4A • OCT. 20, 2023
bransonglobe.com
New playground opens at Elevate Branson evate facility during its open hours; an additional sponsorship opportunity is available for a biometric fingerprint gate to allow expanded community access while still maintaining security. For more information about sponsorships and donations, Elevate Branson hours, and Elevate Kids, visit www.el- Therapy dog Theo enjoyed the evatebranson.org and check park with Elevate Kids director Cathy Brown. out the “Take Action” tab.
In his dedicatory remarks, founder and CEO Bryan Stallings cited research indicating that time spent in nature helps heal trauma and anxiety. The new play area will help improve quality of life for over 400 area kids whose home is a room in an extended-stay motel, with an asphalt parking lot instead of a lawn to play on, and whose family life is often stressful under such conditions. The playground is set in a naturally wooded setting. (All photos by Stallings thanked the indiCynthia J. Thomas) vidual and business sponsors BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff behind the Elevate Branson whose generosity has helped main building at 310 Gretna enable the opening stages, Writer Elevate Branson celebrat- Rd. Chamber of Commerce as well as Zanescapes for ed the grand opening of their members, friends and sup- their design and landscaping new All-Natural Playground porters, and community services. The park presently with a ribbon cutting on Fri- leaders including State Rep. includes sand to dig in, boulday, October 13. The play- Brian Seitz were on hand to ders to climb, slides, swings and play equipment incorpoground is located directly share in the festivities.
rated into the trees and natural slopes and rocks, as well as a walking trail. Opportunities are available to get involved in finishing Phase 1 and making Phase 2 a reality soon; individuals and businesses are invited to donate to a matching opportunity or commit to a sponsorship to extend the play facilities and the walking trail. Sponsorships include providing climbing nets and ropes; additional swings; balance beams; climbing boulders and logs; expanded sensory areas and treasure dig area, and more. Phase II will incorporate additional landscaping, a zip line and tunnel slide, and a treehouse fort. The playground is currently accessible through the El-
Elevate Branson founder and CEO Bryan Stallings cuts the ribbon.
make way for something new. I knew immediately that something had to be done to preserve that pink and blue icon. I knew I could bid on it at auction, but what about after we won. I was connected to Marshall Howden. I soon found that we shared the undying passion for preserving the history of music here in
guitar neck restored and standing at the Song of Hope Museum, greeting guests, just as it did at the Jim Stafford Theater for so many years. The fundraising will also help secure the future of the Song of Hope museum. Stafford thanked those in attendance for their loyalty and support throughout
the years, quipping that he hoped people remembered him as well as they do the neon sign. When asked his thoughts on his more than 30 years of entertaining Branson crowds, Stafford noted, “What a ride!” Jim Stafford has performed several shows in Branson this month. His
final show in this current limited engagement is set for Friday, October 20, at 5 p.m., at the Shepherd of the Hills Playhouse Dinner Theater. Join Jim as he performs “Nuggets from the Horse I Rode in On—The Life and Times of Jim Stafford” on Friday night. For tickets, call 417-334-4191.
a need. Those are a want. • Clothing: Kids ask lots of questions and get bigger. It’s just how they work. So you’ll probably need to buy new seasonal clothing most years. And if you start a new job and don’t have the wardrobe required, you’ll need a few things, too. But buying designer brands or clothing for fun is a want. And here’s the deal: We aren’t saying you can’t have wants in your monthly budget. It’s just about keeping your priorities straight. So, how do you cover both wants and needs? Great question. Let’s answer it! How do I budget for
wants and needs? As you set up your budget, follow these three steps: 1. List your income. 2. List your expenses. 3. Subtract your income from your expenses (and this should be zero). Then give yourself a pat on the back or toss some confetti in the air! Because you just created a zero-based budget! That means you’ve given every dollar a job—giving, saving, spending…covering those needs and wants. You cover both of those by making sure you put in your needs before wants as you list your expenses! Not enough money? Cut some spending or increase your income
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entered the beating heart of Branson, the center of the 76 Strip,” noted Bailey. “For two years it sat dark as the world stood still. And the corporate owners of the Jim Stafford Theater made a difficult decision to tear down the theater to, as everything evolves,
Branson. And we shared the same goal, ‘Save the guitar neck.’” For his part, Howden recited a humorous poem he composed about the challenges in getting the sign taken down and relocated. Howden has plans for a capital campaign to raise funds to get the giant neon
Needs vs. wants: It’s vital to understand the difference BY DAVE RAMSEY, Ramsey Solutions Deep down we probably know the difference between a need and a want. But in a world of next-day shipping and unlimited upgrades, that line can get a little blurry. Who has time for blurry lines? No one. So, let’s get a really clear picture of needs vs. wants— and the best way to get both covered in your budget. What are needs? Needs are all the expenses that are necessary for you to get by in life. The most basic of these are what we call the Four Walls: • Food • Utilities
• Shelter • Transportation If you’re ever in an emergency situation (like a job loss) and need to get on a bare-bones budget—cover those Four Walls until you get back on your feet. If you’re in a stable spot with your money, other essentials to cover include insurances, debt, and (for some people) childcare. What are wants? Wants are the expenses that improve the quality of your life. Essential? No. Delightful? Yes! Here are some examples of wants: • Streaming services • Movie, concert or sports
tickets • Upgrades • Entertainment • Designer brands • Bassoon lessons • Travel • Restaurants You read all those right. They’re wonderful, but not vital! If they fit in the budget, that’s fine. But don’t sacrifice your money goals or needs to pay for these things. They can wait. T. Swift will tour again, and if she doesn’t, she’ll probably invite you over for cookies anyway! What are some wants that feel like needs? Here’s where the line gets blurry, friends. And here’s where some truth gets served.
• Restaurants: Yes, food is one of the Four Walls, but that means groceries. Because eating is a need— but eating out is a want. • Travel: Again, transportation is totally in the Four Walls—but that means getting yourself to and from work, the kids to and from school. You know, those kinds of trips. Travel is referring to those fun vacations. That’s a want. • Upgraded phone plans: Having a basic, cheap phone plan is pretty standard these days. You probably need it for work and safety purposes, but all the extra features and unlimited upgrades aren’t
