been a leading voice for fiscal responsibility and protecting the rights of property owners and law-abiding gun owners. As a strong advocate for the Trump-Vance agenda, he is determined
to secure the border, combat inflation and prioritize American workers.
“Now more than ever, we must stand firm against the overreach of Washington bureaucrats. I will fight tirelessly to uphold the principles that make our nation great.” Burlison stated.
Congressman Burlison looks forward to serving the people of Missouri’s 7th District with integrity, determination and an unwavering commitment to conservative values.
• SHOWS Continued from page 1A
on the Internet three to six months in advance, I contacted Heather Herman, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB. We went over the situation step by step. Hermen said, “For explorebranson.com, we invite all shows, promoters, marketers and managers to keep their show information up to date with their 2025 schedule. We promote the destination across the country and point visitors to our website. We can be the best destination marketers by having the most up-todate information. We also
encourage anyone planning a visit to simply click the date in the calendar on the Live Shows page and begin their search for the best live music shows to experience in Branson while they visit.
“If anyone needs to contact us about their listing, please reach out to me directly, Heather Hermen, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Explore Branson, hhermen@bransoncvb. com.”
Burlison (FILE)
ExploreBranson search results show only eight shows open during the Spring Break period, 7-13 March 2025. (Photo from ExploreBranson.com show schedule submitted by Gary J. Groman)
Made In The USA General Store proprietor makes
BY LUANNA FULLERTON, Entertainment Writer
Do you know where the “Made In The USA General Store is here in Branson? If you don’t, you need to find it. Brian Karn, owner, is a very “Giving Man” and loves to help others out.
With every product that is in his store being Made In The USA, how many stores can you go to that have every item made only in the USA?
As I was walking around and observing the multiple items from toys to tools to food items to household items to jewelry and so much in between, I was able to chat with Jay Scribner who was a recipient of Brian’s kind generosity of giving. The organization that Jay works with received for the last three years and will continue to receive donations that are distributed to the people that need them most. A quote from Jay was, “ I am thankful to be associated with Brian and Made In The USA Store. He is a wonderful proprietor of this store. This is a tremendous store that he cares about the basics and that it is made in the USA; it’s pretty exciting that we have a store in this town that concentrates on USA made only products.”
Jay further states, “That it
Submitted to Branson Globe
The American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give lifesaving blood or platelets in the new year to help keep the blood supply strong this winter. Type O negative blood donors and those giving platelets are especially urged to give now to keep critical blood products on the shelves for patients in need.
The start of the new year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood products as the threat of severe winter weather builds and can often lead to widespread blood drive cancellations. Additionally, an active cold and flu season may prevent people from keeping donation
is of the Lord’s work and that Brian is a blessing to them. We have been associated with him for the last few years through his generous donations to our public foundation - Berean Liberty Foundation. They then distribute the merchandise through other ministries. We are so very grateful to him. Berean Liberty Foundation functions strictly through donations. All the items that are received are the best because they are made right here in the good ole USA, so they will last a while.”
Brian and Made In The USA General Store have donated items and money to CAM, SIX-Canned and dry goods fundraiser, Grace Community Church, and different church food pantries. Brian has donated many dollars’ worth of items over the years he has owned his store and has no plans on stopping. He wants to continue to do the Lord’s work of giving. While in his store, you might be blessed with a penny that is made through Cross Penny Ministries out of Texarkana, TX, and Denver, CO. He has given over 50,000 away, and the money that he pays for these goes right back to their ministries, so they can continue their work. People
appointments as they rest and recover from illness.
During National Blood Donor Month, the Red Cross celebrates those who generously roll up a sleeve to help save lives and urges those who are feeling well to make and keep donation appointments to help the blood supply stay on track throughout the winter.
Don’t sit on the sidelines, kick off 2025 with a blood or platelet donation. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800RED CROSS.
For the sixth year, the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering in January for National Blood Donor
have actually cried when he has given it to them. Within his store of so many items, there are 47 different states that are represented. He stated that Alaska is a hard one to receive items from though. You could spend at least a good hour in the store just looking at all the different items and being amazed that they are all made in the USA, and I love that! You can find items for your pets, the largest USA made military hat selection, handmade items and green toys. Commercial made ware made in the USA only. Hillbilly items to the Constitution books. Zippo lighters are a hard item to find, but he has them.
While in the process of looking around the store and talking with Brian, he was showing and telling me the many different places where different items were from and came across a unique wood carved mushroom. He made the statement that it was from Southwest Kansas, and I stopped him immediately and asked where in Southwest Kansas. He said, “I believe out past Dodge City.” I laughed and said do you have a way to trace where? So, we went to his computer and within three minutes he had my
Month to invite football fans and blood donors to join our lifesaving team and score big for patients in need. As a special thankyou to donors for helping address the need for blood during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give through Jan. 26, 2025, will be automatically entered for a chance to win an exciting Super Bowl LIX giveaway. The trip includes access to day-of in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare, threenight hotel accommodations (Feb. 7-10, 2025), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/ SuperBowl.
answer, “It’s from a town called Hugoton.” I laughed again and said, well, that’s only 33 miles from my hometown. I asked if he knew who the company was and he said, “Cimarron Cove Crafts, by Ron and Barbara Anderson.” While walking down another aisle, I instantly spotted some lollipops and I said I know where those are from; those are from Vilas, CO. I have actually been and watched those be made. This town is less than two hours away
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in January:
Taney County
• Forsyth - 1/10/2025: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Elks Lodge, 12951 U.S.-160 Branson - 1/17/2025: 12-5 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 202 Vaughn Drive Stone County
• Reeds Spring1/22/2025: 3-7 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 9113 E. State Highway 76 Kimberling City1/23/2025: 12-4 p.m., Table Rock American Legion #637, 2 Woodland Ave.
from my hometown.
So you see, you can find so many treasures within your own town of shopping. And in this case, bringing a little of the “home” to me.
Brian not only gives from his store, but he also donates blood. On January 17, 2025, he will donate again and with that donation, he will become a ‘Ten Gallon Donor.’ Brian feels that God has given him the ability to donate. He has a rare type of blood that can be used universally. It’s a special
accomplishment according to the American Red Cross and one that all donors should be proud of. Brian would like to invite you to join him by joining a blood drive near you, as it saves lives!
Please check out the store located at the Branson Meadows at 4720 N. Gretna Rd. The store is open yearround, seven days a week. You may call at 417-3368721, check on Facebook or at the website: mitusageneralstore.com
cats and some other dogs, and is ready to become your new best friend. Thanks to a PetFinder grant, we’re offering $900 worth of goodies and support to his future adopter, his adoption fee is covered, too! Don’t miss out ! CALL THE SHELTER
Brian donating items to Jay Scribner and the Berean Liberty Foundation (Photo submitted by Brian Karn)
Seitz (FILE)
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
Branson resident Brian Seitz was recently elected to the position of State Representative for District 156 for the third consecutive term.
As he headed back to the State Capitol, Seitz shared his thoughts with the Branson Globe.
“First and foremost, I’m thankful to the citizens of the 156th District for electing me to a third term,” said Seitz. “The knowledge and experience I have gained over the first two terms are invaluable to getting good legislation passed. It takes 82 votes to pass a bill. The past four years have allowed me to build relationships with fellow legislators to
State Representative Brian Seitz shares his thoughts as he begins third term in office
get bills passed to the benefit of the district and our entire state. I’ve noticed a distinct difference in the ability to influence issues, and people, in the Capitol.
Longevity is a leadership position, so to speak, as more representatives look to you for advice in crafting legislation, navigating the committee process and how to present their issues on the House floor.”
Representative Seitz shared what he believes have been his greatest achievements in his previous two terms in office.
“Two of the major pieces of legislation of mine that the governor signed were the Small Business Protection Act and also getting $6.2 million for Branson’s infrastructure needs. I also drafted and helped pass the Save Women’s Sports Act,” noted Seitz. “As the Chairman of the Special Committee on Tourism, I was pleased that in my com-
mittee, both Republican and Democrat Representatives, worked together to pass good legislation with zero no votes (up to the last day). That is almost unheard of, considering the divide between the parties.”
Seitz has a lot on his plate, moving into his third term in office.
Said Seitz, “I will be taking the lead on chipping away at Amendment Three, which allows for abortion up to nine months, and takes away protections for women. Voters were deceived by the marketing of this amendment and the legislature needs to take action to protect both women and the unborn. House Bill 194 and a House Joint Resolution that I have filed will amend the definition of ‘fetal viability’ to include when a heartbeat is detected, protecting the child from abortion from that point on. While I believe that life begins at conception, we have
to put something before the voters that will pass. I have filed legislation protecting life from conception as well, and will continue to champion that, both in this session and in the future.”
Each new session presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities, and Seitz is prepared for what this term will hold.
“As Republicans, we have to work together within our super majority to get various pieces of legislation passed. Fractures within our own party will derail those efforts, giving the other side undeserved victories,” Seitz explained. “My hope is that, as a legislature, we can work to pass strong, conservative legislation that will benefit our entire state. I will continue to fight for the needs of the 156th District. I’m often involved in the big fights that take place statewide, but want to use that bully pulpit to narrowly focus on Southwest Missou-
ri area needs, and for us, that means tourism. In the next few weeks, you will hear some fantastic announcements to that end!”
As he has always done, Seitz allows his faith and beliefs to guide him in office as he shared, “As a Christian, every stance I take on an issue flows through a biblical worldview. As a former pastor and a teacher of the Bible for over 36 years, I think that I mirror the values of this area and the majority of my constituents. The admonition to ‘Do unto others’ serves me well in finding areas of commonality with fellow legislators, while adamantly opposing viewpoints contrary to my faith.”
Brian gave a brief update on his life at home in Branson.
“My wife Valerie, who went through numerous trials over the past couple of years, specifically dealing with cancer, is doing well and continues to be blessed
WonderWorks Branson launches first-ever Sensory Night: A
Submitted to Branson Globe
In an effort to provide a comfortable yet fun atmosphere for those who need it, WonderWorks Branson is excited to offer their first-ever Sensory Night at the famous upside-down house.
The event will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with tickets only $15, plus tax, at the door. Guests can enjoy an altered environment that maintains all the building’s fun and exploration while
eliminating factors that may be over-stimulating.
“We strive to make sure as many people as possible can take advantage of events like Sensory Days here at WonderWorks, so we’re looking forward to hosting our first evening sensory night this month!” said Tim Church, education sales manager at WonderWorks Branson. “This is a great opportunity for everyone to experience the wonder of WonderWorks in a calmer environment.”
During the special period, WonderWorks Branson’s exhibits will be altered to reduce the sensory input they provide, making them more comfortable for those with special needs. In ad-
dition to lowered music in the facility, the loud exhibits will be turned off, and the Inversion Tunnel will not be running. Such alterations will help to create a safe environment where everyone can enjoy their visit and make memories without feeling overwhelmed.
by God in her recovery,” said Seitz. “Our grown children and young grandchildren are all doing well. The grandkids are a particular joy. We are blessed that our son Daniel and his family are back in Missouri.”
Daniel Seitz, who recently moved back to Missouri from Oklahoma, is the new Chief of Staff for Senator Brad Hudson.
“The next two years will be pivotal for the state. With myself in the House of Representatives and Brad Hudson in the Senate, much can be accomplished for this area,” Seitz noted. “In two years, God willing, I will run for this position a final time, so this is the halfway point in my legislative career. My voice as an advocate for the 156th District has been loud, something necessary in a state government dominated by big city representation. I look forward to continuing the fight, both now, and in the future.”
unique experience for all
limited supply and are first come, first served.
A second Sensory Day is scheduled for midday Sunday, March 2, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those who cannot make the first evening event may want to put the second one on their calendar now and plan ahead so they don’t miss out on all the fun. More information about Sensory Days can be found online at, https:// www.wonderworksonline. com/branson/sensory-days/
Thursday in January 2025. The special rate is not valid on Friday and Saturday evenings and cannot be combined with other promotions and discounts. After Dark tickets can be purchased online only.
This sensory-friendly event is the perfect opportunity for local families, schools and special education programs to join in on the fun. Guests will have a chance to explore many hands-on exhibits, learn something new, and make lasting memories together. In addition, WonderWorks loans out noise-canceling headphones for guests who may need them during both sensory events and regular operating hours. They are in
Another new offering at WonderWorks for the month of January is the After Dark ticket. When taking on the After Dark adventure, guests will get to experience all the same interactive fun at a discounted price. These tickets are only $16, plus tax, when visiting after 6 p.m. on Sunday through
“Whether you’re looking for something fun to do with the family after work or wrapping up the weekend with a quick activity, the After Dark ticket at WonderWorks is the way to go! This is a limited-time offer to kick off the new year, so don’t miss out!” said Brenda Dent, general manager at WonderWorks Branson. The over 100 interactive exhibits at WonderWorks Branson have been designed to give guests a way to learn in a fun and memorable way. They also offer STEM and STEAM activities and events throughout the year. WonderWorks Branson is open from 10 am to 9 pm daily this winter. To get more information or purchase tickets, visit the site: https://www.wonderworksonline.com/branson.
Parks & Rec offers family events Feb. 8 Bransonmo.gov
The Branson Parks & Recreation Department will host two memorable events, Father Daughter DiscoGLOW Dance Party and Mom and Son RockN-Roller Skate Party, on Saturday, February 8, celebrating the special connections between parents and their children.
Mom and Son Rock-NRoller Skate Party, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at SkateWorld, 100 Truman Drive, with skating, games and pizza. Whether seasoned skaters or beginners, all participants are welcome. The Father Daughter DiscoGLOW Dance Party, Branson RecPlex, 1501 Branson Hills Parkway, 7 to 9 p.m., with music, games, food and drinks. Space is limited, so reserve your spot at the Branson RecPlex or online at https://secure.rec1.com/MO/ branson-mo/catalog. The cost is $12 per person. Call 417-335-2368 for more info.
(Photo submitted)
Reader’s Corner: January fun for kids at Kimberling Area Library
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer
During the typically slower winter months for tourism and outdoor activ-
ities in the Branson and Table Rock Lake areas, it can be hard to keep children challenged and engaged
with worthwhile learning activities, but area libraries are available to help!
Kimberling Area Library is excited to offer several fun, educational events this month: Monday, January 13, “Snowman Story Time”
- Games, songs and crafts, geared toward children ages 7 and younger, but all ages welcome.
• Monday, January 20, “Snow Much Fun”Part of the Library’s regular Baby & Me pro-
gramming held the third Monday of each month, this session is especially for children 0 to 23 months, but all ages are welcome.
• Monday, January 27, “Story Time with The Butterfly Palace” – A
special event with fun crafts for all ages!
All events are FREE for attendees and begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Library, 45 Kimberling Blvd. in Kimberling City. Visit www.kalib.org for more information about regular
children’s programming and other educational and fellowship opportunities. Also, mark your calendar for a special “Take Your Child to the Library” event planned for Saturday, February 1 (see article on this page).
Spanish Storytime to be offered at Library Center of the Ozarks
SUBMITTED BY ESSY DAY, Library Center of the Ozarks
The Library Center of the Ozarks is proud to partner with the Branson Public School District to provide a Spanish Storytime. On the second Saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m., Bran-
son’s English Language Team and high school students will offer a storytime and crafts for elementary-aged kids at the library. Books will be read in English and Spanish. The children will also receive a copy of the book to take home and keep.
Dr. DeAnna Sheets, Director of Curriculum, Assessment & Federal Programs, explained, “This opportunity has been made possible by our wonderful EL team as well as funds from the Silver Dollar City Foundation Hope Grant. We look forward to
helping more families connect with our local library.” Library Director Essy Day said, “We are excited to work with the Branson School District and offer this unique storytime. Collaborations such as this benefit the whole community.”
The first program will be on Saturday, January 11, from 10:30 – 11:30, at 200 S. 4th Street, Branson. Translation services will be available to help families register for library cards. For more information, visit the library’s website, LCOzarks.com, follow the library on Facebook and Instagram (lcozarks) or call the library at 417-334-1418. [Editor’s Note: There is an announcement about this program, in Spanish, on our Around Town page, 12A in this issue.]
Kimberling Area Library invites community to ‘Take Your Child to the Library Day’
bles and other activities.
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer
On Saturday, Febru -
ary 1, 2025, Kimberling Area Library will offer a special children’s event as part of “National Take Your Child to the Library Day.” From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., families are invited to join KAL for a special time of reading, playing, making friends and learning more about all the Library has to offer. A special highlight will be a 45-minute performance by Marty the Magician, starting at 10:30 a.m. in the Library Community Room. Marty is a popular event and party guest across the Midwest, and library audiences always enjoy his repertoire of reading- and bookthemed special tricks!
Stephanie Callahan, Owner/Lightspeed Electrical
Those of us who grew up before the internet can likely close our eyes and picture the excitement of “library day” in elementary school, or a summer walk to the local public library, for the adventure of pawing through the shelves for new books, or possibly continuing
an enjoyable children’s series if the last borrower had returned the one we were waiting to read.
Most of us did our junior high and high school research papers by becoming intimately acquainted with the slightly musty-smelling card catalog and the Dewey Decimal System.
Now that almost everything is available online, today’s children will be deprived of such fond sensory memories, unless we are intentional about cultivating them! Created
in 2011 by Nadine Lipman and Caitlin Augusta to promote better reading habits and responsibility while engaging in making memories with children, Take Your Child to the Library Day is now observed the first Saturday in February annually by libraries around the nation.
While the need for card catalogs and waiting for library day have certainly changed with technology, the magic of finding adventures has not! Along with books, families can enjoy puzzles, train ta -
“Each area library offers unique, fun things,” said Abbey Everett, children’s Library volunteer at KAL. “We want to make sure families know the wonderful activities available.”
KAL is open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, a plus for families whose work week doesn’t permit visiting on weekdays.
Kimberling Area Library services are available to area residents within a 25-mile radius of the Library’s location, 45 Kim -
Lightspeed Electrical: Wine and cheese
We all know that wine and cheese get better with age, right? Unfortunately, your home’s electrical wiring does not improve with age. Wire and components break down and deteriorate from years of carrying electrical current, making them more of a fire hazard.
Here are some clues that your home needs some electrical upgrades:
• TWO-PRONG OUTLETS. The presence of ungrounded two-prong outlets indicates that the age of your wire is pre-1965. In addition to the lack of grounding in older wiring, deterioration is a problem.
Over time, the insulative sheath (cloth or plastic) becomes brittle and crumbles away, melts through from overheating, or has been chewed through by rodents.
• FUSE BOX. If your home’s main electrical box has circular fuses instead of rectangular breakers that reset, you are relying on a system that was phased out in the 1960s. Your main electrical distribution center (panel or fuse box) works nonstop for 24 hours a day and takes a lot of silent wear and tear. Electrical panels only have a life expectancy of 25 years, so if your house
is older than 25 years, and you have never replaced the electrical panel, you should be preparing to replace it soon for numerous safety reasons.
berling Blvd. Don’t have a card yet? No problem; library volunteers will be on hand for sign-ups at the February 1 event. Just bring an ID or piece of mail identifying your residence within the service area. Children can also get their own card, an additional way to help them feel special.
Learn more about the Library at www.kalib. org; learn more about Marty the Magician for your own special event by visiting www.MartytheMagician.com.
If your home’s wiring is getting up there in age, give the team at Lightspeed a call at 417-239-5050.
Branson Public Schools announce retirement of Superintendent Swofford
The Branson R-IV School District announces the retirement of Superintendent Dr. Brad Swofford, effective June 30, 2025.
Dr. Swofford has spent his entire career in the Branson School District since 1995, when he was hired as a history teacher and coach, followed by assistant principal, and then principal at Branson Junior High. He advanced to assistant superintendent in 2009, and stepped into the role of superintendent in January 2016. Under his leadership, the district saw improvements in teacher recruitment and retention, advanced facilities, and mission-focused student success.
He holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, a Master of Educational Administration from Missouri State University, and a Bachelor of Science in History from Missouri State University.
Beyond his district leadership, Dr. Swofford has contributed to educational advancement through his service on the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) Board of Directors, as well as through his membership with the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). Community affiliations include the Branson-Hollister Rotary Club, Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB, CoxHealth-Branson board member, and Skaggs Foundation board member.
The Board of Education accepted Dr. Swofford’s resignation during an executive session of the January 6 board meeting. Dr. Swofford will continue to serve the district until his retirement on June 30, 2025.
Hollister School District announces students of the month for January
The Hollister R-V School District is proud to recognize four outstanding students as the January Students of the Month. These students were celebrated for their academic achievements, leadership qualities and positive contributions to their school communities at the January Board of Education meeting. The honored students are: Claire Martin, kindergarten at Hollister Early Childhood Center
Liliana Sarkisyan, second grade at Hollister Elementary School
Landri Johnson, seventh grade at Hollister Middle School
Lucas Nelson, senior at Hollister High School
Hollister R-V School District announces Kaitlyn Stitt as new Director of Special Services
The Hollister R-V School District is pleased to announce that Mrs. Kaitlyn Stitt has been selected as the new Director of Special Services, effective July 1, 2025. Mrs. Stitt will assume the role following the transition of the current Special Services Director Dr. Kristina Smith to her new position as Hollister High School Principal.
Mrs. Stitt brings a wealth of experience and a deep com-
Stay in Touch with Hollister Schools
mitment to supporting all students. She began her teaching career in Hollister in 2019, serving as a special education teacher at Hollister Elementary School and the Early Childhood Center. Most recently, she has worked as a process coordinator for the district. Before coming to Hollister, Mrs. Stitt taught Early Childhood Special Education in Kansas, and she has a total of 12 years of experience in education.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Early Childhood Special Education. Among her accolades, Mrs. Stitt was honored as Teacher of the Month during her time in Hollister.
As she looks ahead to the 2025–2026 school year, Mrs. Stitt shared her goals for the department: “My short-term goal is to continue growing the success of our special education department by providing individualized support that meets each student’s unique needs. Long-term, my focus is on promoting independence, academic achievement, and social-emotional growth while celebrating the incredible achievements of our students.”
Mrs. Stitt resides in Hollister with her family and is deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the district. “I am truly thankful to be part of the Hollister Tiger family and to raise my family in this wonderful community,” she said. Hollister School District honors teacher and staff members of the month for January
The Hollister R-V School District is proud to announce the recognition of outstanding staff members at the January Board of Education meeting. Each month, the district celebrates the hard work and dedication of its teachers and staff members who go above and beyond to make Hollister a great place to learn and grow.
For January, the district proudly recognizes:
Teacher of the Month: Hannah Bettlach, Special Education Teacher for Hollister Elementary
School
Staff Member of the Month: Zac Beasley, Custodian for Hollister High School
Mrs. Bettlach has been with the district for seven years and has served children with special needs in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Zac Beasley, a custodian at Hollister High School, consistently goes above and beyond to care for both the school building and the people in it.
College of the Ozarks to rebroadcast Fall Convocation with Jenna Bush Hager
College of the Ozarks is excited to announce the rebroadcast of the Leonard B. and Edith Gittinger Fall Convocation, featuring Jenna Bush Hager, available online from Jan. 13 to Feb. 3, 2025.
Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of NBC’s TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, best-selling author, and humanitarian, delivered an inspiring presentation on Oct. 10, 2024, in The Howell W. Keeter Athletic Complex at College of the Ozarks. The event, moderated by nationally acclaimed journalist and C of O professor Erin Hayes-Dennis, was themed “Reflections on Life in the White House.”
Hager shared heartfelt stories and lessons from her time in The White House, her career, and her personal journey as
Branson School District QR codes
a mother and advocate for global causes. She captivated the audience with her reflections on faith, family and service, offering words of wisdom and encouragement to students and attendees alike.
Access the replay at https://www.cofo.edu/Jenna-Bush-Hager and enjoy this inspiring event from the comfort of your home.
Open house scheduled for new Table Rock Career Center
Reeds Spring Schools is excited to announce the open house for the new Table Rock Career Center.
Open house will be held Wednesday, January 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Table Rock Career Center (20287 State Highway 413 in Reeds Spring).
This special event will give guests the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facility and learn about the programs designed to prepare students for successful careers. Students will give tours, and staff members will be on hand to answer questions and share how the center is helping to shape the future of workforce education.
Table Rock Career Center serves students from 11 school districts in Stone, Taney, and Christian counties. It offers 12 career and technical education programs.
Reeds Spring School District invites community to shape ‘Vision 2030’
Reeds Spring Schools is calling on passionate parents and community members to help shape the district’s future by collaborating on action plans for its new strategic plan, Vision 2030.
The district will host a strategic plan kickoff meeting on Tuesday, January 14, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Middle School Auditorium.
During the meeting, the district will present the new strategic plan. Attendees will then divide into groups to begin developing action steps to bring the plan to life.
“If you are passionate about the growth and progress of our school district, please plan to attend on January 14,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Travis Kite.
The strategic plan is the result of a three-day planning session held December 10-12, involving approximately 30 district representatives and community leaders. During these sessions, the committee reviewed the district’s beliefs, parameters and mission—essential foundations that will guide decisions and actions over the next several years. The team also created new strategies that will shape the district’s priorities through 2030.
Wolves keep busy over break
Students were out of school for two weeks, but Reeds Spring athletes stayed busy. The girls wrestling team competed at the Lady Viking Holiday Tournament in Springfield. Lindsey Keithley won the 145-pound weight class and Blaiklee Cagle won the 170-pound title. At the Nixa Tournament, Skylea Sherer placed second in the 115-pound weight class.
The boys wrestling team hosted Osage on December 17, falling 55-24. Winners for the Wolves included Kadyn Allerton at 144, Miles Hodges at 150, Marshall Loftin at 175, and Bobbee Carlile at 190.
The boys basketball team competed in the Blue and Gold Tournament in Springfield. The Wolves lost to Greenwood 75-50 and to Miller 66-39. Brody Pettigrew scored 14 points against Greenwood and Jayden Turner scored 13 against Miller. In late December, RSHS also lost to Mt. Vernon 59-39 and beat Clinton 57-54 in overtime.
The Lady Wolves competed in the Pink and White Tournament in Springfield. They lost to Ozark 65-36 and to Greenwood 43-40. In the Greenwood game, Kylie Fitzwater and Illyssa Finney-Allen each scored 12 points. In other December games, RSHS lost to Crane 50-42 and to Hillcrest 57-34.
Dr. Swofford (Photo submitted)
FRONT: Sarkisyan, Martin; BACK: Johnson, Nelson (Photo submitted)
Stitt (Photo submitted)
Bettlach with BOE member Evan Bradley (Photo submitted)
Beasley (Photo submitted)
Reeds Spring wrestlers Keithley (left) and Cagle (right) (Photo submitted)
Bliss, Richard Earl 75 Branson Cremations of the Ozarks
Braden, Charles R. “Chuck” 64 Bradleyville Snapp-Bearden Forsyth Chapel Creson, Kelly William 59 Branson Cremations of the Ozarks Curtis, LoRIta 86 Springfield Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory DeGroot, Joyce E. 88 Nixa Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory Dowse, Raymond Duane 82 Hollister Cremations of the Ozarks Howard, Michael Alan 52 Stumpff Funeral Home, Crane
Jeschke, James “Jim” 59 Hollister Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory
Martinez, Michael E. 79 Golden Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory
Mitchell, Edward Joseph 78 Branson Cremations of the Ozarks
Smith, Robin 57 Branson Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory
Spence, Michael Alan 65 Branson West Cremations of the Ozarks
Stephens, William Edwin 69 Reeds Spring Stumpff Funeral Home, Kimberling City
Swain, Larry Burton 85 Cremations of the Ozarks
Voss, Pansy Irene 76 Kimberling City Cremations of the Ozarks
College of the Ozarks presents highlights of 2024 – a year in review
Submitted to Branson Globe
As we welcome 2025, we also celebrate the accomplishments of our hardworking students, faculty and staff at College of the Ozarks in 2024. Highlights included exciting trips, important conversations, and inspiring events and honors that enriched the student experience at Hard Work U.
Below are some of C of O’s top stories from 2024. College of the Ozarks Dairy receives No. 1 College Dairy Farm in ranking from Holstein Association USA, February 2024
The W. Alton Jones Dairy at College of the Ozarks earned a first-place ranking among colleges and universities by Holstein Association USA in January 2024. C of O also ranked second in Missouri and third in Region 7. Dairy Manager Ryan Bilyeu credits hardworking students for the honor, citing their attention to detail in taking on responsibilities that include managing the herd and processing milk weekly for distribution across campus. College of the Ozarks hosts Jim Denison and Honorable Mike Huckabee for forum on Israel, April 2024
The Annual Spring Forum at College of the Ozarks featured a conversation on Israel presented by Dr. Jim Denison, cultural theologian and founder and CEO of Denison Ministries, and The Honorable Mike Huckabee, 44th governor of Arkansas.
The conversation included an analysis of the current crisis following the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, in light of Israel’s history, as well as current sentiment toward Israel in the United States.
Other highlights included a prelude by the College of
the Ozarks Concert Band, presentation of the Friend of Israel Award to Sherry Herschend, and presentation of a 250-year-old Torah scroll to Ken and Barbara Larson. Investment and impact: An Alaskan excursion with College of the Ozarks, Summer 2024
Sixty guests enjoyed a breathtaking Alaskan cruise through the College’s new travel program.
The trip brought together like-minded individuals to learn more about the College and experience God’s creation together. Highlights
included whale watching, national park visits, a train ride through Alaska, and a salmon bake.
“With 60 guests on this journey, we hosted folks from all walks of life who share one common thread: They love Hard Work U. and the values it espouses.
” – C of O President Brad Johnson College of the Ozarks Hosts Jenna Bush Hager, humanitarian and best-selling author, for fall convocation, Oct. 10
Best-selling author, “TODAY Show” co-host and humanitarian Jenna Bush Hager participated in a conversation on life in the White House for the Leonard B. and Edith Gittinger Convocation at College of the Ozarks.
Concert Band and a presentation of our national anthem by Mary Milliben.
“Power is used to serve; power is used to help others. What is driving our country apart is that you cannot sit across from people that have different opinions from you and have a conversation with them. You students here at College of the Ozarks need to be the generation to change this.”
– Author and television host
Jenna Bush Hager
C of O honors Missouri’s First Lady, Teresa Parson, with first annual Ozarks Women in Leadership (OWL) Award, October 2024
Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson received the first annual Ozarks Women in Leadership (OWL) Award during the Ozarks Women in Leadership luncheon at College of the Ozarks.
In addition to her experiences in the White House, Hager also spoke about the importance of humility and service. She encouraged students at Hard Work U.to make an impact on our nation and the world.
Hager and C of O President Brad Johnson presented the Legacy Award to General Terrence A. Dake. The convocation also included a musical prelude by the College of the Ozarks
The luncheon took place at the Keeter Center on the C of O campus. The award recognizes women whose leadership has a positive impact on the lives around them and aligns with the College’s values. Select female students also received the OWL scholarship for their academic excellence and leadership.
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
JANUARY
• 10 American Red Cross Blood Drive: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Lake Taneycomo Elks Lodge 2597 in Forsyth: 12951 U.S. Hwy. 160. For more information, redcrossblood.org
• 10 Malt & Barrel Brewing Co.: Friday night trivia, 8-9:30 p.m. Join us every Friday at Malt & Barrel for trivia night at 8 p.m.! Fun themes, great beer and good company. Gather your team and test your knowledge. It’s free to play, so come for the laughs and stay for the challenge! 225 Cross Creek Blvd., Ste. G, Branson. For more information, Malt & Barrel Brewing Co. Facebook page. 11 Dogwood Canyon Nature Park: Don’t miss this opportunity to see these majestic birds up close and learn their conservation story. Join presenters from Dickerson Park Zoo for an informative talk and encounter with a bald eagle and other birds of prey, from 1-2 p.m. Free with general admission ticket or membership pass. 2038 W. State Hwy 36, Lampe. https://dogwoodcanyon.org/event/ eagles-of-north-america-4/2024-12-14/ 11 Jukebox Winos: Bear Creek Wine Co. & Brewery, 5-8 p.m. Local wine and craft beer, pizza, sandwiches and desserts at this rustic shabby-chic gem nestled in the hills just 10 miles north of Branson: 1320 Keithley Road, Walnut Shade. For more information: www. jukeboxwinos.com and www.bearcreekwinecompany.com; 417-443-0036 11 Stiff Drink performs at Malt & Barrel, 7-9 p.m. Don’t miss Stiff Drink’s first performance at Malt & Barrel at 7:00ish! This acoustic trio plays the best of ‘90s music. Grab a pint and enjoy a nostalgic night of live music! 225 Cross Creek Blvd., Ste. G, Branson. For more information, Malt & Barrel Brewing Company Facebook page.
& Instagram pages. 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 29 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, Michael Mayo Comedy Hypnosis, Michele’s Floral & Gifts, Nashville Roadhouse Live, Peggy’s Rock Shop, Pierce Arrow, Premier Dance Academy, The Red Garter, Signs NOW, Stevie Lee Woods, Sunfest Market, Sun Theater, Sweet Shack Branson, Sweet Suzie’s Frozen Treats, The Rogue Chef Branson.
*For more info, on being a guest, or, a sponsor, call Carrie Anne at: 573-795-1921.
13 Kimberling Area Library: Snowman Sto-
ry Time at 10:30 a.m. Games, songs and crafts (children 7 or younger but all ages welcome). Event is free to attendees. 45 Kimberling Blvd., Kimberling City.
16 Learn Hands-Only CPR for free. Be prepared to save a life. Rotary Club of Hollister and Taney County Ambulance are partnering to save lives and invite you to invest one hour, starting at 9 a.m., Taney County Ambulance District, 106 Industrial Park Drive, Hollister. Park behind building, enter through rear door marked education. Hands-only CPR can buy precious time to save a life until trained medical personnel arrive. About 40 people each hour have a cardiac arrest while not in the hospital (350,000 a year) and nine out of ten of those individuals will not survive. Register at https://hollisterareachamberofcommerce.growthzoneapp.com/
• 18 Jukebox Winos: LIVE MUSIC, at TAPS on Downing Street, 6-8 p.m. Singer-songwriter round featuring Nashville recording artist Kristen Budde! Enjoy 24 craft beers and cider on tap, local wines, and Hook And Ladder’s Pizza truck
is on site. TAPS is located at 260 Birdcage Walk, Hollister. For more information, www.jukeboxwinos.com, www.tapsondowning.com, www. kristenbuddemusic.com, 417-544-0610.
• 20 Kimberling Area Library: Baby & Me - Snow Much Fun, 10:30 a.m. (children 0-23 mo. but all ages welcome). Event is free to attendees. 45 Kimberling Blvd., Kimberling City. 25 Branson Dance Club monthly dance, 7-9:30 p.m. $10 per person admission. Music by Mister D & Bonita. Coffee, tea and water provided. Bring a snack or appetizer for the food table. Shine up those dancing shoes and come on out. 201 Compton Drive, Branson. The Branson Dance Club dances are the 4th Saturday of every month with the exception of May and December - May 17 and December 20. We don’t want the dances to conflict with holiday weekends. Thanks for your support. For more information, 417-546-0251.
• 26 Malt & Barrel Brewing Co: Paint with a Pint class, Cozy Penguin Edition, 2-4 p.m.! Create a wintery penguin painting with step-by-step guid-
5:20, 7:30 MOANA 2 W 1:00, 3:20, 5:20, 7:30
DEN OF THIEVES 2: PANTERA R 1:00, 4:15, 7:20
ance. $35 includes supplies and your first pint. Reserve your spot today! 225 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite G, Branson. For more information, Malt & Barrel Brewing Co. Facebook page.
• 27 Kimberling Area Library: Story time with The Butterfly Palace, 10:30 a.m. A special event with crafts for all ages. Event is free for attendees. 45 Kimberling Blvd., Kimberling City.
31 Jukebox Winos: LIVE MUSIC, 6-8 p.m., Cellar 417. 15038 Bus. Hwy. 13, Branson West. We play favorite covers plus original music! Enjoy fresh seasonal dishes from small shareable plates to dinner specials. Scratch kitchen. Large selection of wines, beers, cocktails, full bar, cozy restaurant seating. Gorgeous lake view. Reservations encouraged: www.cellar417.com, 865223-5527. For more information: www.jukeboxwinos.com.
FEBRUARY
• 1 Kimberling Area Library special Saturday event, 10:30 a.m., as part of national “Take Your Child to the Library Day” aimed at inviting families to read, play, make friends and have fun while discovering library resources. The local Library’s event will be free for a unique magic performance by Marty the Magician and related other activities. The library invites all families, children of all ages, and friends for the morning session beginning at 10:30 am.
• 1 Taney County FREE Community Baby Shower, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. OACAC, Home State Health, CAM and Revealz Ultrasound are hosting a FREE community baby shower for pregnant mothers and those with babies six
weeks or younger. RSVP required: Register with Sundii Schafer at schafer@oac.ac. Light lunch provided. Event will be held at the CAM/Christian Action Ministries location, 2400 Historic Hwy. 165, Branson. Free items: health and safety items; groceries; ultrasound for pregnant Moms; diapers and wipes; raffles for items; clothing closet. Community resources will also be available. For more information, contact Sundii Schafer, 417-942-9854.
• 27 Learn Hands-Only CPR for free. Be prepared to save a life. Rotary Club of Hollister and Taney County Ambulance are partnering to save lives and invite you to invest one hour, starting at 9 a.m., Taney County Ambulance District, 106 Industrial Park Drive, Hollister. Park behind building, enter through rear door marked education. Hands-only CPR can buy precious time to save a life until trained medical personnel arrive. Register at https:// hollisterareachamberofcommerce.growthzoneapp.com/
MARCH
• 20 Learn Hands-Only CPR for free. Be prepared to save a life. Rotary Club of Hollister and Taney County Ambulance are partnering to save lives and invite you to invest one hour, starting at 9 a.m., Taney County Ambulance District, 106 Industrial Park Drive, Hollister. Park behind building, enter through rear door marked education. Hands-only CPR can buy precious time to save a life until trained medical personnel arrive. Register at https://hollisterareachamberofcommerce. growthzoneapp.com/
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
Branson mourns the loss of a legendary entertainer with ties to the community.
Wayne Osmond, a part of the world-famous Osmond family, was the fourth of nine Osmond children and the second oldest among the family’s musical performers.
The Osmond Brothers— Wayne, along with Alan, Merrill and Jay—began their career in the 1950s. The quartet of brothers was later joined on stage by younger brother Donny. They got their big break in the mu-
sic business with help from Branson legend Andy Williams. After enjoying a stellar career, the four original Osmond Brothers settled in Branson, where their show was popular with the many music-lovers who traveled to the music mecca each year.
The Osmond’s tight family harmonies, combined with sibling antics and good-natured fun made them a favorite with motorcoach groups and individuals alike.
As word of Wayne’s passing spread, many of his peers and friends shared
their thoughts on the vocalist, musician and funnyman.
Wayne’s brother Merrill who confirmed his passing on Facebook, said, “I’ve never known a man that had more humility. A man with absolutely no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met.”
Said Brian Seitz, State Representative for District 156, “I was saddened by the passing of Osmond Brother Wayne Osmond. We only spoke on a few occasions
during their show run in Branson, but he was always cordial and humorous. He is missed.”
Terry Bledsoe added, “Always had a blast working with him over the years. One of the funniest human beings I’ve ever met. Condolences to the family. He will be missed.”
In a Facebook post, Connie Floray noted, “Wayne was just a sweetheart. He had a crazy sense of humor and an endless supply of jokes. One of the things I admired most about Wayne was his unwavering faith. And the fact that
no matter the physical issues he dealt with, he never complained about any of it. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
“I admired Wayne a lot and really enjoyed not only his singing, but how quick-witted he was,” said entertainer Randy Plummer. He contributed so much to the Osmond Brothers, and I will sure miss him.”
Branson’s Mike McAdoo shared his thoughts, via Facebook, stating, “You can’t play almost two thousand performances without
getting to know someone pretty well. Wayne was one of a kind. I hung out with Wayne and Jay more than any of the other brothers. Wayne always kept things light and didn’t talk a lot about serious stuff. I either had a new joke for him or he had one for me. One time, he did ask me a serious question that threw me at first. He said, ‘Mike, what was it like to grow up as a regular kid?’ The Osmonds, from the time they could speak and sing, were always on
SEE WAYNE OSMOND, PAGE 9B
pinion
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An Ole Seagull has to agree with one of his favorite Branson Mayors, Raeanne Presley, who, over 17 years ago, said, “In a city where Veterans and their families are so central to our core values, it is fitting that we have this permanent memorial honoring America’s military services in the center of our Historic Downtown District.” Those words were spoken by May-
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS Staff Writer
As family and school schedules settle into post-holiday winter routine this week, after a chilly start on Monday, several local and national organizations have called for focused emphasis on prayer. Many churches, including my local church, the one where my sons serve, and the larger denominational context, are holding special
The dark-haired boy is bent over blank white paper, black-and-red flannel obscuring a thin and insecure frame. His desk is dark brown, dark brown like his eyes, eyes like his father’s. The desk is handmade by his grandpa, impossible to scratch beneath layers of resin laminate. This is his father’s desk, an appropriated corner spot in the bedroom, framed by windows on two sides, old 1973 window screens letting in the late autumn air. High school,
This week’s column is written by Aaron Gravett. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Romans 12:15
Branson’s
or Presley during a special ceremony held in historic downtown Branson before the start of Branson’s Annual Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2008. The ceremony was to dedicate the first five commemorative squares of what was to be the Branson Star Walk (Walk), a significant tribute to those people and events that have contributed to the history, heritage and entertainment that has made Branson what it is today and America’s military services.
Those first five squares honored America’s military with one for each of the five military branches of service, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S.
Marine Corps.#1 Under an agreement between the Historic Downtown Branson Business Owners Association (HDBBO) and the City, the first five squares had to honor each branch of the U.S. Military. They were to be put on the four corners of Commercial and Main Street at the intersection in the heart of Branson’s historic downtown district. Under the agreement, the squares for all other honorees would have been placed south of the military commemorative squares on Commercial Street, but no other honorees have ever been declared under the agreement.
“But Seagull, other honorees aside, there are no
military commemorative squares at the intersection of Commercial and Main Street now.” “True, they were removed and moved to Patriot’s Park and set up against a wall during the Phase I of the Downtown Streetscape Project, which started in November 2014.”
“That was over 10 years and $9 million dollars ago. Do the plans for Phase IV and the expenditure of how many more millions contain a provision honoring our commitment to America’s military service by refurbishing the military commemorative squares, adding one for the Space Force, and reinstalling them at the intersection of Main and Commercial
Reflections: Pray, no matter what
in-person or online events this week; other groups are doing a 21-day prayer focus; some are intentionally praying between now and January 20 for a peaceful transition to a new Presidential administration. In sermons, newsletters, etc., regarding this prayer focus, several leaders have mentioned the example of Daniel in the Old Testament. When faced with the likelihood of the lions’ den, after jealous co-workers framed Daniel by creating a law for the unsuspecting King Darius to sign, Daniel didn’t stop to think about his response. Chapter 6, v. 10, tells us when Daniel heard about the law, he went to his chambers and prayed by the window facing Jerusalem, “just as
he had done before” (BSB). Some versions say, “as was his custom.” Consequences didn’t matter because he was, and continued to be, a person of prayer, and his confidence continued to be in the One who had already come through for him.
At that point, Daniel was already seeing the fulfilment of earlier biblical prophecy concerning Israel’s Babylonian captivity as foretold by Jeremiah. He knew God’s faithfulness throughout Israel’s history, and to his friends in the fiery furnace situation. He himself would also be entrusted with an angelic visit and even more prophetic revelation. He may not have known the details of how things would turn out, but he knew the
One who does know.
We can learn from Daniel. We have seen the power of prayer as tides turned in national politics. We are seeing God’s provision in Israel’s situation, even though it’s not over, and we continue to pray. Brave Christians who have dared to gather, worship and distribute God’s Word in spite of persecution are starting to experience breakthroughs in some locations, according to front-lines organizations and missions groups. Even as many still await God’s intervention, they’re praying and we can pray with them.
Here in the U.S., we are starting to see people disillusioned by wokeness and secularism; Bible sales are up significantly over the last
Street?” “Sadly, not that the Ole Seagull is aware of.”
“How can that be in Branson, Missouri, the ‘most patriotic city in America?’ The City that proudly wears the mantra of ‘Faith, Family, and Flag?’” “Who knows, but it makes no difference.
What’s important is that the most Patriotic City in America does not go on record as removing what it pledged as a “permanent memorial honoring America’s military services” from its honored position “in the heart of Branson’s Historic Downtown.”
#1 The United States Space Force was not founded until December 20, 2019.
year as many reach out for answers and solid ground. Prayer does change things! As we start to see those changes, now isn’t the time to quit praying! In the areas where we don’t see change yet, let’s pray even more fervently even as we thank God for progress we do see. This is a great time of year to set goals in prayer and Bible study; if you need encouragement, excellent resources and tools are available from the YouVersion app, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Bible Gateway, and many others. Some local churches are gearing up with new studies and prayer meetings; check with yours. Let’s use this January focus on prayer to make it an even more important part of our lives.
Been thinkin’ about...Going down to Egypt
home school, this is a desk of unwanted algebra and welcome classical literature and requisite Bible study and comforting U.S. history and biology with a heaping helping of Creationism, testimony to Christian homeschool, difficult pioneering in those 1990s’ of conformity.
Beyond, the cedar trees are caressed by cold winter blue skies, skies that portend change and loss at that time unimaginable. Despite the apparent chill, the air is yet warm, southern breeze gentle against the change. Strange chirping fills the air. The cedar waxwings uncharacteristically descend in clouds, magic in the morning air. Pen is placed to paper. Words appear.
Blank pages can be scary things, just as are blank canvases. There is such fear in getting something wrong. Omission is far safer. No one
You saw them—in church, at work, at the stores. Everything during the Christmas season was bright and cheery, but you saw them—the ones that seemed to not be able to smile, the ones that looked at the lights with no joy. Sometimes we’ve seen them and thought to ourselves, “They are just bah-humbugs” and waved them off like they don’t matter. Realize, it may not be a stony heart that caused this, but a broken heart.
will miss the art that we never create. But inaction is also an action, inescapable and troubling reality. We were, of course, meant to create, meant to say something, anything. To do less risks senescence, the ending of all things. Words are immortal beings. Our thoughts will outlive us all, even if simply as a hand-scrawled card mailed to a friend, stuffed in a desk, found decades later, all context lost. Sobering thought from the bright lights of the Hallmark aisle in the drug store. Don’t think too much about it or the overwhelm can drive you mad.
The cedar waxwings wing their bohemian way southward, south to a different land entirely. Little Egypt calls from the lintel spaces of my distant mind, a delta of dark black soil, rich in lore, rich in deep, dark nutrients, feeding for a nation growing
There are many reasons that the Christmas season and New Year can leave someone broken. They may have seen family get togethers that they weren’t a part of and maybe someone was missing this year from death. Maybe broken relationships with parents or children have caused someone to be alone or in the least, wishing for mended relationships. There are a myriad of reasons that someone can be broken. So, when you
fast. The soil smells different when the winter frost comes on, the smell of earth and ice and hope heavy on the air, hanging like fog and frost as the morning sun shines bright and cold over a world in passage. Earth moves beneath the feet, times change. The air — breath of life and time itself — hovers in the ether, over those forgotten and overlooked, those in places named for a sacred and ancient land. Thebes, Karnak, Cairo, Memphis, the humdrum of American infrastructure conceals the holy, holy behind the Phillips 66 truck stop sign.
Rivers cut deep in the dark soil, just as creeks cut down into the mountains, granite and limestone, mountains overlooking from the West, mountains with a spirit all their own, secrets embraced as the sun traces on, chariot of the sky. Steel tracks gleam
see someone struggling to smile, or turn away from festive times, it may be that they are on the verge of tears from hurting so much.
So how can we help? Pray for them, be there for them, and actually listen to them if they need to break down. It’s called the “ministry of presence.”
The Bible has much to say about true joy. It’s the joy that only Christ can give. Sometimes that joy comes from Christ through a believer that just lets another one know:
bright but the old railroad bridge at Thebes remains rusted and dark, haunted by too many passings. Stare too long at the great river here and you’ll shiver, seeing your own soul in the thick water as it boils shimmering over sandy shoal. This river is a graveyard, though now tamed we are told. Rivers and roads roll on, wheels toward the sun. That’s how the West was really won. The greenish white lights are too bright, and I squint as I stop for high-octane truck stop coffee. The bored clerk behind the counter turns the chicken tenders and egg rolls beneath the broiler light, red refracting silver of the Thor’s hammer bouncing over his wide chest. “You need anything?” No, just the coffee. God died a long time ago according to the philosophers of the last
I’m here. Sometimes the joy comes from mourning with them first. May this new year be filled with people seeing the hurt of others—praying for them, encouraging them, crying with them. May they know Christ truly cares for them through us.
If you are one that is hurting, let Christ heal your heart. Let Him just hold you! Let Him be with you also through someone else. Someone who is “Jesus with skin on.”
BY TIFFANY GRAVETT Staff Writer
Breakfast at Tiffany’s: This new year
BY JOSHUA HESTON StateoftheOzarks Media & Design
SEE JOSHUA HESTON, PAGE 3B
BY DAVE RAMSEY, CEO, Ramsey Solutions, and an eight-time No. 1 national best-selling author, and host of The Ramsey Show
Dear Dave, I can’t afford my stu-
BY HEATHER TANKERSLEY, REALTOR®, provides services for residential, commercial, land and lake properties in the Branson Tri-Lakes area.
W
hen you sell your house, ideally, you want it to go something like this: your house sells for top dollar, you get it sold quickly, and it all goes down without a hitch.
But what many people don’t realize is that even in today’s market where there are more buyers than homes for sale, there are still things that can cause delays or even keep a house from selling. According to Zillow, in 2024, as many as 1 in 3 sellers took their home off the market before it ultimately sold.
Dave Says: Honor your obligations
dent loan payments. Is the best approach to send them what I can afford, even if it’s not the minimum payment, or not send anything at all until I’m in a better financial position?
Sydney Dear Sydney, Here’s the deal. Those guys aren’t going to stop calling and bugging you, no matter which of those options you choose. But then, you probably already
know that. The benefit, however, of sending them $20 or $25—if the minimum payment is $50—is you’re forcing yourself to start thinking in terms of planning and living on a budget. My advice? Do everything you can to honor your commitments. That’s the moral, legal and spiritual thing to do in these kinds of situations.
You know, lots of times when people say they can’t
afford something, what they’re really saying is they don’t want to give up fun stuff in order to honor their obligations. If that’s the case, I’m not the guy you need to be talking to or want on your team. You accepted the responsibilities that came with borrowing money. That means if you don’t get to eat in restaurants, go on vacation or buy cool new gadgets until you repay the debt, that that’s how it is.
However, if you’re already living on a crazy-tight, rice and beans budget, and $20 is literally all you can squeeze out, then give them $20 a month. That way, at the very least, you’re trying to honor your obligation. And you can tell them with a clean conscience it really is all you can afford.
But there’s a bright spot in all this. If you’re already scrimping and saving and
Struggling to sell your house? Read this.
And while the reasons those houses didn’t sell are going to vary, there are some general themes that come through. If you’re having trouble getting your house sold, here are the top three hurdles that could be getting in the way, and how an expert agent can help you solve these issues.
1. Priced Too High
It’s no surprise that price plays a major role when you sell. And in today’s market, overpricing a home in a high-mortgage rate environment is the biggest thing keeping homes on the market longer than the norm. As. U.S. News Real Estate says:
“Talk to any real estate expert, and the first thing they’ll tell you is that a house is selling slowly because the price is too high.”
While it’s tempting to push the price higher to get more for your home, overpricing can really turn away potential buyers. It can also make your house sit on the market for far too
long. And the longer it sits, the more skeptical buyers will be that there’s something wrong, even if there isn’t.
Not to mention, buyers today have so many tools and resources to view homes in your area and compare prices. So, if your house is priced too high, you’ll risk driving away potential offers.
To find out if this is happening with your listing, talk to your agent about what they’re hearing at open houses and showings. If the feedback is consistent, it may be time to re-evaluate your asking price.
2. Not Freshened Up Before Listing
You only get one chance to make a great first impression on a buyer. That’s why sprucing up your house can be the difference between it selling or sitting.
First, take into account your home’s curb appeal. There may be easy ways you can clean up the land-
scaping to make it tidy, in viting, and really make an impact. As an article from Realtor.com notes:
“ . . . for better or worse, buyers do tend to judge a book by its cover. You want to make sure potential buy ers’ first impression of your home is a good one—and inspires them to stop by the open house or sched ule a tour—so they can see more.”
paying all the money you have—first toward running your household, then secondly to your creditors—you’ll find an amazing thing starts to happen. Your dollars start to stretch a little bit further. This will help you clean up your student loan mess and enable you to have a little better life in the process.
Good luck, Sydney. You can do this! — Dave
But don’t stop at the front door. Small touches like removing personal items, reducing clutter, and cleaning the floors give buyers more freedom to picture themselves in the home. And inexpensive upgrades like a fresh coat of paint or updated listing photos to match the current season can go a long way with that wow factor.
When in doubt, lean on your real estate agent for expert advice and whether you need a new game plan to close the deal.
3. Limited Access
Another big mistake you
can make as a seller is limiting the days and times that buyers can view your house. Because at the end of the day, if buyers can’t take a look around, your chances of selling decline — drastically.
And here’s something else to consider. No matter what type of market you’re dealing with, buyers from outside the area are often highly motivated, but they don’t have as much flexibility or time as those who are local. So, give your house the best visibility by making it available as much as possible.
From our readers: ‘who has authority over these nightly rentals?’
My family and I vacation to Branson several times a year. We are season pass holders for SDC. We have been visiting Branson for over a decade and have had wonderful experiences, until December 26, 2024. We stayed at the Timeless Memories Lodge #124 in Stonebridge. We booked the property through Sunset Nightly Rentals. The property cost of rental for a large group (20-plus) was about $1,700 for two nights. We
• JOSHUA HESTON
Continued from page 2B
century but here, in a world bereft of the sacred, the holy invades. Time out of space, time standing still in a world of gas prices and bad coffee and corn dogs, this place is, for a moment, a holy space, consecrated by the ticking of an unseen clock. I will buy a 12 dollar t-shirt and cut off the sleeves, cutting the shirt way down to the waist, blazing reminder I am no longer thin and insecure.
brought our family to celebrate our “cousin crew” Christmas, visited Dixie Stampede and SDC. By about 11:30 on the night of check-in Dec 26, most kids and adults were sleeping. I had picked up and was preparing for bed. As I laid down, I saw something crawling next to the 4-year-old in my bed. I smashed what I thought was a spider. When I lifted my hand, I noticed blood. I flipped on a bigger light and
could see that it was a bed bug. There were additional spots on the bed as well. I woke everyone up and we began to search the beds. Every bed in the 6-bedroom lodge has signs of bed bugs. Eggs, spots and live bugs were seen. I immediately contacted the emergency number for guest services through Sunset. Of course, they apologized and said my refund would be sent the following morning. However, there was no availability
for them to lodge us elsewhere. So, we had to pack and move everyone to a hotel. It was a nightmare.
I have called several times and spoke with the manager (Casey) trying to ensure that other guests were notified of what they were exposed to, attempting to speak with the owner (still being denied) as they say he is on vacation, and requesting pest control take care of the infestation. This is complete negligence
on the company. Casey informed me that the bugs must have come from the last guest, which is impossible unless that unit has set empty for months. She also informed me that her pest control guy went out to the property and did not find any signs of bed bugs. I have contacted the Health Department, and they stated that they do not have authority over these types of rentals, only hotels.
Line
deserve to check selling your house off your list of goals this year. So, if your house isn’t getting enough attention or your listing is getting stale, don’t be afraid to ask your trusted real estate agent how you can revamp your approach. It’s Your Move! I believe every homeowner should feel confident when selling a
So, my big question is, “who has authority over these nightly rentals?” Please let me know who I may contact in order to ensure this nightmare does not happen to anyone else and that Sunset Nightly Rentals is held accountable for their actions or lack thereof in this situation.
Thank you.
Rachael Netrefa Smithville, AR
The sunset is red through woodlot trees, scrubby elm mostly. Here, a brief, incisive winter sunset before the predicted storm of sleet and ice descends, darkening the sun-lost sky. A haunt of fox and crow, vole, and rabbit. Is this Missouri? The in-between where hardwood forest meets meadow, then prairie? A thousand sacred and unkempt spaces, a thousand places across states with names like Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois. All such woods are easy to overlook in this singular moment of sunset magic. Here, though, the southern mistletoe hangs like witch’s hair, tangling in the high along with black tendrils of fox grapes.
he has a beard streaked with white. This time, 200-some pounds of muscle balance his movements. The cedar waxwings were 30 years ago but they may appear again outside his window, next fall, as a soft southern wind gentles a winter sky.
The same dark-haired boy bends over blank white paper, pen poised. This time,
“Going down to Egypt,” he whispers to himself. And so it begins, all over again.
BY COWBOY JOHN
While in junior high, with a deep interest in Branson’s early history, my Grandpa Wallace Fullerton shared his memories of some terribly cold winters when he was a young man. I vividly recall the personal memories he shared of Lake Taneycomo freezing solid, and what I found impressive was that it happened several times. The first bridges to cross
BY BOB FORD,
the river connecting Branson and Hollister were in 1905— the railroad bridge and trestle, and in 1913—the giant steel bridge at the east end of Main Street for wagons and automobiles. It has been said that the river froze a few times in those years prior to the construction of Powersite Dam, before the bridges were constructed. If the ice was solid enough, a wagon and team could safely cross in the area where a ferry normally would.
Grandpa Wallace told me his memories of January 1940. He had just turned sixteen and a long period of below zero temperatures had everything frozen solid. “I remember a number of folks driving their cars out on the ice and they’d go all the way to Rockaway Beach and back,” he recalled.
that dream to paper in the 15th century designing several contraptions to get a person off the ground. The aerial screw, ornithopters, parachute and the glider can all be traced to drawings by this brilliant man.
Ballooning became the first practical way to get anything up and safely back.
I was curious to know just how thick was the ice for someone in their car to pull this off? Grandpa said, “Well, it was two feet or close to it. Branson and Hollister had hockey games several times when it froze like that.”
Looking through area photos, here are two rare ones courtesy of the Branson Centennial Museum, so let’s discuss them.
The 1937 photo is unique. The photographer is on the steel bridge at the east end of Main, and below we can clearly see skaters on the ice. Looking toward the shore I recognize at top center the Sadie H boat at the dock.
Now let’s check out the January 1940 photo. Here we have a Branson vs. Hollister hockey match. It was said that the ice was twenty inches thick, and hundreds of
thing alive in the air. Using a small basket, in went one sheep, who couldn’t jump, a rooster who could jump out but would not go very far, and a duck who could fly off whenever. After a short flight they all stayed in the basket, none worse for wear.
spectators watched the game! They lost track of the score in all the excitement, but it’s believed that Hollister won.
As we all know, Lake Taneycomo doesn’t freeze anymore since the completion of Table Rock Dam upstream in the late 1950s. Lake Taneycomo’s water temperature remains too warm, as it’s forty degrees-plus all the time due to water releases from Table Rock. This also keeps the current moving.
Warm wishes to everyone as we get through this January cold snap! Now you’ve seen photo proof of Lake Taneycomo frozen solid.
Happy trails, ya’ll!
TOP PHOTO: Skating in 1937; BOTTOM PHOTO: 1940 hockey match (Photos courtesy Branson Centennial Museum)
Writer, history buff and regular visitor to Branson. You can find more of Bob’s work including his historical podcasts on his website bobfordshistory.com. Bob can be reached at robertmford@aol.com. Look up in the sky, it’s a balloon!
If you love history, we are seeking ideas and sponsors to take this historic project to the next level. Podcasts, articles and https://youtube. com/@bobfordshistorymysterylore and bobfordshistory.com, check them out!
The freedom to fly like a bird has always been a quest of man.
Leonardo da Vinci put
Living in 1783 Paris, the Montgolfier brothers are considered the Yuri Gagarin of ballooning. Their family owned a paper manufacturing business where the brothers observed ashes from paper being burned rising. Off they went to work designing the first paper balloon using smoke as the propellant. What they didn’t realize, it was the heat that gave lift. After several prototype failures with a few successes involving different gasses and materials, the brothers moved on and were anxious to put some-
So says Becky Woodland, the Director of the National Balloon Museum and U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame in Indianola, Iowa.
OK, I’ll ask it: “What in the world is the National Balloon Museum and Hall of Fame doing in South Central Iowa?”
It seems in 1970 the National Hot Air Balloon Championship preliminaries were held in Indianola. It was such a success the Championship started taking place there every year. Participants needed a place to store their balloons and equipment, so boom, a museum was born.
after that triumph. Silk was found to be the right material for the ships, strong and light but expensive. Hot air replaced various gasses after several more catastrophes.
Napoleon was watching, too. He wanted to adapt this new technology into not only an observation post but an attack ship. Strapping bombs to the basket, this could be used as the first aerial assault vehicle in history. Nice idea, but it never got off the ground.
Of course, as with all great inventions, ballooning became better and safer, higher, faster and navigable to a point, too.
Back to Paris where the Montgolfier brothers were creating quite a stir. Now King Louis XVI was involved, and the next flight was scheduled to be at the Palace of Versailles with his court. The King thought the first person to defy gravity should be a condemned prisoner because then, it wouldn’t matter if it failed. Etienne Montgolfier would have none of it; up he went, becoming the first man in history to rise off the earth in a tethered balloon.
The “sport” moved quickly
The next war to significantly use ballooning was the U.S. Civil War. Each side had balloons but the Union’s development was more advanced. Mostly deployed for observation, there is a good photo of a balloon being inflated during the battle of Fair Oaks by famed photographer Mathew Brady. The situation has to be right in battle for a balloon, a siege or standoff where troops would be “dug in’’ for a duration is needed.
In World War I the balloon population multiplied for both the Allies and Axis powers. Trench warfare could establish stalemates for months. Reconnaissance was important to learn troop movements in advance of a possible attack.
Then along came the Zep-
pelin; as innovation continued, balloons now carried passengers from Europe to the United States and back, in what was thought to be a safe and luxurious fashion.
On May 6, 1937, that all changed. The Hindenburg airship was making its 35th trip across the Atlantic seeking to dock at Lakehurst, New Jersey. Having gone thousands of uneventful miles, hovering just 300 ft. over its docking birth, the great ship caught fire. Within one minute, the hovering craft was entirely engulfed by flames and crashed to earth. Thirty-five of the 97 passengers and crew on board were incinerated.
When you see the newsreel it’s hard to imagine how many actually escaped, “Oh, the humanity!”
What caused the Hindenburg to burst into flames?
No one knows for sure; gas leakage, an electrical discharge, or sabotage are all possibilities. It did end this transatlantic odyssey.
In 1940, London positioned balloons over the city as an air defense in the Battle of Britain. Some balloons were tethered together with cable to snag a low flying bomber. This may have happened a few times, but the balloons cause the Luftwaffe to drop their loads at a higher altitude influencing accuracy.
In times of peace, ballooning became a record seeking sport as higher, farther, faster continued.
Billionaire Steve Fossett, a commodity trader who no doubt loved risk, was the first person to circumvent the earth solo in an airplane and was an avid balloonist who held the world record for speed in a balloon at 61.7mph. He’s also in the Hall of Fame.
There are over 5,000 registered balloon pilots in the United States today, mostly for recreational use, except the Chinese!
From January 28 - February 4, 2023, a sophisticated
FULLERTON, a native of Taney County, and a member of the Sons of the Pioneers.
The author checks out a gondola for size. (Photo submitted by Bob Ford) PRODUCTION MANAGER’S NOTE: I went to college in Indianola and loved seeing the balloons hanging in the air. Go! You’ll love it!
BY LUANNA FULLERTON Entertainment Writer
At the beginning of the contest over 60 heartwarming applications were received. After a daunting task of narrowing it down to only six semi-finalist couples, it was accomplished, and now the contests with the remaining contestants are on to get to the winning couple. The winning couple will receive an all inclusive wedding and honeymoon package. How very exciting for the winning couple!
They will celebrate their memorable and beautiful day through winning with ‘Vows at The Venue Wedding Giveaway!’
The contestants will be on-air for three weeks, on nine different occasions, with three different stations. This will be the radio contest part of the games. They will be interviewed and share about themselves, so that the public can get to “know them” better.
The couples will also participate in a series of games (The Newlywed Game, Wedding Movie Trivia, etc.) each week to accumulate points. When all the games have concluded, the three lowest-scoring couples will be eliminated unfortunately.
Then, the final three couples will be voted on by the public, via social media
and our Vows at The Venue website. They would love for everyone to listen (or watch the interviews; they all stream live on Facebook), follow along and ultimately vote for their favorite couple!
The different partners that have made all of this possible are as follows: KRZK FM 106.3, KOMC FM 100.1, KHBZ FM 102.9, The Venue at Meadows, Cater the Ozarks, Tiers by Stephanie, Touch of Class, Rosewood Floral, Iva & Jude Photography, Canote Films, Abigail McGeouh, Cary Dougan, DJ Kolmega, Cait Coordinates, Strength Sertified w/Rick Koenig, Kaleidoscope Adventures and Central Bank.
Each of the partners can be found on multimedia sites.
I will be doing a follow-up of the winners and hopefully an interview with them. Stay tuned!
The contestants...
Andy Williams’ star continues to rise
BY RICHARD ERIKSON
The year 2025 began, as so many years before began, with Andy Williams as one of the most popular and beloved singers in the world and as one of the greatest hit-makers of all time. This brings a great deal of joy and pride to Branson, which was Andy’s home for twenty years.
In the early 1990s, Andy fell in love with Branson and Branson fell in love with Andy. The Moon River Theatre became one of the most visited attractions in Branson and earned the distinction of being the only theater ever featured in Architectural Digest. Andy was instrumental in transforming Branson from a primarily country music town to the live entertainment capital of the United States. His decision in 1993 to perform his epic live Christmas show in Bran-
son began the expansion of the Christmas season to two full months and helped create the “most wonderful time of the year” in Branson. He earned the title “Mr. Christmas” because of his spectacular Christmas television specials, including his 1994 Branson Christmas Concert on PBS, his annual Christmas tours and his eight Christmas albums. As has been often said, “Christmas begins in Branson when Andy Williams says it begins.”
The love and esteem of Andy in Branson is shared throughout the world as Andy returns each year to the top of the charts with his Christmas music. “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (TMWTOTY) has become a Christmas standard and The Andy Williams Christmas Album (1963) garners new fans each year, so many that it becomes an annual chart
topper (#17 album in the USA in December 2024). What Andy said in concert is so true: “Christmas chestnuts are songs that keep getting better and better with age.”
TMWTOTY was the No. 7 song in the United States for the week of January 4, 2025. This remarkable feat extends Andy’s historic record as the artist with the greatest span of Top Ten hits to well over 65 years. Andy first entered the Billboard Top Ten with “Lonely Street” in October of 1959. Only two artists have had Top Ten Billboard hits in five decades: Andy Williams (1950s, ’60s, ’70s, 2010s and ’20s) and Michael Jackson (’70s, ’80s, ’90s, 2000s and ’10s). Many of Andy’s other Christmas songs are played throughout the holiday season, so much so that in December of 2024 Andy was the No. 12 artist in the world.
And something amazing happened on Christmas Day (2024), TMWTOTY hit one billion streams on Spotify. Only 843 songs have reached this milestone and only a handful of holiday songs. It is so poignant and nearly miraculous that this super rare landmark occurred on Christmas Day. What is also remarkable is that TMWTOTY was not even released as a single in 1963. Columbia Records chose to release Andy’s version of White Christmas as the lead track from The Andy Williams Christmas Album. TMWTOTY was written especially for Andy by Edward Pola and George Wyle and gained popularity each year as Andy would perform it on his annual Christmas special. Andy described his move to Branson as one of the best decisions of his life. It was a match made in heaven. Andy loved returning to his
Midwestern roots. He delighted in playing golf in the morning and performing in the afternoon and evening. He contributed greatly to the community through his extremely generous philanthropy. We have missed Andy greatly since his passing in 2012, but it is so won-
derful to know that the love and esteem of our huckleberry friend in Branson is shared throughout the world and that Andy continues to bring enormous joy to millions of people through his artistry and music. We can’t wait to see Andy’s star continue to rise in 2025.
Couple 1: Tiffany & Daniel Brown, Marionville. Married, together 12 years.
Couple 2: Alice Stimson and Mike Stanford, Branson. Engaged, together 12 years.
Couple 3: Sarah & Kris Harvey, Branson. Met in high school, married in 2024.
Couple 4: Jocelyne Thomas & Cameron Cain, Harrison, AR. Engaged, together 5 years.
Couple 5: Loryn Corbett & Landon Freeman, Springfield. Engaged, together 3 years.
Couple 6: Bailey Meeks & Collin Knittel, Branson. Engaged, together 8 years.
Richard Erikson and Andy Williams in Andy’s theater apartment (Photo submitted by Richard Erikson)
A Branson mainstay: New location for Pierce Arrow in 2025
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
The 2025 season will bring about changes for many shows. One of the first to announce a change in location is Branson’s Pierce Arrow Show. A mainstay in Branson and long-time residents of the theater carrying the group’s name on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, Pierce Arrow will soon be moving to the Reza Live Theatre.
Pierce Arrow will bring
to the Reza Live Theatre their popular Pierce Arrow Country Show and Pierce Arrow Decades Show, as well as two new productions, Pierce Arrow Gospel Show and Pierce Arrow’s Ozark Mountain Christmas Spectacular. One change to the Pierce Arrow shows will be the addition of a featured female vocalist, joining the cast in 2025. Another change is that Dan Britton, founder of Pierce Ar-
row and the group’s bass singer, has announced his semi-retirement from the stage. While Britton will continue to produce the Pierce Arrow shows, he is stepping back from his role of performing nightly.
“Entertaining since the age of four and on stage in Branson since 1988, it’s time for me to work a little less and enjoy my grandkids a little more,” stated Britton in a recent press release. “After lots of re-
flection and many prayers, I asked myself ‘what would the next season of life bring for me and my brand, Pierce Arrow?’ So, I decided to either go big or retire. I decided to go BIG! Why not put Branson’s Hottest Show in Branson’s Hottest Theatre? After visiting with Reza and his team, I knew it was a perfect fit. The stage is larger and lighting and sound are much superior to the older theater, which will allow us to take Pierce
Arrow to a level never possible before. I can’t wait to get started!”
The Pierce Arrow Shows will join an award-winning lineup of productions at the Reza Live Theater in 2025, including Reza Edge of Illusion, Doug Gabriel - The Ultimate Variety Show, MJ The Illusion: Reliving the King of Pop, Buckets and Boards, and Phil Dalton Theater of Illusion, as well as special events throughout the year.
“I am honored to be collaborating with this great lineup of artists at my theatre,” said Reza. “We will continue to have the best of the best, and it’s going to be another awesome season, as I celebrate my tenth year in Branson in 2025!” Tickets for all of the shows at the Reza Live Theatre’s 2025 season are on sale now, via phone at 417-404-3434 or online at www.rezalivetheatre.com
Shepherd of the Hills announces new show, set for spring 2025 debut
Submitted to Branson Globe
The Playhouse Theater at The Shepherd of the Hills announces an all-new comedy show, “Branson Comedy Bash.” Hearkening back to ‘60s and ‘70s era television variety show, this bash features stand-up comics, sketch comedy, magic acts and funny songs.
“Dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, Shepherd of the Hills has historically had the reputation of being the original entertainment attraction in Branson,” said Jae McFerron, writer and director of ‘Branson Comedy Bash.’
“The Playhouse Theater is producing great, original
comedy shows and ‘Branson Comedy Bash’ is a natural continuation of that tradition of hilarious, family-friendly entertainment.”
The 90-minute variety dinner show blends some of Branson’s well-known comics and beloved personalities. The award-winning cast includes comedic ma-
gician Mike Bliss, comic and variety artist Blake Walker, stand-up comedian Joey Aiello, popular favorite performer Dalena Ditto, comic actors Dan and Dana Embree, and songsmith Justin Sifford, all hosted by Shannon Thomason as AppleJack.
“This bash has the cream of the crop of veteran comedians,” said McFerron. “In all, 12 of Branson’s most experienced and sought after comedic professionals will be featured over the course of the season.”
The new “Branson Comedy Bash” will run March 4, 2025, through October 31, 2025. All performances will be in the Playhouse Theater, located at the entrance to The Shepherd of the Hills Adventure Park, 5585 W 76 Country Blvd, Branson. For tickets, call the ticket office 417- 334-4191 or buy online at theshepherdofthehills.com.
Dinosaurs and deliciousness make for a fun January
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
A one-day event at Branson’s Pizza Ranch offers food and fun for all.
In an exciting event on Saturday, the I Heart Cookies Company, a Deep Dish Dessert Company, will be offering their delicious Deep Dish cookies for sale from their popular food truck, regarded as The Most Popular Food Truck in America.
• BOB FORD
Continued from page 4B
intelligence balloon originating in China, drifted over parts of Alaska, Canada and much of the continental United States. I dubbed the balloon, “What just happened!” To fly over an enemy’s territory
afternoon in Branson
The fun-filled afternoon will also feature dinosaurs in an exhibit that includes a massive T-Rex, Triceratops, Four Raptors, a Baby Triceratops, Baby Allosaurus, Baby Raptor and more.
Visitors will enjoy the animatronic dinosaurs, perfect for viewing and photo opportunities, as well as other dinosaurs available for children to sit on and play with.
The epic one-day event
collecting data as you go, I don’t think any other espionage effort has been as successful since Mata Hari.
is set for Saturday, January 11, at Pizza Ranch, 1464 State Highway 248 in Branson, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Come enjoy the amazing buffet at Pizza Ranch before or after visiting the dinosaurs.
There is no admission fee to see the dinosaurs, but the I Heart Cookies Company requires a cookie purchase per person to enter the dinosaur enclosure.
If you want to do something totally different, consider heading to Indianola, Iowa, from July 25 - August 2, for the 2025 National Balloon Classic. There will be over 100 balloons in the air for a sight rarely seen. Come on up, catch the bug…the sky’s the limit! You can find more of Bob’s work including his Bob Ford’s History, Mystery and Lore podcast, on his website, bobfordshistory.com and on YouTube.
Branson Comedy Bash (Photo submitted)
Wine, dine and unwind: Big Cedar Lodge welcomes Winter Wine Series
Submitted to Branson Globe
After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, retreat to Big Cedar Lodge this winter for our annual Season of Celebrations, running through January and February. Enjoy the best rates of the year, curated wine dinners, and cozy seasonal activities, all in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. Winter Wine Series New for 2025, our Winter Wine Series celebrates women in winemaking with exclusive seminars and five-course dinners every Saturday in January and February, leading up to our 31st annual Celebration of Tastes event (Feb, 20-23). All events in this wine series are open to both overnight guests and the public.
Unshackled Wine Seminar
January 11 | 1-2 p.m. |
The Worman House | $55plus per person
Hosts Jessica Murray and Kelly Brenner will provide an insider’s perspective on the history of Unshackled Wines by The Prisoner Wine Company. In this one-hour tasting seminar, you will delve into four distinctive wines and uncover the historical importance of Chrissy Wittmann taking on her role as Senior Director of Winemaking.
The Prisoner FiveCourse Dinner
January 11 | 6-9 p.m. |
The Worman House | $165 per person
Hosts Jessica Murray and Kelly Brenner will feature exceptional wines from The Prisoner Wine Company, highlighting their innovative director of winemaking, Chrissy Wittmann. Throughout the evening, you’ll have the chance to savor five distinctive wines paired expertly by the culinary team at Big Cedar Lodge.
Cline Family Cellars
Tasting Seminar
January 18 | 1-2 p.m. | Harry’s Cocktail Lounge and Bar | $55 per person
Winemaker Hilary Cline from Cline Family Cellars will lead guests in an exclusive tasting of Sonoma AVA wines. During this one-hour seminar, you will explore four unique wines from the Sonoma AVA while learning about the fascinating history of her family’s vineyards.
Boutique Wine Collection Wine Dinner
January 25 | 6-9 p.m. |
The Worman House | $155 per person
Host, Katixa Mercier – a sommelier, importer and partner at Boutique Wine Collection, will showcase exceptional wines from her exclusive French collection while providing fascinating insights into the wines, vineyards, production methods and history.
Oceano Wine Seminar
February 1 | 1–2 p.m. |
Harry’s Cocktail Lounge & Bar | $55 per person
Join Rachel Martin, winemaker and founder of Oceano Wines, for a onehour seminar featuring their coastal vineyard’s sustainable and innovative wines. Sample three exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals, including low-alcohol and non-alcoholic options, while exploring the unique attributes of San Luis Obispo’s terroir.
Oceano Four-Course Wine Dinner
February 1 | 6–9 p.m. | Worman House | $165 per person
Experience an elegant four-course wine dinner with Oceano Wines. Host Rachel Martin will guide you through the story behind their premium Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and reduced-alcohol Syrah, each
paired with artful dishes by our culinary team. Non-alcoholic pairings available.
Austro-Hungarian Wine Dinner
February 8 | 6–9 p.m. | Worman House | $135 per person
Explore the rich traditions of Austro-Hungarian wines during this fivecourse dinner hosted by sommelier Katixa Mercier of Boutique Wine Collection. Enjoy five exceptional wines paired with curated dishes. Optional upgrade: Add a side-by-side tasting of A. Gere Solus 2021 for $55.
Oakville Ranch Wine Seminar
February 15 | 1–2 p.m. | Harry’s Cocktail Lounge & Bar | $75 per person*
Join Shelia Gentry, general manager of Oakville Ranch Winery, for a onehour seminar showcasing three standout wines from Napa’s renowned Oakville Ranch. Learn about the estate’s history and their commitment to sustainable winemaking.
Oakville Ranch Paired
Wine Dinner
February 15 | 6–9 p.m. |
Worman House | $198 per person
Savor four exquisite Oakville Ranch wines during this four-course dinner led by Shelia Gentry. Discover the story behind Napa’s iconic 370-acre estate and its handcrafted wines. Optional upgrade: Enjoy a special side-byside tasting of the 2021 and 2016 Cabernet Franc for $60.
Celebration of Tastes (February 20-23)
Save the date for the 31st annual Celebration of Tastes at Big Cedar Lodge! Savor decadent culinary creations, enjoy the beauty of the Ozarks, and celebrate centuries of winemaking’s
SMAC’s ‘Members Show’ opens
SUBMITTED BY SMAC
SMAC will host its sixth annual “Members Show,” at the SMAC Art Center through January 31. With art that ranges from landscapes to abstracts and more, the 28 participating local artists create an engaging gallery experience for the community.
SMAC member artists who are participating in this year’s show are Mary Arneson, Meike Aton, Shirah Miriam Aumann, Jane Ballard, Tenille Blair-Neff, April Coble, Elaine Deyo, Randy Dietz, Ivan Edson, Bruce Emeric, Kalyn Girdley, Jenny Green, Scott Hepper, Jennifer Hernandez, Lynnette Horn, Anthony Hunter, Kerry Jackson, Janette Johnson, Brenna Prince, Christine
Riutzel, Beth Schultz, Mary Swanger, Alexander Tabor, Mary Evelyn Tucker, Shane Vozar, Audra Welch, Kat Weltha and Julie Zetina.
Each month during their exhibits, SMAC highlights one of the many local nonprofit organizations that serves the area. This month SMAC is drawing atten-
tion to House of Hope, which offers services to the homeless in the Branson area, including a warming center for freezing nights. They connect their clients to resources so they can make positive changes that will move their lives forward.
ever-perfecting tradition.
Stay tuned for more details!
Big Cedar Lodge seasonal activities below:
• Charcuterie and Wood Burning: Join us for an afternoon of drinks, food and fun. Our staff will walk you through how to assemble one of our specialized charcuterie boards for the month, then choose a design and create a board using wood-burning tools to make your very own masterpiece. This activity is open to both overnight guests and the public. $130 per pair, includes two boards for burning and two drinks per person. Boho Hat and Leather Burning Workshop: Join us for a fun afternoon of creating your own stylish hat and leather masterpieces! Each guest will receive a boho hat or choice of a large leather piece to burn. Accessories and additional materials are supplied to help create your one-of-a-kind hat and leather burning creations. This event is open to both overnight guests and the public. $70 per person, ages 16-plus.
Ice Skating Rink: Skate in the open air on our “all-weather synthetic” ice rink, surrounded by twinkling Winter Wonderland lights. Skate rentals are included, and a skate assist is available for younger children. Open through February 8. ($15 for overnight guests, $20 for day guests.)
• Paint & Pour: Relax and unleash your creativity with step-by-step guidance from our art instructor as you paint your own masterpiece.
Sip on two glasses of wine, water or soda, and snack on our signature Chex Mix. All supplies, including a keepsake apron, are provided. This activity is open to both overnight guests and the public. ($60 per person, ages 13-plus)
Chocolate Delight: Join us for an hour of fun creating your very own candy bars while sipping your choice of drink! Enjoy the art of confectionary, as you make a white chocolate and a milk chocolate candy bar and sweeten them up with a variety of fun toppings and fillers. This activity is open to both overnight guests and the public. $25 per person
Relaxation at Cedar
Creek Spa
Soothe your winter blues with a visit to Cedar Creek Spa, a world-class retreat offering 11 treatment rooms with fireplaces, a unique grotto pool, an ice room and plush lounges. Winter sale
Rates starting at $159 Cozy up at Big Cedar Lodge this winter with our best rates of the year! Enjoy discounts on all accommodations for Sunday through Thursday stays through March 6, 2025. With cozy cabins, unforgettable wine seminars, and exclusive offseason experiences, Big Cedar Lodge’s Season of Celebrations offers the perfect winter getaway. Take advantage of the best rates of the year and create lasting memories this season.
1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a large skillet.
2. Add the cornflakes and cinnamon.
3. Cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and stir in sugar. Let mixture completely cool.
5. Beat the heavy whipping cream, evaporated milk and salt
in a large bowl until the mixture begins to thicken. Slowly add in the condensed milk and vanilla until thickened.
6. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
7. Sprinkle half the cornflake mixture onto the bottom of the pan.
8. Pour the creamy filling over the crust and sprinkle the remaining cornflake mixture over the filling.
9. Cover the baking pan and freeze overnight.
10. Cut into squares and serve with honey, whipped cream and cherries if desired.
GO ROGUE by drizzling chocolate syrup with the honey. Want Chef Jeff to make this delicious dessert for you? Contact him at www.
TheRogueChefBranson. com .
January Thaw right in your kitchen: Popular soup recipes to start off the new year
BY EMILY RACETTE PARULSKI |
Taste of Home | COMPILED BY
JANET STEINKAMP
With the holidays behind us, now is an excellent time to enjoy delicious, filling, and easy-to-make soups, complete with nutritious vegetables. A crockpot/slow cooker will come in handy to finish simmering the ingredients. Enjoy! Cheesy Chili
This delicious soup even makes a great dip or topping for baked potatoes.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 pounds ground beef
2 medium onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cans (10 ounces each) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
1. In a large saucepan, cook the beef, onions and garlic until meat is no longer pink, 5-7 minutes; crumble meat; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, chiles and pepper;
bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes. Stir in cheese until melted. Serve immediately.
3. If desired, top with sour cream, jalapenos, tomatoes and cilantro.
Recipe by Codie Ray Best Seafood Chowder
INGREDIENTS
1/2 pound sliced bacon, diced (or diced lean ham)
2 medium onions, chopped
6 cups cubed peeled potatoes
4 cups water
• 1 pound bay or sea scallops, quartered
1 pound lobster meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pound cod, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound haddock, cut into 1-inch pieces
NOTE: Other types of fish may be substituted.
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
4 teaspoons salt
• 4 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
2 quarts whole milk
• 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
• Oyster crackers, optional INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large soup kettle or Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels; set aside drippings. Sauté onions in drippings until tender.
2. Add potatoes and water; bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes.
3. Add the scallops, lobster, shrimp, cod and haddock. Cook for 10 minutes or until scallops are opaque, shrimp turn pink and fish flakes easily with a fork.
4. Add the butter, salt, parsley and curry powder. Stir in milk and evaporated milk; heat through.
5. Garnish with bacon, and additional parsley and oyster crackers if desired.
Recipe by Heather Saunders Cheesy Chicken Chowder
A hearty, rich chowder that is great with garlic bread and a salad
INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups diced peeled potatoes
• 1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup diced onion
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups diced cooked chicken
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a 4-quart saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil. Reduce heat; add the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat.
3. Add cheese, stirring until melted; add to broth along with chicken. Cook and stir until heated through.
Recipe by Hazel Fritchie Makeover Beef & Potato Soup
• 12 ounces reduced-fat process cheese (Velveeta), cubed
• 1-1/2 cups 2% milk 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
2. Combine flour and 1 can broth until smooth. Add to beef mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes.
3. Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Stir in the potatoes, carrots, celery, seasonings and remaining broth. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until vegetables are tender.
4. Stir in cheese and milk. Cover and cook until cheese is melted, about 30 minutes longer.
5. Just before serving, stir in sour cream.
Recipe by Sheila Holderman White Chicken Chili Tender chicken with creamy white beans in a rich broth makes this a delicious variation from regular chili.
3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) great northern beans, drained, divided
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Optional: sliced jalapeno pepper, sour cream and crispy tortilla strips
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook chicken and onion in oil until lightly browned. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, chiles, cumin, oregano and cayenne; bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to low. With a potato masher, mash 1 can of beans until smooth. Add to saucepan. Add remaining beans to saucepan. Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and onion is tender.
3. Top each serving with cheese and, if desired, jalapeno pepper, sour cream and tortilla strips. By Lindsay D. Mattison
RECIPES AND PHOTOS FROM TASTE OF HOME
‘Rap Rewind’ brings iconic hip hop lineup to Black Oak Amp, June 27, tickets on sale now
Submitted to Branson Globe
Black Oak Amp is set to host one of the most anticipated hip hop events of the year, Rap Rewind, June 27, 2025. This electrifying concert will feature legendary artists Baby Bash, Twista,
Paul Wall, Ying Yang Twins, and Yung Joc, promising an unforgettable night of music and memories.
Fans of 2000s rap are in for a treat as these iconic performers bring their greatest hits to the stage, celebrating the
golden era of hip hop. From Baby Bash’s smooth hooks to Twista’s rapid-fire lyrics, Paul Wall’s Southern charm, Ying Yang Twins’ party anthems, and Yung Joc’s chart-topping bangers, this lineup is set to deliver a high-energy
performance that will have everyone on their feet.
“Rap Rewind is all about bringing back the magic of hip hop from the 2000s,” said Johnny Stauffer, Black Oak Amp owner. “We are thrilled to host such a stellar lineup at Black Oak Amp and can’t wait to see the fans relive these iconic songs live.”
Tickets for “Rap Rewind” go on sale Friday, January 10 at 10 a.m. CDT and are expected to sell out quickly.
Don’t miss your chance to see Baby Bash, Twista, Paul Wall, Ying Yang Twins, and Yung Joc live in concert. Get ready for a night of nonstop hits and incredible performances.
Tickets ONLY at: https://www.etix.com/ ticket/p/68434455/ rap-rewind-featuringying-yang-twinspaul-walltwistababy-bashand-young-j oc-lampe-black-oak-amphitheater
LARRY DABLEMONT is an outdoor publisher, columnist, author, speaker, naturalist and outdoorsman.
One of my best-selling books is an account of my dad’s experiences when he was just a kid on the Piney in the 1930s. It is entitled “Little Home on the Piney.” If you would like a copy, contact me.
The following is just part of a magazine article he wrote years ago, and it is his memories of long ago days on the river:
----What fishing there was in those days! The Big Piney River was full of bass and goggle-eye and black perch. It was nothing to catch 30 or 40 perch and goggle-eye in a single day, and a dozen or so nice smallmouth bass.
I missed a lot of school in the spring and fall so I could guide fishermen, but it couldn’t be helped; the family needed the money. I made good grades because I studied hard and read a lot. The schools understood in those days when boys were needed at home.
My customers were mostly nice people and I enjoyed working for them. I had one man who insisted on standing on the front seat to fish. I warned him if we hit a submerged rock or stump, he would fall out. He told me he was a gymnast
My dad’s birthday was this week. He died at the age of 84 in 2011. I miss him most when I am on the river, where we spent so much time together. Dad was several inches taller than me at 6 ft. 3 in. He was strong and quiet, hard working and dedicated to his church and community. He was too young to fight in World War II, but when he was just barely 17 he joined the merchant marines and wound up on the high seas in liberty ships, which took a tremendous beating during the war. High numbers of them were sunk by German U-boats, and thousands of merchant marine sailors were lost at sea. Actually, it was my dad who taught me to fish and run the river when I was just a little tyke. I was floating the river with fad when I was only six or seven, learning how to cast an old, open-faced Shakespeare casting reel.
stage. Wayne would sometimes do little magic tricks for fun on stage. We had clog dancers our first year. A female clogger would get inside the cage. Wayne spun it around after putting a cloth over it to hide the dancer. Then he would remove the cloth and, ta-da, a pot-bellied pig would appear. One day, without Wayne knowing, they brought in a live tiger from the sanctuary north of town. When Wayne pulled off the cloth, I’d never seen him so speechless as he was
that day. Fly high, Wane-iac! You were a funny, nice, sincere and talented man. We all love you and will miss you!”
Said former Branson Mayor Karen Best, “The Osmonds’ footprints are all over Branson. They performed here for many years and have left a legacy in the area. Wayne Osmond was loved by all who knew him. He was most loved for his quick wit, sense of humor and love of family.”
Steve Presley of Presley’s Country Jubilee shared his thoughts, saying, “When the Osmond family arrived in Branson to open their theater,
v isitor BRANSON
and an expert on balance. So being a dumb kid like I was, I decided to see how good he was. Going down a deep riffle, I saw a small stump just underwater, and I built up a little steam and hit it head on. I can’t describe how he looked flailing in mid-air with both arms and legs while he fought to keep his feet on that boat seat. But he wasn’t the expert on balance he declared himself to be. He went in with a big splash. For some reason, he never used my guiding services again, even though he caught a good mess of fish that day after he dried out.
Then there was a man from St. Louis who wanted to photograph the Big Piney River. He was to come early on a Saturday morning but on Friday we had a heavy rain. He showed up the next morning with his wife and sister-in-law after the river had risen 15 feet. I told him I was sorry but it was just too high to float.
“I thought you were a riverman?” he said. “I just want to take pictures. Couldn’t we make it?”
So the four of us set out in a 16-foot wooden johnboat. I knew the river and all the dangerous bluffs and crooked places. So when the
it was an exciting time for our community. Wayne’s personality and sense of humor was a perfect fit for Branson. Branson audiences love to laugh, and Wayne’s gift of providing laughter along with his beautiful singing was an instant hit. Our family is blessed to call the Osmond family friends, and we send our thoughts and prayers to them.”
Branson headliner Doug Gabriel noted, “I have known the Osmond family for many years, and am truly saddened by the passing of Wayne. I always loved watching the brothers here in Branson, and
river was straight I stayed in the middle and in the main current, and where it was crooked I took to the edges and paddled through the fields where the water wasn’t as fast. Boy, what a ride we had! There were some tense moments when my passengers were hanging on for dear life, but we made it in four hours…a distance of 20 miles. We even stopped twice to climb hills and take pictures.
The gentleman paid me well but now that I’m older and wiser, I would never do it again, and shouldn’t have done it then. We were all risking our lives.
As a fishing guide I have seen strange things on river floats. I took two lawyers from Springfield on a few trips. I remember one trip in particular when they had done well in the morning, but by noon they had downed most of a whole bottle of Jim Beam. One threw a wild lure and caught the other one in the lobe of his ear. I’m not much of a surgeon, but I offered to cut the hooks and take it out. The fisherman declined. He wore that lure in his ear for the rest of the trip, taking a drink of his antiseptic every so often. After that, I asked that fishermen
their tight family harmony was just incredible. I loved Wayne’s sense of humor on stage, as I remember his quick wit. One time, he started singing the song ‘Born Free,’ but then added the words ‘My dad is a doctor.’ My show was at the Osmond Theater years ago, and I was grateful to share the same stage as these musical icons. Wayne and his entire family have blessed us all by coming to Branson. I’m grateful to God for the honor of knowing this beautiful family, and I’m grateful for our friendship all these years. I’m praying for the entire fam-
take no alcohol on float trips. It was one of the smartest moves I ever made.
I have seen grown men cry when they lost a big fish. One got so mad he broke his rod over his knee and threw it in the river.
I am so thankful that I lived the life I had as a kid, in a time when the rivers were clean and clear, and God gave me the privilege of watching
ily during this difficult time. I pray Jesus surrounds them with his perfect peace!”
On behalf of the Hughes Brothers and their families, Jason Hughes shared, “We love the entire Osmond family. They have always been such an inspiration to us. We grew up watching and listening and trying to emulate them. We have loved our association with them throughout our time in Branson. The first time we performed in the Osmond Show, Wayne was out of the show, due to a brain tumor, so we didn’t get to know him as well as the other
so many people catch fish while floating through those beautiful unmarred hills and valleys, which were then still much as He created them. And I’m thankful he let me be a part of a vanishing breed… an Ozark riverman. Only those of us who remember it the way it was then, know how bad it is now…and what God-given treasures we have lost forever.
Osmond Brothers. Years later, Wayne, Merrill and Merrill’s daughter, Heather, did a show in our theatre for a season. It was great getting to know Wayne. He was such a pro. He always had such a giving attitude. I remember him sharing jokes with us backstage that he had heard or read somewhere. He was always keeping us entertained backstage. I still have a joke book he gave me back then. We will miss Wayne. It gives us solace thinking about the song the Osmonds always ended their show with—’God Be With You Till We Meet Again’.”
Dad, Farrel Dablemont (Photo courtesy Larry Dablemont)
• WAYNE OSMOND Continued
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 417-955-2513 or email mark.applegate@senioragemo.org.
lassifieds
CELEBRATE RECOVERY 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 417–320-2055 See you there!
1 Seeking their DD 214
2 Needing a companion dog
3 Wanting peer-to-peer friends
4 Seeking professional counseling
5 Needing food, water or shelter
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
I WAS OUT WALKING, and I ran into my 80 year old friend named Smokey Bear. He was talking about the clean air. If you smell smoke look for the fire, because it may burn your house. Please don’t throw away your cigarettes outside and remember fireworks start fires. The weather is dry so don’t burn your house down and don’t burn my house either. Please pay attention.
GRIEF SHARE SUPPORT GROUP: Grief
Share at the Branson United Methodist Church will begin again in late Feb. Please watch for date. This is a 13 week class open to anyone in the Branson area. There will be an afternoon class and an early evening class for working people. If there are questions, please call Peggy at 417-334-3423 or email caring@bransonumc.org.
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.
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!
We can help you with your rent, groceries and gas. Please call to get the details – 417-337-3772.
FREE ESTIMATES AND TIMELY RESPONSE. Full remodels, decks, pole barns, garages, fencing and small projects. Call 417-699-1635.
FOR SALE
FOR SALE: Aquarium, Large, (3’ x 1’8” x1’) with fish, $350. Hammond (Model M 100 series) Spinet Organ with owner’s playing guide, $500. Transaction through cash. Text or phone 224-430-1249.
APTS/CONDOS
FOR RENT: 1 bed/1 bath apartment, just off Bee Creek Rd. Repainted and new hardwood floors. Only $695/month. Water, sewer & trash included. Call 417-337-0077 or 417-231-7129
FOR RENT: 2 BR, 1 1/2 bath townhouse. All appliances including W/D. Available now. Covered parking on Bee Creek. 1 mile from Walmart Super Center. This is a place you want to live. $975 per month.
RENTED! THE GLOBE DOES IT AGAIN!
SCOTTY’S TROUT DOCK/ CAFE looking for help. Apply in person. 400 Boxcar Willie Dr., Branson. 417-334-4288. HELP WANTED ROOMS TO RENT
MR. GILBERTI’S PLACE. Need
Add a little color to your advertising, and watch readers take notice! Run an ad like this one for $25/wk.
in “Cimarron”
“Wheel of Fortune”
Neighbor of Montpellier
of the Northern Mariana Islands
44. Malodorous creature 47. Deficiency 48. Here and there 49. Moons, suns, etc.
50. Moo goo gai pan pan 53. “After the horse” trio
57. Transport dating from the Stone Age 58. It voids warranties 59. Spiraling current 60. Latin 101 verb 61. The heart of the matter 62. Jam Down 1. Something you want to save 2. New York City stadium name 3. Use a rotary phone 4. Corny bit?
5. Respected man
6. Golden Fleece ship
7. Island welcome 8. Little helper 9. Fish-eating hawk 10. Edmonton player on ice 11. Supine’s antonym 12. Where Trixie’s husband toiled
14. Boy Scout badge 17. Gangly pace 18. Names in publishing
On this date in history...
• 1870 Standard Oil Company, created by John D. Rockefeller (30%), his brother and other business partners
1943 First U.S. President to visit a foreign country in wartime: Franklin D. Roosevelt leaves for Casablanca, Morocco
1949 RCA introduces 45 RPM record
1951 UN headquarters open in Manhattan, NY
• 1967 PBS (National Educational TV) begins as a 70-station network
1984 Clara Peller first asks: “Where’s the beef?” in commercial for Wendy’s hamburger chain
• 1990 China lifts martial law, imposed after the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989
• 1990 NCAA approves random drug testing for college football players
22. Croat or Bulgar 23. Ice formations 24. Dry as dust 25. Chop finely 26. Verdi’s “Caro nome,” e.g. 27. Disappear, à la the Wicked Witch 28. Like smokehouse meat
30. Irish revolutionary Robert
31. Word with bubble or opera
32. Gyrating dance 33. Beau Brummell’s alma mater 35. Ordains
36. Lovely meter maid
37. IOU 41. Mock
42. Cavalry side arm
43. Amphora handle 44. Analyze a sentence
Iridescent gemstones
Loads with cargo
Take away forcibly
Musical composition
Like some loads
Racetrack info
Features of Florida
Crone
It’s a wrap
Search for the right word
• 2019 Oceans warming faster than previously thought due to fossil fuel burning, according to data published in journal, “Science” 2022 U.S. reports 1.34 million new COVID-19 infections, a global record, with Omicron variant accounting for 95% of cases 2024 Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie bows out of the Presidential race
Sudoku
See more fun puzzles at: https://www.puzzles.ca/sudoku/
