Branson Globe, March 17, 2023

Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. – Haggai

City Administrator ‘ecstatic’ about professionalism of senior staff

By GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist

Since becoming Branson City Administrator in October 2022, Cathy Stepp has dealt with several personnel challenges. One of those was filling vacancies at the director and senior staff levels. With the announcement of the new human resource director scheduled for March 17, 2023, there are no vacancies left to fill for the positions under her control.

During a recent interview, Stepp answered questions about some of these personnel and staffing challenges. The results of the interview, in Q & A format, with Gary Groman (GG) asking the questions and Cathy Stepp (CS) responding, are:

Options Clinic dedicates resource room in honor of Kathy Buckley

Submitted to Branson Globe Options Pregnancy Clinic staff and volunteers offer their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of long-time Options volunteer Kathy Buckley of Hollister, who passed away February

22. The clinic’s Baby Resource Room was recently dedicated in her memory.

Along with her husband, Jerry, Kathy volunteered weekly for over a decade since moving to SEE KATHY BUCKLEY, PAGE 37

GG: How do you respond to the mayoral candidates stating that, if elected, they will “fill job vacancies to create stability to gain grant funding?”

CS: I am unaware of any problems with Branson not getting grants because of job vacancies. Regarding job vacancies, our position is about the same as any other employer. We are not immune from changeover. People retire or

resign and go on to other things for various reasons. As is the standard operating procedure in any organization, when vacancies arise, we fill them as soon as possible with the best qualified people we can find. That will not change regardless of who the mayor is.

GG: Does the mayor actually hire or fire anyone?

CS: No. Except for the City Administrator, City Attorney, and City Clerk, the mayor has no practical involvement with hiring and

SEE CITY ADMINISTRATOR, PAGE 33

Options volunteer Kathy Buckley in her “happy place.” INSET: The plaque honoring Kathy. (Special to Branson Globe)

Cathy Stepp (FILE)

Faith Community Health opens doors in new location

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

Faith Community Health celebrated their grand opening in their new location with a ribbon cutting recently, just days after moving the clinic from the previous downtown Branson address, where they had operated since opening in 2010.

Many members of the community, city leaders and representatives of three area Chambers of Commerce came out to wish Faith Community Health well in their new Branson Hills Parkway facility

Faith Community Health is a nonprofit clinic offering affordable, income-based health care to the residents of Taney and Stone counties.

Freedom Encounter’s Daniel Myers reaches youth through Prager U

By CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer

Around Branson, it’s certainly nothing unusual for children to participate in family-owned shows and eventually, as young adults, assume a key role. For Daniel Myers, helping with a ministry started by his parents has led not only to involvement in Branson’s Freedom Journey Show but also other avenues of spreading the message of faith, family and freedom.

Daniel was in on the ground

floor when his parents, as pastors in Rolla, Missouri, began hosting Freedom Rallies as they realized many people have missed out on valuable aspects of world and U.S. history, particularly concerning the roots of tyranny and the role of faith in combating it. “He even tried writing a book when he was just eight years old,” recalled Tammy Myers about her son’s interest in such topics.

The Myers family moved into SEE PRAGER U, PAGE 24

“We’re celebrating something that has been a long time coming,” said Faith Community Health’s Executive Director Kyle David.

“We’ve had a lot of great donors that have donated to this wonderful clinic. We take care of under-resourced individuals in this community for their healthcare needs and we are so excited to finally bring it home to them.”

David explained more about the clinic’s services, noting, “Maybe you make too much to qualify for Medicaid in this community, or maybe you don’t make enough to pay for your employer’s insur-

My Neighbor’s Charitable Pharmacy provides assistance

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

Branson is now home to a charitable pharmacy.

My Neighbor’s Charitable Pharmacy is located on Branson Hills Parkway, next door to the new Faith Community Health location. Neighbor’s Pharmacy serves the uninsured people of Ozark Mountain Country needing assistance with prescription medications. The mission of Neighbor’s Pharmacy

is “to improve the health and wellness of those in our community who have financial barriers or are uninsured by providing affordable access to medication and healthcare education. We are committed to humbly serving our community with excellence through thoughtful and intentional care.”

Prescriptions at Neighbor’s Pharmacy are available with a $10 per month membership for

qualifying patients.

My Neighbor’s Charitable Pharmacy is located at 1232 Branson Hills Parkway, Suite 102. Hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The pharmacy is closed daily from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch. For more information, call 417213-9400 or visit them online, www.myneighborscharitablepharmacy.org.

Daniel and Madison Myers (Photo provided by Tammy Myers/Freedom Encounter)

Faith Community Health celebrates their new location. (Photo by K.D. Michaels)

SEE FCH RIBBON CUTTING, PAGE 24

Branson residents gain national recognition for vacation rental business

Submitted to Branson Globe

The International Franchise Association (IFA) recently named Grand Welcome of the Ozarks Franchisees, Steve Harbour, Chris Hollyman and David Hughes as 2023 Franchisees of the Year. The three were honored at the 63rd IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, for being outstanding franchisee establishment owner-operators.

“Franchisee of the Year recipients represent the best in franchising,” said Matthew Haller, president, and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “This is the highest honor IFA awards to individual franchisees, and local business owners like Harbour, Hollyman and Hughes

exemplify the power of franchising and its positive contributions to communities around the world.”

CAM announces opening of new location

Submitted to Branson Globe

Christian Action Ministries, food pantries of Taney County, announce the opening of a new location. The new building is located on the west side of the county at 2400 State Highway 165 and will serve as an additional distribution site and the HUB for all pantry operations. In May of 2022, the nonprofit purchased the building in preparation for meeting the increased needs of the community. A special ribbon cutting and grand opening will be held on Friday, March 31, 12-1 p.m. The community is invited to attend the celebration. The event will include

tours, giveaways and lunch.

“The new facility will help us stand prepared to meet the needs of our neighbors. The building provides more than 15,000 square feet and includes a warehouse and beautiful lobby to share Christ’s love with our neighbors,” according to Michele Dean, executive director.

The additional space will enable Christian Action Ministries to take advantage of free or low-cost food supplies that they were previously not able to accommodate due to space restrictions. Those experiencing food insecurity will now have three distribution sites to re-

ceive assistance, five days a week. New hours of operations are: Mondays: 2 p.m.-6 p.m. (HUB); Tuesdays: 8:30 a.m.-11 p.m. (Forsyth) and 12 p.m.-3 p.m. (HUB); Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m.-11 p.m. (Forsyth) and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (downtown); Thursdays: 8:30 a.m.-11 p.m. (Forsyth) and 9 a.m.2 p.m. (downtown); and Fridays 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (HUB).

Christian Action Ministries has served to combat food insecurity in Taney County since 1984. The ministry’s mission, vision and impact in Taney County is detailed on the website at www.christianactionministries.org.

DAWN is a 2-year-old female. Dawn is very shy. But with time, we think she will come out of her shell. Her brother, Ellsworth, loves her so much and brings out her playful side. Come by and meet this cutie.

BRUNO is a 3-year-old male Doberman mix. He was found as a stray and brought to the shelter. He is very playful and such a wonderful boy. This handsome guy is ready for a forever home.

The Franchisee of the Year Award, sponsored by IFA’s part-

Pictured left: Steve Harbour, owner/ operator; and right: David Hughes, director of business development (Special to Branson Globe)

SEE RECOGNITION, PAGE 37

BY LINDA PAGE Entertainment Writer

Jerry Presley and the God and Country Theater were the hosts last Saturday afternoon for a group of lovely senior ladies. The event was the Ms. Senior Earth Global Pageant and ladies from Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, New York, Tennessee, Florida, Missouri and Washington, D.C. were on hand to vie for the coveted crown.

Jerry Presley welcomed the group and after a prayer and the National Anthem sung by Kim Burk the judging began. Judging the

Area Entertainment: Ms. Senior Earth Global Pageant

event were Terry Rockette, actor, singer and tax professional; Kathie Truitt, author, blogger, owner of Hillbilly Debutante Pie Shoppe in El Dorado Springs, Missouri; and Benson Reeves, entertainer. Emcee and executive director and coordinator of the pageant was Shan Carrasco of Branson West. Co-director of the event was Ms. Mississippi, Sharon Savage.

The 14 participants were divided into four age groups from 50 to

80-plus. Entrants in the 50-59 age group were Kellie Gragg, Alabama; Deneen Anderson, Mississippi; and Victoria Rangel, Texas. In the 60-69 group were Dorothy Brown, Arkansas; June Marie Booth, Mississippi; Dr. Patricia McDougall, New York; Cynthia Wilhite Dugger, Tennessee; and Janet Standifer, Texas. In the 70-79 group were Phyllis Gambone, Florida; Linda Franchini, Missouri; Fay Melton, Mississippi; and Aileen Brady, Texas. The only entry in the

80-plus was Ann Miller, Mississippi. Each lady was judged on their interview with the judges, evening gowns, outfit of choice, talent and costume representing their state or district.

During breaks in the action, Kim Burk, soloist, and Duck Drake, pianist, entertained the audience. Also on tap was Barbara Reincke, Ms. Super Senior Universe from Dallas who showed off her twirling skills with two batons. That

Queens: Linda Franchini, Ann Miller, Deneen Anderson, Dr. LaVerne Adams (Photo by Linda Page)

Most Beautiful: Deneen Anderson (Photo by Linda Page)

Queen Linda Franchini, Ms. Missouri

(Photo by Linda Page)

SEE MS. SENIOR EARTH, PAGE 20

80-plus, Queen Ann Miller (Photo by Linda Page)

First Amendment to the United States Constitution Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

ROB DOHERTY Publisher (504) 583-8907 robd@bransonglobe.com

JANET STEINKAMP Editor editor@bransonglobe.com

GARY GROMAN, A.K.A. THE OLE SEAGULL Independent Writer

KIM CHAPPELL Ad Designer gabbydor210@gmail.com

PATTY DOERPINGHAUS

Stone County Account Representative (530) 739-5560 pattyd.ads@gmail.com

MARK FEDER

Taney County Account Representative (805) 320-3746 shotgunart@yahoo.com

TIFFANY GRAVETT Staff Writer tiffanykathleenbrown@gmail.com

KAREN HALFPOP Digital/Production Manager production@ BransonGlobe.com

KD MICHAELS Staff Writer kdmichaelsbranson1@gmail.com

LINDA PAGE

Entertainment Writer lpage65@centurytel.net

CYNTHIA J. THOMAS Staff Writer cjthomas74@yahoo.com www.cynthiajthomas.com

DARYL WEATHER

Weather Forecaster bransonwx@gmail.com

BY DAVE RAMSEY,

Dave,

Recently, I made a few hires for the upcoming season for my lawn care business. They’re all good, motivated people, but one re-

Dave Says: This guy has potential!

ally stands out from the rest. I could see him moving out of the field and into a sales position before the end of the year. How should I begin laying the groundwork for this idea?

-Dan

Hi, Dan,

This’s great to hear. Believe me, I know the feeling when you look at roomful of people and realize you’ve built a really good team. I’m excited for you!

One of the first things I’d do is talk to some other owners of landscaping companies outside your area that are about your company’s size and pick their brains as to how they’re structured. Let them know you’re thinking about hiring your first salesman, and find out

how they pay their team and if it’s working well for everyone.

What we’re talking about here is called best practices in business. Find something that works for someone else in your industry and apply it to your specific situation. Think about it this way: If you wanted to lose weight, you’d begin by doing what people who have shed some pounds are doing, right? You want to emulate behavior that’s been proven to generate positive results.

I’d also advise you to make sure the person you’re talking about is on board with the idea and that he understands that any compensation agreement you initiate in the beginning will be implemented on a trial basis for a specified length

of time. You’re venturing into uncharted territory here, Dan, so come up with a temporary compensation plan that’s satisfying to you both at the onset. Then, have an agreement to revisit the plan in 90 days, six months or even a year down the road. There may be a little bit of give and take involved, and it’ll take some time, but at the end of the day, you’ve both got to be okay with the upside and downside of the scale and the results.

You’ll both be really happy if he’s busting it and making himself and the company successful. But as a business owner, you’ll want him to feel a little pressure if he’s not producing—for himself and for you!

— Dave

Stock Market Insights: Stock landing

RICHARD BAKER, AIF®,

college freshman’s first big trip without her mom or me. So I guess airplane landings are on my mind and in my prayers today. The analogy of a soft or hard economic landing seems to be what all the talking heads on cable TV want to discuss. But the economy will land this year, and here is the type of landing I see ahead.

A soft landing describes when the economy leaves a difficult time and smoothes out when economic growth slows but stays positive and becomes the foundation for long-term steady growth. The opposite of that would be the hard landing.

economy intosubmission.

My daughter is flying to Israel today. This is our

The “landing” analogy started being used for the economy in the early ‘90s and continues to be the preferred analogy. This analogy often has two potential endings, a soft or a hard landing.

A hard economic landing describes when the economy leaves a difficult time, and the U.S. falls into a recession. The reasoning behind this is that the economy has become so overheated and unsustainable that the Federal Reserve has to raise rates so painfully high that it humbles the

The Fed was late to the game, but they are making the right moves. They are expected to raise rates again this month and maybe again in April to cool the economy to finish transitioning for a good landing. We are still in the process of moving from a fast-growing market following the pandemic fueled by inflation and government stimulus money to a more normal economy that grows because of the productivity of publicly traded companies.

It may not be a soft landing, but

SEE STOCK MARKET INSIGHTS, PAGE 8

The comments on opinion pages are the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily those of Branson Globe, or its staff. Want to weigh-in? Have something to say? Share it with us in your own Letter to the Editor. Letters to the editor that are sent via e-mail and are fewer than 400 words are given preference. Published or unpublished letters become the property of the newspaper and will not be returned. All letters must include name, address, and verifiable phone number.

CEO, Ramsey Solutions, and an eight-time No. 1 national best-selling author, and host of The Ramsey Show

DR.

is the founder of and an executive wealth advisor at Fervent Wealth Management. https://www.facebook.com/Dr.RichardBaker

BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS Staff Writer

My First5 devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries is now in the Old Testament book of Ruth, which opens with the plight of Naomi, an Israelite widow living in the land of Moab.

Reflections: Be still, and know God is in control

Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, had moved the family from Israel to Moab during a time of famine. It had not gone well—Elimelech died there, and their two sons had married Moabite women, but then died also, leaving Naomi with two widowed daughters-inlaw. In that culture, the picture for widows without family was bleak indeed.

In our online discussion group, the devotional writer posed the question: Have you ever felt trapped, bitter, or desperate, with few options?

Interacting with the group, it was clear nearly everyone had

felt that way due to disappointment, loss, grief and the list goes on. (Spoiler alert: If you haven’t, you eventually will.) My own thoughts turned to the deaths of my mom and sister, heavy responsibility for my dad, complicated by Covid restrictions, and his passing last year. My son’s family is presently navigating the premature birth of their third child; he’s doing great, but there are unexpected financial complications and adjustments to jobs and family life around daily trips to the NICU. My younger son suffered a broken wrist requiring surgery, not a fun situation

for a violinist. Some friends have received recent scary medical news; another unexpectedly lost a loved one. National news is bad, as we dig deeper into our wallets for groceries, wonder how bank failures will impact jobs and housing; and hope Congress will get things done to protect our dollars and our liberty.

Back to Naomi, though. Scholars have debated whether it was wise for the family to leave Israel in the first place. Moab was an enemy country, and one Israel was warned against intermarrying with. And Israel’s famine was likely connected to warnings in

Deuteronomy about what would happen if they disobeyed God. We can’t know whether Elimelech consciously thought about God’s laws, or if he just felt he had no other choice to provide for his family. Similarly, we can suffer from conscious bad choices, but sometimes just feel trapped in someone else’s mess.

However, in her desperation, Naomi decided to return to the only safety she knew—Israel, and God, who had mercifully reversed the famine. And somehow, Ruth had learned enough about God to insist on accompanying

Been Thinkin’ About... The old man on the porch

kets and modern conveniences.

Many settled the Ozarks long ago because the winters here were not as harsh as up north. But that’s not to say the winters weren’t cold.

BY JOSHUA HESTON StateoftheOzarks Media & Design

It was warm the second-to-last day of February and I turned off my central heat. The next morning, however, it wasn’t warm and I shivered as I thought of getting out of bed. We collectively are a cozy lot, all bundled up with our blan-

The Ozark lands lie in a strange continental middle where the shift of a high pressure front can mean balmy Gulf of Mexico springtime or frozen Canadian winter, sometimes in the same week, once in awhile in the same day. It suits the personality of the hills, beautiful, ragged, shrouded, recalcitrant. As I lay contemplating the cold, I closed my eyes and my mind went elsewhere.

A mountain porch, ragged and worn. An old man on that porch, eyes squinted against the delaying

sun. Out front and far too close for comfort, a modern road. “Progress,” they called it and the old man snorted. The road bed had cleared away ancestral property with little recompense. Even the daffodils were graded away. But daffodils came up every year, just in a different place. Against the chill, the daffodils were blooming.

A modern car — all fins and hubcaps and shiny Jetson glass domes — sped by, a dusty maroon blur. The driver, a man not quite young, jaw set, both hands on the wheel. His wife, classic scarf on her head, red lipstick, Jackie Kennedy sunglasses, white-rimmed and stylishly positioned, pages of

TIME-LIFE on her lap. Both man and woman stared through domed glass, seeing a world framed by views justified in very modern bedrock.

In the back, a not-so-modern boy, striped shirt, shoes kicked off. He stared out the back window. In a brief flash, he saw the old man on the porch. Their eyes could not meet. They were too far away. And the old man’s eyes would have given nothing away. But a meeting is a meeting, nonetheless. The boy saw the old man. The porch. And the gentle grade of daffodils leading the way.

And in the meeting there were things, things that could not be

Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Reverse the curse

fied by faith” (Galatians 3:24).

BY TIFFANY GRAVETT Staff Writer

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justi-

I can remember feeling discouraged one time when I was younger after reading the book of Deuteronomy. The Mosaic laws listing all of the “dos and don’ts” required of God’s people seemed overwhelming and burdensome–not to mention the list of curses that fell upon those whose sins were not covered by the blood of some animal sacrifice. My heart ached as I imagined what it must have been like to live in those times. Then I thought about how

hard it was for me to live up to God’s standard. I wondered if I, too, might be cursed for my disobedience.

I prayed and asked God to help me understand why the law seemed so unattainable. I honestly wondered how he expected anyone to ever live up to it. That was when I came upon a passage in Deut. 21. It talked about how everyone who hung on a tree for sins deserving death was cursed of God. Next to it was a cross-reference to Galatians 3–written by

Paul over a thousand years later. So I turned there and read: “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (v.10). I wasn’t encouraged, but I read on…“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (v. 13). At that moment, I felt the grace of God cover me like

contained in history books or sociology courses. A lifetime lived. A wife loved, now buried not far off. Moments of joy, of sorrow, of life. The cold of a springtime creek as the winter sunlight sparkled, a creek where little sucker fish came up for a closer, curious view. The full autumn moon in all her magic, framed by October’s last black oak silhouette. The smell of wood smoke and grandma’s cooking. A life lived long but not long enough to feel it all, like the warmth of a quilt and a cold late-winter morning that chills you to the bone. In an instant, the maroon car rounded the turn and was gone, probably already late.

a warm blanket. I finally understood what the law was for. It all pointed to Jesus.

Later, Paul says the law is a “schoolmaster” that brings us to faith in Christ (v. 24). I had definitely been schooled that day. The ache I felt in my heart upon reading Deuteronomy had been placed there by the Holy Spirit. For when a person looks into the law of God, it is as though they are looking into a mirror which reveals the dirtiness of their sin.

BY PAT LAMB Columnist

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

Psalm 119:105

Few would dispute the fact that our world is becoming more confusing. Young children may question, “Am I a boy/girl, or am I a boy/girl who looks like a boy/ girl?” While shopping, where do I

• STOCK MARKET INSIGHTS

Continued from page 6

it will be closer to a soft landing than a hard landing. The Fed will get inflation under control with a possible mild recession but will

Train Up a Child: Growing up in a confused world

go to use the bathroom when there may be new choices? What are the Ten Commandments? Do those Ten Commandments just apply sometimes, or are they no longer applicable at all? Is our country’s constitution outdated? Who has the right answers?

In Genesis 5:2 we read, “Male and female created he them, and blessed them…” God doesn’t make mistakes. He created us the way we are for the purpose He had in mind. When we start going against God, we are putting ourselves above Him. We are not smarter than God! If children do not know anything about the Scriptures, they cannot even know that God created us. We desperate-

lead to a more stable market by year-end. They may keep interest rates higher for longer than we hoped, but LPL still sees the S&P 500 as having a target range of 4,300-4,400, which would be

ly need to teach children Scripture! The examples being set by adults do not give proper answers to the questions of children. Adults are not keeping the Sabbath holy. Many adults are not honoring their fathers and mothers, so children do not see that they need to honor theirs. Most adults are not showing love to God and fellow man, so children have few examples to follow. Even those in so-called “high places” do name-calling and act rudely. Adultery is rampant in our society. The idea of, “If it feels good, do it,” is seemingly the code most now live by. Even murder is becoming commonplace. There is a movement in our country to do away with our constitution. “The

a potential high-single-digit return by year end.

I was flying with my mentor to Ecuador a few years ago. The airport in that country’s capital is at a high elevation, and the landing

constitution is a living, breathing document,” some say. Our constitution was based on unchanging values from the Bible that should never be changed. Children need to be taught to follow God’s rules, not man’s ideas.

Growing up in a confused world creates confused children. What is the answer to this problem? The only answer is the Bible. It is an anchor that holds us steady and upright as the various winds of ideas and doctrines swirl around us. It has held true throughout the ages and will always be right when everything around us seems to be crashing down. If children do not know Scripture, they have no anchor. The only answer for

was pretty rough. I looked at him and said, “that was a bad landing.” He smiles at me and says, “every landing you walk away from is a good landing.” The Fed may pilot us to a bouncy land-

the future of our children is to teach them Scripture. Scripture memorization, including the Ten Commandments, is vitally important. Our children need to be attending church. Parents need to be teaching Bible principles at home. Parents need to know that teachers of their children believe in the Bible. Homeschooling may be a good option if godly teachers are not available. Wisdom needs to be used by parents to shield their children from those things they are not able to handle.

A little boy at his first visit to a Christian summer camp summed it up best when he told his leader, “God is really the only chance we have, isn’t He?”

ing, but we will walk away from it if we keep our seatbelts on and don’t jump out of the plane. Have a blessed week!

www.FerventWM.com

Grand Opening Special $79

Branson senior to represent Taney County on Breckenridge Scholar Day

Submitted to Branson Globe

Each year, the Taney County Federated Republican Women sponsor a Taney County high school junior or senior girl to attend Breckenridge Scholar Day at the State Capitol in Jefferson City. The 2023 representative from Taney County is Branson High School senior Chloe Ray, daughter of Chad and Amy Ray.

Breckenridge Scholar Day was

started by the Missouri Federation of Republican Women in conjunction with their annual Legislative Day, and is named for Joanne Breckenridge, who served as president of MoFRW from 1992 to 1995. Breckenridge was passionate about involving young women in government, and wanted to introduce juniors and seniors in high school to the state government process. Starting with one

young lady from each Missouri congressional district, the program was expanded in 2016-17 to allow each affiliated club in Missouri to sponsor a Breckenridge Scholar.

Chloe Ray has demonstrated leadership throughout her high school years by participating in several sports as well as National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Students Active in Leadership, combining her skills from all those

experiences by serving in student government for four years. She is also active in the community, volunteering at Elevate Branson, CAM, Kanakuk, and other Branson area nonprofit organizations. Her future plans include attending Dallas Baptist University to study exercise science and become a Doctor of Physical Therapy, with the goal of helping female professional athletes recover from sports injuries.

The 2023 Breckenridge Scholar Day will be Tuesday, March 28. As part of this special day at the Capitol, the young women will participate in a variety of activities to learn how state government works, including tours of government buildings, observing the legislative process, and meeting with elected officials. Learn more about the Missouri Federation of Republican Women at https://www.mofrw.org/.

Mayor Larry Milton proclaims Branson ‘strong’ in State of the City address

Submitted to Branson Globe

Branson Mayor Larry Milton reflected on the past year in Branson during his State of the City address at City Hall on March 14, 2023, and updated residents, business owners and community members on the progress at City Hall and its departments.

“Last year, we saw changes in how families vacation, the abili-

Continued from page 7

her mother-in-law—a picture of God’s grace to all who ask, regardless of background.

When there are storms around me, I turn to Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations” (NIV). Even if Elimelech and Naomi did make bad decisions, God did not change. Nao-

• BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S

Continued from page 7

This awareness brings with it a godly sorrow that helps us understand our need for a Savior. And what a Savior he is! Though Jesus never broke any of God’s laws, he took the curse so we wouldn’t have to. Because he “hung upon a tree,” those who live by faith in his sacrifice become children of God! May God give us the strength to live according to his Word. But when our human efforts fail, may we also remember his amazing grace–grace that is greater than all our sin!

ty of local businesses to fill jobs, increased inflation and slowed development due to supply shortages of both labor and materials. Despite these challenges, the people of Branson did what we do best. We got creative and worked together to overcome these issues. So much so, that many of our businesses had an extremely successful year. In fact, the tremendous

mi’s return to Israel required a 50-mile trek and some patience, but it eventually brought God’s provision and blessing. There are blessings even in my family’s storm: my son and daughter-inlaw lead their church in worship at a new level of personal meaning as their tiny newborn makes steady progress. They see God’s provision through Christian friends who help with meals and

growth in our tourism success ultimately resulted in the city’s highest revenues to date,” he said.

After reflecting on the past year, he discussed current projects and goals the City’s departments are working on and gave insight into the 2023 budget process.

“We will continue to identify areas of waste, cut them from the budget, and make sure your dollars

other practical concerns so they can spend time at the hospital. Whatever you’re going through—illness, financial worries, grief—God hasn’t changed. Take time to slow down and be aware of his presence. And if you need to return to him, like Naomi did, it may not be easy, but you can depend on his guidance and will find a ready welcome.

are being used efficiently and effectively. Above all, our continued goal is to focus on sound communications and increased transparency and accountability to our citizens. 2023 is the year our city govern-

ment will begin moving at the speed of business – rather than at the speed of government,” he said. You can watch a replay of the livestream at www.bransonmo. gov/livestream.

BY BRIAN H. SEITZ, State Representative for the 156th District in Missouri

My schedule at the Capitol remains jam-packed, as I deal with constituent concerns, vet bills in committee and advocate for our Southwest Missouri 156th District. While in Branson I attended a press conference put on by White River Electric Cooperative. Ear-

Capitol Report: Jam-packed schedule

lier this year, on January 23, the Missouri Department of Economic Development announced it was awarding White River Valley Electric Cooperative $47,387,646 through the ARPA Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program. This funding will go a long way in addressing the ever pressing need for internet access in our area and surrounding communities.

I was honored to meet the seventh grade students from the School of the Ozarks, as they toured the Capitol this session. I introduced them to the House, from the House floor, and noted to my fellow representatives that they and our one-ofa-kind school represent and respect faith, flag and family.

In an effort to address the violent

crime that has plagued St. Louis, members of the Missouri House approved to legislation that would put the city’s police force under the control of a state-appointed board of police commissioners.

I spoke in support of House Bills HBs 702, 53, 213, 216, 306 & 359, while they were in the Crime Prevention and Public Policy Committee. While St. Louis is a ways away from our District, crime in our major metropolitan areas does indeed affect tourism and travel statewide.

I spoke with passion and urgency, on the House Floor, concerning HBs 575 & 910 which specify that any health carrier or health benefit plan that offers or issues health benefit plans that provide coverage for diagnostic breast examinations, coverage for supplemental breast examinations, low-dose mammography screenings, breast magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasounds, or any combination of such coverages cannot impose any deductible, co-

insurance, co-payment, or similar out-of-pocket expense with respect to such coverage.

This bill further provides that a mammography facility certified by the U.S. FDA shall not require a person to obtain a referral from a primary care provider or other physician in order to receive a screening mammogram at the facility, so long as the facility is consistent with the recommendations in the most current breast cancer screening guidelines established by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

The sponsor of the bill noted a study found the national cost savings with early diagnosis would be $26 billion each year. She added, “It keeps women from becoming medically bankrupt and having to go on Medicaid, and it keeps women in the workforce paying taxes and contributing to the economy.”

The bill sponsor also noted Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Illinois and Colorado have already passed simi-

lar legislation, “It’s time for Missouri to be included on this list. In Missouri it’s estimated that 5,700 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Eight hundred and twenty of those women will die. I believe that 820 is way too many.”

Continuing our medical cost savings, I supported and voted for HB 154, which provides a sales tax exemption for sales of class III medical devices that use electric fields for the purposes of treatment of cancer, including components and repair parts and disposable or single patient use supplies required for the use of such supplies. Additionally, current law provides a sales tax exemption for the sales or rental of manual and powered wheelchairs, including parts. The bill applies the exemption to accessories for such wheelchairs.

As Chairman of the Special Committee on Tourism, I presented my House Bill 1117, dealing with Public Holidays. Beginning January 1, 2024, in order for a day to be designated, the individual to be honored shall be deceased for at least five years. If the individual was killed in combat while on active duty in the military or killed in the line of duty as a first responder, a day can be designated in honor of him or her after one year.

We often hear of the need for ‘special days,’ and those designaSEE CAPITOL REPORT, PAGE 31

Terry’s Discount Tickets continues tradition of offering excellent customer service

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

Terry Bowling is well known in the Branson area,

Terry has been serving the Branson tourism industry since 1997, offering a shuttle service to get visitors to and from their shows, as well as providing tickets to Branson area shows and attractions at very affordable prices.

Terry and his wife, Vienna, worked side-by-side operating Terry’s Discount Tickets until she passed away two years ago, following a hard-fought battle with cancer. At that time, Terry, who had been married more than 30 years, considered retiring, but made the decision to keep his company in operation—a decision that has definitely worked in his favor.

Last May, while trying to secure tickets to a local show for a customer, Terry walked into a venue on what was to be the show’s final Branson performance, and only minutes before the box office closed for good. It was there that Terry met beautiful tourism professional Barbara Milhem. Barbara recognized Terry as a local businessman, and the two began to chat. The attraction was instant, and Barbara introduced Terry to her staff, joking “This is my new boyfriend” minutes later.

“That day he asked me out, and he cooked homemade pizza with shrimp alfredo, and we never parted,” noted Barbara. “Last month, we were at our

home in Corpus Christi for the winter, and we had driven out to the beach. I got out and walked to the water. I turned around and he was on one knee. He says it took 14 seconds for us to fall in love, so now the inscription in our rings will read ‘14 Seconds to Forever.’ You’re a very blessed person if you find true love once in your life, but God has given us each a second chance to find happiness.”

Barbara and Terry now work together operating Terry’s Discount Tickets in their new office building on Branson Landing Boulevard, and Terry’s already popular business is bigger and better than ever.

“Two of my daughters have moved to Branson to work with us,” said Barbara. “Terry has been so open to us doing so much more with what we have, so we have gone to the theaters in town and explained how we want to do a lot more for veterans, military, first responders, seniors, church groups and families, and many have been

on board. With the discounts they have given us, we will be able to pay things forward and give free tickets on many shows to Gold Star families, foster families and those who have larger families who might now be able to afford to bring them to Branson, so we can instill in them a love for Branson and our shows, along with the talented folks who keep millions of people coming each year. We want to build on our Branson for the next generations, so that long after most of us are gone, people can enjoy the legacy that has been left behind by what our Bransonites have done.”

Barbara continued, “What I loved so much about Terry, when we met, was how much all the theaters and hotels loved him and respected him. When he sold his shuttle bus company, the theaters kept giving him rates that he could pass on. He has cultivated so many positive relationships with customers that come back year after year.

That ultimately led to us needing to get an office, since folks were coming to our home, looking to buy tickets. This past year, we did almost a million dollars in ticket sales, with the help of my daughters Kaiti and Brooke, and now with an office where folks can come in and say “Hi” and not be bothered by any timeshares, or need to worry about anyone scamming them, I expect this to be a banner year!”

Terry’s Discount Tickets’ new office is located at 695 Branson Landing Boulevard, Suite 210, next to Rapid Roberts.

“We are open Monday through Saturday; however, we are available by phone on Sundays”, said Barbara. “Our phone numbers are 417-332-0352 and 417-332-0353.

Our after-hours number is 417-3312582. For the most part, we do WillCall for our guests to make it easy for them, but Terry will still pick up and deliver tickets by request.”

Terry recently purchased a 1954 Dodge Coronet, so you might see him delivering tickets in style this season.

“I think what sets us apart from other companies, including those with a similar pricing structure, is the customer service we provide, along with a willingness to go above and beyond to give the guests the best experience possible, and it shows by the repeat customers each year,” noted Barbara. “Terry has come a long way from a shuttle bus to having one of the largest, non-timeshare/vacation package ticket companies in town!”

Knowledge is power: Candidate conversations from Branson U

Submitted by Branson U

Campaign signs are becoming common once again. A name, sometimes a face, but rarely any information about these people who are running to represent you. Branson U is working to change that. We’ve sent your 2023 candidates a written survey, and we’re pleased to partner with the Branson Globe in bringing you some of the responses. A candidate’s priorities can say a lot about their beliefs and potential leadership style. Read between the

lines to look for clues about their character and, if possible, find a way to meet them personally.

To read each candidate’s response in full, please visit BransonU.org/ info/vote. The following statements are in response to the question: What is the number one issue you hope to address if elected?

Lane McConnell - Branson School Board: With the times we are living in, my focus will be recruitment and retention of quality staff and teachers because there is

a critical shortage across the nation. We must have excellent staff and teachers at Branson to ensure students are successful in academic achievement and our kids will be ready to enter the workforce post-graduation.

Dustin Price - Branson School Board: First and foremost, I think it should be said that I don’t believe our school system is lacking or needing reform. I do, however, see an issue that all school systems should have on their radar in our present economy. The number one issue I hope to address if elected is our continued focus on recruiting and retaining our best-in-class staff for many years to come.

Our students are faced with more challenges now than ever before. The list is long, ranging from pressures from social media, neglect or abuse, undetected learning disabilities, bullying, various forms of anxiety, to depression.

All very serious, real obstacles that not only the students face, but also our school staff face daily. And the best way to combat and work through these hurdles is to recruit and retain best in class talent in our school staff to help our students overcome and overachieve.

Angie Smith - Branson School Board: This is a tough one, as all priorities and goals are number one to me. If I had to choose just one to be in that top slot, it would be to continue improving upon our teacher recruitment and retainment, as well as ensuring their satisfaction with their jobs (that I believe is their calling). Without our amazing teachers and staff, we wouldn’t have a school. It’s important to all of us as a board, that we “hear” them, understand their needs/wants, and do what we can to keep them in our school district.

Sonja Myer - Branson School Board: My goal if reelected would

be to consistently work to continue the incredible district we currently have. There are many challenges to public schools in today’s society and our board works hard to support our teachers and staff in order to provide an outstanding educational opportunity to every student.

Larry Milton - Candidate for Mayor: Continue to extend an olive branch and unite our community. Our future looks brighter than ever, and that will continue as we all work together for the common good. City government is there to serve the people, not the other way around. I want to continue building on the strong foundation that we have laid during my first term of serving the people and listening to them as we make decisions regarding the future of our community.

Karen Best - Candidate for Mayor: Creating a positive culture at City Hall to empower staff to work together to provide a safe environment for our citizens and businesses so everyone thrives in our community.

Charles (Chuck) RodriguezCandidate for Mayor: My number one goal is to let the full board of aldermen make decisions in the best interest of our community, not get three aldermen to blindly back what I want to do, and then keep three other aldermen in the dark. Everyone deserves to be heard and respected.

Watches

Branson Visitor TV

The people you want to reach with your business will soon be on vacation in Branson, looking for exciting things to do on their trip. They will be in their room, with the television on, and you can reach them on Branson Visitor TV. You can target people who are actively making decisions during their trip.

Mochas and Meows celebrates grand reopening

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

Mochas and Meows, Branson’s Cat Cafe, is back open for business, following a brief closure to complete an amazing expansion. Owner Mary Trexler and her staff celebrated the cafe’s grand reopening with a ribbon cutting.

Opened in the Falls Shopping Center in the autumn of 2019, Mochas and Meows recently acquired a store that was adjacent to their original location, allowing them to nearly double in size. In addition to expanding their lounge with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, complete with cat-themed decor and merchandise, the expansion gave the cats almost 2,500 square feet of space to call their own. The furry felines enjoy a bright and beautiful area with plenty of seating, a variety of cat beds and lots of toys and enrichment.

John Hagey, Chairman of the Board of the Hollister Chamber of Commerce, welcomed those in at-

tendance at the ribbon cutting event.

“I want to thank everyone for coming out and supporting Mary at Mochas and Meows,” said Hagey. “We are excited about this expansion and their new space. It’s the one and only place in Branson where you can enjoy a feline friend and a beautiful cup of mocha as well.”

Trexler noted, “We are a full service cafe. We have room to eat, drink and be merry up in the top part of the building, in our new space. Then you can enter our old space, which is now opened up just for the cats. We are currently fostering 37 cats from the Branson Humane Society, and we anticipate having as many as 45 at any given time. We facilitate the adoptions for the adoptable cats in house, and we’ve had almost 200 adoptions in the last almost four years that we’ve been open.”

Mochas and Meows offers a large menu of delicious beverages, including their signature espresso drinks, hot teas, hot chocolate and

smoothies, as well as delicious made-to-order pressed delights they refer to as Purrininis.

“We actually just added a little something for the dog people,” said Trexler. “It’s called Boone’s Hot Dog Stand. Delicious quarter pound hot dogs—so a little bit of something for you guys who are always telling me you’re not into cats.”

Find Mochas and Meows at 3265 Falls Parkway, Suite V, in the Falls Shopping Center. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, visit www.mochasandmeows.com.

Mochas and Meows owner Mary Trexler is surrounded by staff and friends as she cuts the ribbon in celebration of her grand reopening. (Photo by K.D. Michaels)

Available for adoption! (Photo by K.D. Michaels)

By CYNTHIA J.

Staff Writer

Local gardeners enjoy spring workshop

Master Gardener Susan Martin welcomed the capacity crowd at Branson’s Faith Lutheran Church by introducing MGO President Mary O’Brien and thanking Pastor Joel Krueger and the church staff and members for their hospitality. She also acknowledged plant sale organizers and the food committee for providing a delicious breakfast and behind-the-scenes work in setting up tables, drink stations and a great selection of plants for attendees to browse and purchase.

THOMAS,

On Saturday, March 11, Master Gardeners of the Ozarks members and other area gardening enthusiasts enjoyed the annual spring

workshop. Along with reminding attendees of the impending Daylight Saving Time the next day, “Spring Forward” was a fun reminder on a chilly late-winter day that it’s time to think about gardening!

In addition to the plant sale organized by Toni Smith, vendors included KD’s Garden offering papercrete pots, breads and honey; Fresh Mountain Soaps with a selection of soaps and accessories; Mary’s Masterpieces succulent station; MG Marketplace including wooden crafts by Bill Greet and garden supplies; O’Brien Leatherworks; The Laser Lady; and The Stemmery by Hollister Flowers.

The first session speaker was

Angela Stone Rodgers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who is restoring native prairie beds around Dewey Short Visitor Center after extensive experience in prairie restoration at an Iowa lake. She shared many benefits of incorporating native grasses and plants, including improved water absorption as well as better habitat for pollinators. Following Rodgers, Field Specialist Kelly McGowan with the Missouri Extension shared about training farmers through Convoy of Hope in the Bahamas. Rebuilding from Hurricane Dorian, Bahamians have faced an urgent need to reduce the country’s dependence on imports. Takeaways from McGowan’s presentation included the importance of education and training future generations to properly manage resources and grow food crops.

After lunch catered by Big D’s BBQ, drawings were held for over 40 raffle items donated by MGO

members and area businesses. Excited winners took home handmade leather and wooden crafts, garden-themed gift baskets, bird feeders, planters, gift cards and more. Cute handmade centerpieces at each table, utilizing upcycled vintage bedsprings, were also given away.

In the afternoon session, Nathan Bell, a College of the Ozarks graduate who now manages the campus greenhouse, spoke on “Growing Orchids.” Attendees were pleased to learn of the wide variety of these beautiful flowers accessible to the home grower. Entomologist and Master Gardener Tom Riley rounded out the workshops with “The Good, the Bad, and the Interesting,” describing which insects encountered by gardeners are beneficial, and ways to deal with the ones that aren’t.

The twice-yearly workshops are presented by Master Gardeners of the Ozarks, the Stone and Taney County offices of the University of Missouri Extension, and the Stone and Taney County Commissions. Learn more at https://mgozarks. org, where you also find the application for the group’s annual scholarship, given to a graduating senior planning to enter a horticulture or agriculture-related field of study.

If you missed the workshop, not to worry—monthly learning opportunities are available at Kimberling Area Library on the SEE GARDENING, PAGE 36

MGO members bring a good selection of plants for sale. (Photo by Cynthia J. Thomas)

Fritz’s Adventure kicks off second year of #FritzsSupportsLocal promotion

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

A promotion at Fritz’s Adventure was so popular that the attraction has announced that it will continue for the second straight year.

Fritz’s Supports Local (#FritzsSupportsLocal) launched last year as a way for Fritz’s Adventure to make the guest experience at their indoor/outdoor adventure park even better while giving back to the Branson community. Fritz’s Adventure purchases gift cards from a number

of area businesses like restaurants and other local establishments, and uses those gift cards to reward random guests at their own facility.

“We’re all about fun and we’re all about making sure our guests experience WOW moments,” explained Fritz’s Adventure Chief Operating Officer Travis Leaming. “The #FritzsSupportsLocal Program started in 2022 as a simple idea to broaden how we fulfill our mission of WOW moments and it has quickly grown

into so much more.”

Director of Marketing at Fritz’s Adventure Grace Frankowski added, “We love when our guests have a great time here, but we also know a vacation is bigger than just Fritz’s. We invested more than $30,000 last year into local businesses so our guests could experience more of what Branson has to offer. We believe that Fritz’s wins when Branson wins.”

According to Chris Dillon, Director of Visual Communications for Fritz’s Adventure, the program was win-win for both Fritz’s and the businesses they partnered with.

“Local partners were grateful and many felt that #FritzsSupportsLocal was just another example of Branson being a special community that supports one an-

other to succeed.”

One of the businesses that Fritz’s Adventure teamed up with is Revive Juice and Coffee Bar. “It was really refreshing that Fritz’s came to us and said they wanted to buy our gift cards and give back to grow the community,” said Revive’s Shelby Winzenried. “The more Revive grows, the more that Fritz’s grows and the more that we all grow in Branson. I believe small businesses like us need to band together, and Fritz’s Adventure is a great start to get more of that going in the future.”

Added Les Carpenter of the Branson Boardgame Cafe, “I think it’s great that Fritz’s is willing to support local businesses, especially small local businesses like ours. It goes a long way in helping us get our name out in

the community.”

While the guests at Fritz’s Adventure are chosen at random for the gift cards, those receiving a gift card to a local business are given a chance to win even more of the thousands of dollars in gift cards given out by Fritz’s. A card recipient can take a family photo with their gift card inside Fritz’s, post the photo to social media using the special hashtag, and be placed into a drawing to potentially win more gift cards.

Fritz’s Adventures is located at 1425 West 76 Country Boulevard in Branson. For more information on Fritz’s Adventure, visit their website, www. FritzsAdventure.com. For more information about #FritzsSupportsLocal, visit https://www. fritzsadventure.com/fritzs-supports-local/.

Reader’s Corner: ‘Stories of Faith and Courage from Cops on the Street’

By CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer

One of the perks of writing is that people sometimes give me books to read! (If you’ve given me one and it hasn’t been mentioned here,

please be patient with me!) Last fall, I received a copy of “Stories of Faith and Courage from Cops on the Street” while writing a feature story for the Assemblies of God about two awesome retirement-age

ladies who do Bible studies with officers in the Chicago Police Department, one of the nation’s toughest law enforcement environments.

Formatted as a devotional reading for each day of the year, this book is

used by law enforcement chaplains nationwide for devotions and prayer, often with each shift before the officers hit the streets. The true stories are from beats ranging from large cities to rural sheriff’s departments, and cover every phase of law enforcement. Some are light-hearted—a rookie helping deliver a baby, or a deputy with no hostage negotiation training asking God to use him like Balaam’s talking donkey. Others are tragic, such as grisly car crashes or the death of innocent bank customers during a robbery. Stories relating to specific events such as 9/11/2001 are placed on or near the date those are commemorated. Obviously, the stories are not all pleasant, but all point to the vital difference law enforcement and other first responders make across the nation, and particularly those

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may not sound like a big trick, but, Barbara is 83 years old.

After the scores were tallied, the ladies gathered onstage for the results. First were the optional awards. Most photogenic from each age group were Deneen Anderson, Cynthia Dugger, Phyllis Gambone and Ann Miller with overall winner Dr. Patricia McDougall. Ms. Congeniality award went to Victoria Rangel; Aileen Brady received the Ms. Sweetheart honor; the State Costume and Evening Gown winner was Dr. LaVerne Adams; Outfit of Choice title went to Linda Franchini; Most Talented was Ann Miller; and Most Beautiful was Deneen Anderson. The judges’ Queen Award

who bring a strong faith to one of the hardest jobs imaginable. The collection is compiled by Grant Wolf, a veteran law enforcement chaplain who has walked alongside such heroes for many years. One of the contributing writers is also one of those wonderful ladies I was privileged to meet and interview; she shares the story of God’s merciful presence with her family when her brother was shot and killed in the line of duty, and how her grief led to her ministry. The book is available from ChristianBooks.com or Amazon and would make a great gift for your favorite local area hero or any chaplain you may know. Or why not get a copy for yourself—you’ll be inspired to pray more fervently for those who head out each day to keep our communities safe.

went to 80-year-old Ann Miller.

All the ladies deserved a crown, but the judges had to narrow the field to the ones who, in their opinion, stood out from the rest. In the 50-59 group, Deneen Anderson was selected as queen and Victoria Rangel as princess. Dr. LaVerne Adams was crowned queen of the 60-69 group and Cynthia Dugger as princess. Queen of the 70-79 group was Linda Franchini and princess was Aileen Brady. Eighty-year-old Ann Miller was queen of her group. Congratulations to all the winners.

Shan Carrasco said this was the inaugural pageant for Ms. Senior Earth Global Pageant and plans are to make it a yearly event in Branson. Mark your calendars to come out next year to support your favorites and have a fun afternoon.

• MS. SENIOR EARTH

Nowhere to hide

By Stephanie Callahan, Owner/Lightspeed Electrical

Despite the countless YouTube videos and Pinterest pictures on how to hide your ugly electrical panel, it is a REALLY BAD idea. National Electric Code Article 110.32 states that there needs to be sufficient space around an electric circuit breaker panel for safe operation and maintenance. Here is why:

First, if something isn’t operating right inside, your first warning is going to be detected by your senses. You may hear something buzzing, you may smell something burning, or you may feel heat. Cabinets, doors and even picture frames create a barrier that masks the warning signs.

Secondly, ALL electrical panels require maintenance from time to time. Whether it is for electric repairs or upgrades, or another tradesman needs easy access to shut a circuit off to work safely, there must be room for him to work. If someone has to disconnect or move appliances, disassemble a cabinet, or squeeze into tight spaces, its going to take twice as long…and cost more.

Here is the MOST IMPORTANT reason: If your panel is hidden and there is an emergency that requires someone to shut off the main breaker, time is of the essence. When a firefighter, family member, or neighbor cannot find the elec-

trical panel, danger and damage increase by the second. Sometimes electrical panels need to be relocated due to home additions or remodels. If you have questions about the safety, age, or location of your electrical panel, call the professionals at Lightspeed Electrical at 417-239-5050.

Stephanie Callahan, Owner/Lightspeed Electrical

Hidden Treasures expansion allows for more unique merchandise

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

A popular Branson shopping destination has expanded—a huge accomplishment for a business that has been open for less than a year.

Located in the Falls Shopping Center, Hidden Treasures Trading Post is owned by Timothy and Krystal Seiffert. Opened in the summer of 2022, the venue offers a variety of antiques and collectibles, as well as gifts, home décor, sports cards, coins, taxidermy and a large selection of unique items. Now their inventory is larger than ever.

“We have doubled in size and added almost 2,000 new items,” said Timothy. “We are buying more than ever and bringing antique and

collectible items from all over the Midwest. New items literally come in on a daily basis, so our inventory is constantly changing.”

Because the expansion allowed for a different layout, Hidden Treasures can now carry twice as much inventory as before, greatly expanding their collection of unique items.

Said Timothy, “Besides the antiques and collectibles, we have also added some awesome unique and handmade gifts from across the country. We have blown glass made right here in the Ozarks by a local artist, knives, handmade lamps, pottery, soaps, socks, towels and much more. We also added a die cast room which has over 1,000

Bin AllWe’veItems!Added Sorts Of New

vintage die cast cars in it. We literally have something for everyone.”

Timothy and Krystal are always interested in purchasing unique items.

Said Timothy, “We are always buying. If you have antiques, collectibles, or unique items you are looking to sell, give us a call.”

Hidden Treasures Trading Post is located at 3265 Falls Parkway, Suite Q. For more information, visit their website, www.HiddenTreasuresTradingPost.com, or, better yet, stop by to see what they have to offer.

“We are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” said Timothy. “You never know what you’ll find here!”

Taneyhills Library retail stores to hold open house

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

The Taneyhills Library retail shops are holding an open house. Stop by the Taneyhills Library Thrift Store and Used Book Store on Tuesday, March 21, for a spring celebration.

In the Thrift Store, see all of the new-to-you spring clothing and merchandise and enjoy some special sales. In our Book Store, shop for books for all ages and interests, and enjoy the buy one get one free sale on green dot books.

Refreshments will be offered, as well as raffles for some great merchandise. Every $10 you spend in either store earns you a raffle ticket, with prizes drawn at the end of the day.

One hundred percent of the money raised in the Taneyhills Library Thrift Store and Used Book Store helps fund the Taneyhills Library, as it continues to fill a great need in our community.

“Taney County is the only firstclass county in Missouri without a publicly funded library district,” noted Library Director Marcia Schemper-Carlock. “Because SEE LIBRARY, PAGE 25

The expansion at Hidden Treasures Trading Post has allowed for twice as much inventory at the unique shopping destination. (Special to Branson Globe)

• PRAGER U

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full-time ministry in 2015, first adding shows during Branson’s Veterans Homecoming Week, and eventually establishing the Freedom Encounter Theater as a home for the ministry in the former Yellow Ribbon Theater. Daniel’s role grew as well, helping with music and video and singing in the show. He also created an educational resource, The Freedomist, using YouTube and other social media to put important principles into the language of younger Millen-

nials and GenZ and encouraging them to think for themselves about how to apply these principles and preserve liberty. The Freedomist then caught the attention of Prager University Foundation, known as “Prager U,” which offers educational material as a free alternative to the left-wing ideology which dominates much of the current media and education culture.

Daniel Myers, now 26, recently moved back to Branson after living in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he worked to establish the Freedomist team as key contributors to Prager U Kids. He contin-

ues to be employed by Prager U, producing the “To Be Honest” kids’ series (https://www.prageru. com/video/tbh-history-trailer) and a “How-To” series of timely youth topics including “How to Get Out of the Pit of Despair” (https:// www.prageru.com/video/how-toget-out-of-the-pit-of-despair). He also developed Prager U commercials aired nationally about the kids’ series. Many parents will relate to the scenario depicted in one of the commercials https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=jooCHar4f-I of a child parroting leftwing ideas from school and pop culture, and will find the Prager U content a welcome way to provide

• FCH RIBBON CUTTING

Continued from page 2

ance. And, that’s where we come in. We fill that gap for uninsured individuals. We take care of their primary care needs, mental health, we have a dietitian, and we are also looking at other services. Dr.

their children with historical truth.

Since returning to Branson, Daniel is once again actively involved with Freedom Encounter Theater as audio/visual director. A gifted composer, he wrote and orchestrated the score for the Freedom Journey Show. Along with using his production skills to benefit both the show and the continued development of the museum exhibits at the Freedom Encounter Theater, both Daniel and his wife, Madison, will be singing in the show for the upcoming season.

Tammy Myers said she and Darren are naturally glad to have Daniel and his family back in town, but are also looking forward to

Bowling helps with vision, so we have a lot of great services.”

“We have a website, faithcommunityhealth.org. You can go there if you are a patient. If you’re an employer, you can learn more about FaithCare. We do partner with My Neighbor’s Charitable Pharmacy right next door. You

the show’s new season starting the last week in April. Don’t miss the return of the popular song “There Is Hope,” along with some new music! Check the website, www. freedomencounter.com, for show schedule and ticket information, and remember, veterans attend for free, as do students age 12 and under.

Also check the website and Facebook page often for updates about new museum experiences currently being developed, including a one-room schoolhouse and a colonial church. You’ll want to include this historical education experience in your summer and fall plans with your children and grandchildren!

can get medications for $10 if you qualify,” David continued. Faith Community Health is located at 1232 Branson Hills Parkway, Suite 104, just behind Lakeland Pharmacy. The clinic is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. until 12 noon.

Springfield/Branson Roof Company celebrates new location

By CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer

Springfield/Branson Roof Company celebrated a new location for its Branson office with an open house on Thursday, March 9. Representatives from Hollister Area, Branson and Forsyth Area Chambers of Commerce held ribbon cuttings throughout the day, while friends and building-industry colleagues from around the area dropped by to enjoy delicious treats, coffee, giveaways and good conversation.

The rainy celebration day was the perfect opportunity for owner Daniel Koren to point out that the

Continued from page 22

Taneyhills Library is not publicly funded, we cannot apply for state and federal grants. Libraries have evolved and they are more than books. Technology, computers and software drive our business. The cost exceeds what we generate in-library. Is there a need for expanded library services? Oh, yes!”

Schemper-Carlock continued, “We also have the low income families and individuals that depend on the Library to provide the technology they need to survive in an online world. Unlimited mobile data plans, laptops, printers and broadband connections are beyond their financial reach. The library is their resource for economical online connections.”

team is available to help diagnose issues and get them taken care of quickly. “We’re looking for people who hate their roof,” he said. Since opening in the area in 2020, the company has established a good reputation in customer service and quality workmanship, reflected in positive reviews online and among people in attendance at the celebration.

Branson Roof Company gives particular attention to helping their customers navigate the sometimes-confusing process of sorting out an insurance claim. In addition to assisting with communication with insurance com-

“Fortunately, in our area, families are realizing the educational and economic benefits libraries provide their children,” continued Schemper-Carlock. “Over 58% of all items checked out are children’s materials. Parents are all about educational programs for the children.

panies, Koren has written a book, “The Calm after the Storm,” which helps explain policy terminology and offers suggestions that can help lead to a better settlement.

Koren said he is excited about the increased visibility at the new location, next to Rapid Roberts at 695 Branson Landing Blvd., Suite 220, near the intersection of Branson Landing Blvd. with Hwy. 65 North. The Branson Roof Company team invite anyone with questions about roofing or other outdoor home improvements such as siding and guttering to stop by and get acquainted, 8 a.m.

If people think nobody needs a library because of the internet, they are mistaken.”

The Taneyhills Library Retail Stores invite you to take a look at the resources offered on Tuesday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Taneyhills Library Thrift Store

to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, call 417-662-5246, or visit

www.springfieldroofingcompanynearme.com.

and Used Book Store are located in the lower level of the Taneyhills

Library, 200 South 4th Street in downtown Branson.

Owner Daniel Koren cutting the ribbon with friends and Hollister Chamber members looking on (Photo by Cynthia J. Thomas)

Southwest Missouri teams sweep youth coding league’s spring 2023 roster

First steps on their paths to the highest-paying, fastest-growing occupations in the world are hap-

pening in southwest Missouri this spring for over 200 fifth-eighth graders as 21 schools and organizations in southwest Missouri bring coding and computer science skills to their middle and ju-

nior high school students through the Youth Coding League (YCL).

The YCL is offered at both schools and community organizations serving fifth-eighth graders. In the fall, local Boys and Girls

League continues through April 2023.

For more information, YouthCodingLeague.com Stacy Dohogne Lane, stacy@youthcodingleague.com. Branson hires new assistant principals

For the following counties below, must show a valid photo ID. Purchaser may bring up to (6) guests or members of immediate family for the same ticket price. Other restrictions apply. MO: Barry, Christian, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Ozark, Polk, Stone, Taney, Webster, Wright. AR: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Izard, Madison, Marion, Newton, Searcy, Stone, Washington.

Club of Springfield units hosted Youth Coding League teams. CEO Brandy Harris highlighted that “this program has helped many of our club members grow confident in their abilities and has given them shared goals to work toward. I am looking forward to offering this program to new youth in the spring and I am excited to see their work!”

Funded by grants from the Missouri Technology Corporation, Crowder College, and powered by the efactory, Codefi, and the Innovate Southern Missouri initiative, the Youth Coding League is a complete learning program built for schools and organizations that introduce fifth-eighth graders to computer science and coding and launched in southwest Missouri in the fall of 2022.

Local southwest Missouri teams to cheer on this spring:

• Buchanan Intermediate (Branson) 5/6

• Cedar Ridge Intermediate (Branson) 5/6

The Spring 2023 Youth Coding

Branson Junior High School and Cedar Ridge Intermediate will gain new assistant principals for the 2023-2024 school year.

Logan Wilson has been named the new Activities Director/Assistant Principal for Branson Junior High School. Logan Wilson replaces Brandon Wilson, who will move to Activities Director at Branson High School in 20232024. Logan received his undergraduate degree from Missouri Southern State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northwest Missouri State University. He is currently serving at Carthage R-9 School District, with experience in teaching physical education

Youth Coding League (Special to Branson Globe)

Logan Wilson (Special to Branson Globe)

Continued from page 26

and health at Carthage and Seneca R-7 Schools. Wilson has coached boys’ varsity track and field, junior high football and junior high boys’ basketball.

gan-Rogersville Middle School.

Barbee received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Truman State University, as well as his educational specialist degree in school administration from Lindenwood University.

Wilson and Barbee will begin their new duties July 1, 2023.

C of O GOLD candidates attend Air Force Academy National Character and Leadership Symposium

Adam Barbee has been named Assistant Principal for Cedar Ridge Intermediate, replacing Nathan Carter who will move to Assistant Principal at Branson High School. Mr. Barbee returns to Branson Schools after previously serving as a teacher at Branson Junior High from 2016 until 2021. He is currently Assistant Principal and Athletic Director for Lo-

Four College of the Ozarks Missouri Army National Guard (MOARNG) GOLD officer candidates recently attended the U.S. Air Force Academy National Character and Leadership Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The annual symposium brought together distinguished scholars, military leaders, corporate executives and world-class athletes to motivate and equip participants for honorable living and effective leadership.

The four students who attended

were Andrew Smith, senior business administration and management student and MOARNG officer candidate; Garrett Scott, senior exercise science major and MOARNG officer candidate; Ethan Herman, junior engineering major and MOARNG officer candidate; and Ryan Wade, sophomore business administration student and MOARNG officer candidate. CPT. Alex Eaton-Williams, instructor of military science, acted as the chaperone on this trip.

Gibson Technical Center Professionals of the Month recognized

Each month, Gibson Technical Center recognizes students for outstanding work. March’s Professionals of the Month are Mason Rogers, Brayden Faucett and Cameron Sartin.

All three are part of the GTC Construction program. Rogers is a junior from Chadwick High School. Faucett is a junior from Crane and Sartin is a senior from Galena.

Hollister teacher, staff and students of the month recognized

Teacher, staff, and students of the month were recognized at the March 6 Board of Education Meeting.

Teacher of the Month: Miss Montana Rasmussen, HES

Staff Member of the Month: Mr. Larry Hensley, HES

Students of the Month:

• HECC: Elliot Battey

• HES: Flavia Palacios

• HMS: Tommy Woods

• HHS: Garrett Snyder

SEE SCHOOLS ARE AWESOME, PAGE 28

Adam Barbee (Special to Branson Globe)

Mason Rogers (Special to Branson Globe)

Brayden Faucett (Special to Branson Globe)

Cameron Sartin (Special to Branson Globe)

Recognized in Hollister (Special to Branson Globe)

• SCHOOLS ARE AWESOME

Continued from page 27

Hollister Winter Winds take first again

perior Rating.

The Hollister Winter Winds and Winter Guard competed at Nixa High School on March 4.

Hollister Winds placed first and Winter Guard received a Su-

The groups will complete their competitive season at the Mid Continent Color Guard Association State Championships on April 1. Pirate Wrestlers medal at State Missouri Class 3 saw two Pirate medalists at the recent State Wrestling Tournament in Columbia. Cade Grimm (senior) finished second at 215 pounds. This makes Grimm a two-time State medalist for the Pirates. Kyshin Isringhausen (senior) took fifth place at 138 pounds which makes him a four-time State placer for the Pirates.

Branson Wrestling brought five finalists to the tournament

including Alejandro Berumen (senior), T.J. Storment (junior), Daphne Worley (junior), Grimm and Isringhausen.

Reeds Spring School District hires Director of Human Resources

Dr. Shane Dublin will join Reeds Spring Schools as the new Director of Human Resources.

Dublin currently serves as Assistant Superintendent of Academics at Willard Schools.

“It is an honor to join the Reeds Spring team of amazing people,” Dublin said. “I look forward to being a part of the great things happening in the district as the vision, leadership, and positive culture are working together to build a world-class educational experience for kids. The excitement and positive vibes around all that is happening in Reeds Spring are contagious and I am blessed to be a member of the Pack!”

In addition to his time at Willard, Dr. Dublin has also been an administrator in Springfield, Bolivar and Halfway. He has a doctorate degree from Southwest Baptist University and also earned master’s and specialist degrees from SBU.

“We are so excited and blessed to have Dr. Dublin join our Wolf family,” said Reeds Spring Su-

perintendent Dr. Cody Hirschi. “He is a passionate leader who will serve our district with all of his heart. Dr. Dublin has built a regional reputation for being an innovative and exceptional leader, who is thoughtful and possesses a servant’s heart. We are truly honored to have him join our team and are excited about the skill set he is bringing to Reeds Spring.”

Dublin’s wife, Jacki, is also an educator and they have three children. He will begin his new duties on July 1.

Hollister Winter Winds (Special to Branson Globe)

Cade Grimm, second place, 215 pounds (Special to Branson Globe)

Kyshin Isringhousen, fifth place, 138 pounds (Special to Branson Globe)

Shane Dublin (Special to Branson Globe)

News briefs from around the Branson/Tri-Lakes area

Golden Friends Luncheon celebrates successes

many successes of the district this year, including the football team’s trip to the state championship game, the marching band’s victory at the state competition, and the progress made on two building projects, the renovation and expansion of the Primary School and the construction of the Table Rock Career Center, which will replace Gibson Technical Center.

the National Home Watch Association. The NHWA was formed in 2009 in order to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for Home Watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada.

Home Watch is a visual inspection of a home or property, looking

for obvious issues, which means that it is a service that “keeps an eye on things” at your vacation or primary home while you are not in residence. All principals of NHWA Accredited Member companies are background-checked, insured and bonded.

Tim and Terri Crisler are from

Hollister, Missouri, and have lived in the area for more than 18 years. They started The Castle Boss Home Watch back in October 2022 because they saw that owners who do not live in the area have a desperate need for help.

Terri is a local real estate agent

More than 200 people attended the Reeds Spring School District’s annual Golden Friends Luncheon on Wednesday, March 8. The district treats anyone 55 and older to a free meal as a way to thank them for their continuous community support.

Superintendent Dr. Cody Hirschi told attendees about the

The Reeds Spring Elementary Singers and the RSHS Jazz Band also performed at the luncheon. March 2023 is National Home Watch Month

The Castle Boss Home Watch performs Home Watch inspections for those homeowners and snowbirds who maintain residences in two or more places. Home Watch is a risk mitigation service that visits the homes of snowbirds and business travelers while they are away, performing checks that may catch minor issues before they turn into major problems, by communicating with the homeowner in real time. Unoccupied homes account for trillions of dollars in unchecked real estate.

The Castle Boss Home Watch has earned accreditation from

More than 200 community members attended the Reeds Spring School District’s Golden Friends Luncheon. (Special to Branson Globe)

RSHS senior Rosie Williams serves the meal at the annual Golden Friends Luncheon. (Special to Branson Globe)

Continued from page 29

and saw the need from many investors in the area to have an extra set of eyes, ears and boots on the ground. It’s hard to manage properties across the U.S., or the world for that matter, without being present all the time. Homeowners need someone to rely on, and The Castle Boss Home Watch is that “someone.”

Tim and Terri are both well known in the area for their quality work and being reliable when their clients need someone the most. They want to help protect the properties in their area and also the people who enjoy it as much as Terri and Tim do. Their properties, clients and guests are their most important priorities. The Castle Boss Home Watch provides five-star, white-glove experiences and can’t wait to help their clients’ properties.

The Castle Boss Home Watch serves Branson, Branson West, Blue Eye, Cape Fair, Hollister, Galena, Kimberling City, Lampe, Omaha

and Ridgedale. You can reach them at 417-559-0669 or at terri@thecastleboss.com. Learn more at their website, https://thecastleboss.com.

Ralph Foster Museum to open

“A Timeless Hue: The Willis Glassware Collection’ exhibit

The College of the Ozarks will feature “A Timeless Hue: The Willis Glassware Collection” in the Ralph Foster Museum. The display begins Wednesday, March 22, and will stay through the fall term. Viewers can observe the collection Tuesday through Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“The Willis family, proud supporters of College of the Ozarks, donated their collection of black glassware they had been acquiring for over the past 30 years,” said Kiley Hutcheson, director of retail operations.

The Ralph Foster Museum is located on the campus of College of the Ozarks and is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Contact the museum directly at 417-690-3407.

Surplus property online auction live now through April 4

The City of Branson is conducting an online auction, through Purple Wave Auction Company, to sell surplus property, that is live now and ends Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

The City has contracted with Purple Wave Auction, a company that specializes in internet-only auctions, to give bidders the chance to view items, read descriptions, see pictures, and place bids from the convenience of their computers. Items up for auction include multiple vehicles that are no longer needed by the city.

All items for this government surplus auction will be listed on www. purplewave.com. Instructions on how to register to bid are located on Purple Wave’s website. Additional questions can be directed to Purple Wave at 866-608-9283.

Winter season moving out, pothole season moves in Missouri Department of Transportation crews are already focusing on pothole repairs to keep roads as

safe as possible and will continue through the spring as weather allows. When you see a MoDOT crew making repairs, motorists should slow down and move over a lane to give them room to work safely.

“Between the drastic changes in temperatures throughout this winter season and the moisture from precipitation, we’re already seeing a high number of potholes developing on Missouri highways,” said Natalie Roark, MoDOT state maintenance director. “We ask motorists to please be patient with us and look out for our crews.”

Motorists can report the location of potholes on state-maintained roads by calling 1-888275-6636 or at www.modot.org/ report-road-concern.

Potholes on local streets should be reported to local city or county maintenance departments.

Ozark Mountain Friday Nights date change to Saturday, March 25

The Farnum Family of Galena, Missouri, invites you to their next Ozark Mountain Friday Nights

concert on Saturday, March 25. Programs are free to the public and feature a variety of musical styles and special guests. Their community concert series is presented at New Testament Christian Church, 21016 Main Street, Reeds Spring, Missouri. The building has auditorium seating for over 400. Showtime is 7 p.m., but doors open at 6:30. The March show will conclude the 2022-2023 Winter Series.

The show has been moved from Friday to Saturday this month due to the exciting news that the family fiddler, Hannah Farnum, has been hired to be part of Clay Cooper’s Country Express Band! Clay’s schedule includes Friday nights, so the switch was made in order to allow Hannah to do both shows.

The special guest for March 25 will be local singer, songwriter and musician, Danny Eakin, of Silver Dollar City’s Homestead Pickers. A seasoned entertainer, Danny’s repertoire includes songs that have you crying one minute

Continued from page 30

and laughing the next.

Ozark Mountain Friday Nights are made free to the community through the support of area businesses and individuals. Current sponsors include: Talking Rocks Cavern • Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure • Stuck on Branson • DCB Construction LLC • Rustic Timbers Furniture • Bones’ Stones Landscaping • Lefty’s Pump & Drilling Service • Lakeland Pharmacy • Wire Road Rebuilders • Wagner & Associates LLC.

CAPITOL REPORT

Continued from page 10

tions are easily rendered at a local level of celebration. The impetus for HB 1117 is that these days of statewide remembrance return to their place of high-honor and distinction, and that one’s life is fully vetted in the interim.

Need to contact my office?

Please call my office at 573-

The Farnums family band includes Benjamin on guitar, Hannah on fiddle, Maggie on bass, Matthew on vocals, Trish (Mom) on piano and pennywhistle, and Norm (Dad) on the 5-string banjo. Hannah is an award-winning fiddler having participated in numerous Walnut Valley Old-Time Fiddle Championships and other competitions. She also has her own show on Facebook Live: Fiddlin’ Friday at Five. Back episodes of the program are available on the Farnum Family Facebook page. You may also find them at FarnumFamily.org.

751-1309 if we can ever be of assistance to you or stop by our office in Jefferson City in room 118. I or my legislator assistant are happy to help.

Brian H. Seitz

State Representative of the 156th District

201 W. Capitol Ave., Room 118 Jefferson City, MO 65101 Telephone 573-751-1309

Stone County Developmental Disability Board provides valuable services

By CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer

Stone County residents with developmental disabilities are receiving valuable services close to home, thanks to the efforts of the Stone County Developmental Disability Board. Executive Director LaDella Thomas shared about the Board’s progress over the past seven years at the February luncheon meeting of the Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

SCDDB provides direct services as well as funding local nonprofit organizations to provide services to residents who have autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Any Stone County

resident with a disability occurring before the age of 22 and likely to last throughout their life, with multiple impacts on daily living, may be eligible. Services include OATS transportation, music and art therapy, sports and camp programs, and services through Partnership for Hope, Project Lifesaver and Chances of Stone County, as well as individual needs.

Stone County voters overwhelmingly passed a tax levy in 2016 to fund these services, similar to funding for a health department or library board. Since the first funds were received in 2018, 170 individuals have received program services, as well as individual funding for a variety of needs such as

adaptive equipment, home modifications, therapy, wheelchairs, tutoring, health-related travel and more.

SCDDB is committed to being responsible with every voter tax dollar, including leveraging the tax levy funding with additional Medicaid funding to provide day programs and residential programs. In 2022, the Board was able to purchase a centrally-located plot of land and is pursuing grants and additional funding to build needed office space, plus areas for job training, skills for increased independence and quality of life, and increased engagement with the community.

Program participants already serve at volunteer sites including the Kimberling Area Senior Center, Tri-Lakes Humane Society, Crane Library and Crane City Hall, Open

Hearts Open Hands, and Caring Americans. The Board also provides year-round, well-paying employment for 36 staff in roles including direct support, quality control/billing, human resources, and training and community partnerships.

As part of the Chamber presentation, Thomas invited Andrea Romeisser, whose brother is a current SCDDB client, to share her experiences. Romeisser expressed her gratitude, stating that the services had not only been life-changing for her brother, helping him be more independent and involved in the community, but also ease the family’s burden of worry about his future.

The Developmental Disability tax levy will be on the ballot for renewal on April 4. The SCDDB team remind voters that this is not

a new tax or increase, but simply a renewal of what has already proven to be a valuable return on investment for the community. If passed by Stone County voters again, the levy will remain in place to provide vital services and support like OATS, Chances, sports, and individual needs that are already making a big difference for residents with developmental disabilities and their families; without the continued levy, many of those things would not be possible. Estimates are that approximately an additional 330 people in Stone County need services. Future plans, in addition to building space, include expanded leverage with Medicaid-funded services such as supported employment, behavioral health services, affordable housing, and additional support for medically fragile individuals.

SCDDB does not take lightly the trust placed in it by residents of Stone County, and looks forward to continued growth to meet even more needs in the community. Voters are encouraged to learn more about the Stone County Developmental Disability Board by visiting www.stoneddboard.com or calling 417-272-0444; Executive Director Thomas and other staff are happy to share more about programs and activities and answer any questions.

• CITY ADMINISTRATOR

Continued from page 1

firing employees. Even in those cases, the mayor is only involved as one member of the board of aldermen (Board) who actually hires and fires those positions.

GG: How many directorships or senior-level leadership positions still need to be filled?

CS: Of those, I have hiring authority over, none.

GG: What is the current status of the city’s directorships or senior-level positions?

CS: Going down the list, they are:

City Administrator: Cathy Stepp (Filled by Board)

City Clerk: Hillary Briand (Filled by Board)

Communications Director: Lisa Rau, effective March 15, 2023

Finance Director: Ben Hart, Baker Tilly

Fire Chief: Ted Martin

Human Resources Director: (To be announced March 17; start date the following week.)

Technology Director: Chad Forester, Legal (To be filled by Board)

Parks and Recreation Director: Cindy Shook

Planning and Development

Director: Mark Colussy, effective March 27, 2023

Police Chief: Eric Schmitt

Public Works/Engineering Director: Michael Woods, effective March 20, 2023

Utilities Director: Kendall Powell

GG: Are you satisfied that the current directors will take the city in the direction you want it to go for the next five years?

CS: I am ecstatic about the direction that we are going in over the next five years. It’s so motivating to feel the momentum we are starting to experience here internally. The directors have a tremendous forward-moving collegial camaraderie. In the last few weeks, I have sensed a renewed sense of purpose and optimism from our long-term directors and newcomers. They are a team of consummate professionals leading with servants’ hearts, wanting the best return on investment for the tax dollars spent, and putting their soul into delivering that every day.

I’m so proud of this team!

BG: The rumor is that the hiring of Lisa Rau as Communications Director was because the city of Branson wants to take its marketing contract from the Branson Lakes Area CVB and do its own marketing. Would you address that?

CS: That’s false. I appreciate that

someone of Lisa’s caliber would consider coming to work for the city at this point in her career. Her record and reputation precede her. The interview panel made an outstanding choice. The “tool box” she comes into the city with, her experience, and her connections are extraordinary. We have so much work to do in city communications, both internal and

external. She will have plenty on her plate, and “No,” that was not a factor in bringing her onto the team.

GG: What should the directors know about your leadership style?

CS: That I am here to support them, energize them and be their biggest cheerleader. I’ll be standing in front of them if they come under fire, beside them when they want to forward ideas

to the team, and behind them so they know that they’ve got that support if they come under criticism.

GG: What should the public know about your leadership style?

CS: All those same things, and that my foremost objective every day coming to work is how do we better serve the residents and businesses of Branson.

Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

By KERRY DAWN GREEN

FOR THE CAKE

• ½ cup milk

• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• ¼ teaspoon baking soda

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup blueberries, fresh

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1¼ cups sugar

• 2 large eggs FOR THE GLAZE

• ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar

• ¼ teaspoon lemon zest, packed

• 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray loaf pan with cooking spray.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the

milk, lemon zest and lemon juice.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups flour, baking soda and salt.

4. Cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, then scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat in the eggs one at a time, and scrape sides again. On low speed, alternate flour and milk mixture three times. Finally, add the blueberries and fold until evenly combined.

5. Pour into loaf pan and smooth the top.

6. Bake for 50 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once cool, drizzle with glaze.

100 Chiefs Cour t, Branson (Hwy. 248 across from former Mel Tillis Theatre)

A KIRBYVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER HAS BEEN SELECTED CENTRAL BANK’S OUT OF THIS WORLD TEACHER for the month of March. Elizabeth Tredway, above right, is a fifth grade teacher in the Kirbyville School District. Each month a deserving teacher is chosen as the Central Bank Out of This World Teacher. The bank honors an educator who goes above and beyond to help his or her students reach for the stars. Tredway was interviewed live on Legends 106.3, as part of The Upside morning show. She received gifts from Central Bank and Legends 106.3/Ozarks Dynacom, as well as goodies from other area sponsors. “It is a true honor to work in the Kirbyville District and to be a part of our kids’ lives,” said Tredway. To nominate your favorite teacher as the next Out of this World Teacher, visit legends1063.fm, click on the Promotions tab, scroll down to Out of this World Teacher, and explain why your teacher should be Central Bank’s Out of this World Teacher. (Story by K.D. Michaels)

• GARDENING

Continued from page 16

third Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m.; visit www.kalib.org for details. Monthly classes are also available at Taneyhills Library, www.taneyhillscommunitylibrary. org, starting March 28 at 10:30 a.m.

The Taney County Extension Office, https://extension.missouri.edu/locations/mu-extensionin-taney-county, is also offering monthly “Mornings in the Gar-

den,” starting March 21 at 10 a.m. in the demonstration garden in Forsyth.

Be sure to check out all these classes as they encompass a wide variety of topics. Whether you want to start seedlings, garden in limited space, attract butterflies, grow berries, tackle a challenging soil question, preserve your produce, or many other questions, or just meet people with similar interests, you’ll find something fun and interesting.

• RECOGNITION

Continued from page 3

ner Paychex, recognizes leading franchise owners from IFA member brands whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance and promote the franchise business model. Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their service to their communities, fostering a strong and vibrant workforce, opening the doors for career growth and entrepreneurship, and supporting their fellow franchisees.

“We are honored to be recognized by this prestigious IFA award for growing the Grand Welcome concept in our local area,” said Steve Harbour, franchisee owner and operator of Grand Welcome of the Ozarks. “We love the natural beauty of Branson, Missouri, and it is our goal to help others experience everything it offers through personal-

• KATHY BUCKLEY

Continued from page 1

the Ozarks for retirement. Serving as the team lead in her “happy place,” she ensured the room was well-stocked, clean and organized for any Options moms or dads shopping for their baby. Expectant and new parents receive shopping credit at the Resource Room for clinic participation such as keeping up with medical screenings and attending educational classes.

“Kathy will be greatly missed,” said Options development manager Jessica Chambers.

A dedication plaque has been added to the room in Buckley’s honor, and her family has requested memorial donations to Options in lieu of flowers. Visit www. friendsofoptions.com for details.

ized property management.”

There are approximately 800,000 franchised businesses across the U.S., providing over 8.4 million direct jobs and generating over $800 billion in economic output. According to Oxford Economics, franchising on average provides higher wages and better benefits than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater entrepreneurial op-

portunities to minorities, women, veterans and other underrepresented communities.

One of the leading short-term rental property management businesses in the United States, Grand

Welcome is on an upward trend of success and franchisees are finding the systems and processes effective to earn profit within the emerging vacation rental industry. In less than eight months, the Grand Welcome of

the Ozarks franchisees have grown to manage 182 units. They have also earned recognition as an Airbnb super host, which recognizes the best in hospitality and celebrates top-rated and most experienced hosts.

4:10, 7:20

JESUS REVOLUTION E 12:30, 3:50, 6:50

COCAINE BEAR R 1:00, 4:20, 7:00

ANT-MAN & WASP: QUANTUMANIA E 1:10 (2D), 4:10 (3D), 7:20 (2D)

PUSS IN BOOTS W 1:00, 4:00

OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE R 1:00, 4:00, 7:00

A MAN CALLED OTTO E 1:15, 4:20, 7:20

KNOCK AT THE CABIN R 7:10

80 FOR BRADY E 1:10, 4:30, 7:10

Shepherd of the Hills

Shepherd of the Hills

Word find from Beck Museums of Branson

ACTOR CHARACTER

John Wayne Young Matt

Betty Field Sammy Lane

Harry Carey Daniel Howitt

Beulah Bondi Aunt Mollie

James Barton Old Matt

Samuel Hinds Andy Beeler

Marjorie Main (Granny) Becky

Ward Bond Wash Gibbs

Marc Lawrence Pete

John Qualen Coot Royal

Tom Fadden Jim Lane

Olin Howland Corky (Dorothy) Adams Elvy

Virita Campbell Baby

Selmer Jackson Doctor

Sudoku

Don’t miss the 2023 debut of The Best Bets of Branson Live Talk Show, featuring Carrie Anne Mitchell and Shelley Carroll-Drew, Thursday, Mar. 30, at 11:15 a.m., and every Thursday this year, inside the lobby of The Nashville Roadhouse Theater, and streaming live on Facebook,YouTube and TikTok. Our special guests will be Branson entertainer, Stevie Lee Woods, and brother, Greg Tibbs.

Brought to you by our sponsors: Stevie Lee Woods & The Nashville Roadhouse Theater in Branson; The Branson Show Awards, Jim Kast & Michael Wackerly, Branson; The Great Passion Play, Randall Christie, Eureka Springs, AR; The Krafty Kitty Farm, Craft Biz Page & Blog, Kasey Collins, Laddonia, MO; The Consignment Clothing Exchange at The Shoppes At Branson Meadows in Branson; Kenny Portz, aka KenLPComedy from Kirbyville, MO; and Kim Sanchez, owner of Gaga For Glitter, in Alpena, AR. Contact Carrie or Shelly @ 573-7951921 to find out how to become a sponsor of our live talk show.

Residential and Commercial Garage Door Installation and Repair

NOTICES NOTICES NOTICES

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION SUPPORT GROUP meets on the third Thursday of the month at the Branson Senior Center, 201 Compton Dr. #2055. Lunch is available at 11:30 a.m. and the support group begins at 1 p.m. For more information on the support group, you may call 417-598-3122.

Eliminate high heating bills with Central Boiler’s NEW, certified Classic Edge Titanium HDX OUTDOOR WOOD FURNACE. Call Ozark Stove and Chimney today. 417-201-6585

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.

THRIFTY THRUSH vintage, antique furniture. Buy and sell. 105 E. Hensley. Branson 417545-0194.

THE AMERICAN LEGION

POST #220 invites all former and current US Military friends to join us Monday mornings at 9 a.m. for coffee and pastries!! Come join us at Faith Lutheran Church, 221 Malone Dr., Branson, MO. We look forward to meeting you!! HOOAH!!

DAN & KS PROPERTY MAINTENANCE offers cut-in for driveways, clearing land, landscaping, removal and mulching. Call 417559-9741

ACE HOME IMPROVEMENT: Heating and air, HVAC service and repair, doors, windows, decks, fences, pressure washing, interior and exterior painting, siding, roofing, flooring, tile and drywall. Handyman work! Call Ryan: 417-335-1347.

RETIRED LADY with an education background would like to meet a gentleman between 70 and 80 years old for casual dating. Call or text 417-239-9062

GRIEF SHARE SUPPORT

GROUP. February 21st. a new class of Grief Share will begin at the Branson United Methodist Church. This is a 13 week class of support for those who have lost loved ones. We welcome all ages from the community as well as our church family. For questions call Peggy at 641-919-1533. The class will meet every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.in the church library.

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!

IF YOU ARE A MILITARY VETERAN in need of a place to live, please call us and we’ll try to meet your needs.GUMI CAMP

USA 417-559-3892

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

JUNK REMOVAL. All metal hauled off FREE. Call Mark Smith at 417-598-7376.

417-334-9100

OFFICE HOURS: 9am - 5pm

Monday to Friday

TO ENSURE THE BEST RESPONSE TO YOUR AD...

Please make sure your ad is correct in the first issue in which it appears. The Branson Globe is responsible for one day’s charge of the space occupied by the error. If your ad is not correct, call us immediately to have it corrected.

FREE!! ROOMS FOR RENT CONDOS/APARTMENTS HOMES FOR RENT/SALE HOMES FOR RENT/SALE

FREE GOLDEN RETRIEVER

PUPPIES to forever homes! One male, one female. Excellent temperament! House trained with very good trainable natures and perfect for families with children and other pets. I will not rehome to just anyone. Please email me first at: staceymcclelland8@gmail.com and text 312-270-0850.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

RENT TO OWN AUTOS: Low down payment. NO initial taxes & license fees. NO credit check. Free 1 year warranty on motor & transmission. Rent to own your auto today! 1119 E. Hwy. 76, Branson. 417335-5400. renttoownautosbranson.com

TRUMAN DR BRANSON: I’m looking to share my home. I work full-time, I have no children, no pets, I don’t smoke nor drink. I hope to find a quiet, mature woman to rent 2nd bedroom. Room partially furnished. New, raised bedframe with easy storage capacity. House is fully furnished. Tight knit, safe neighborhood. Street parking. Front porch. Sober and clean. No pets. References. $500 monthly. $500 deposit.

WEEKLY MOTEL ROOM RENTAL. Family friendly. Deposit and rule agreement required. Cable/WiFi, fridge and micro included. Branson West 417-272-8414.

AVAILABLE NOW in good Branson locations: #1 – 2 bed/2 bath apartment in a four plex, $800/mo. No pets. #2 – Nice 3 bed/2 bath home with attached double garage. All appliances and W/D, new AC, etc. Excellent Branson location on Greenbriar Dr. $1,600/mo. No pets. Call 417-339-7777

1&2 BR APARTMENTS

1-1/2 BATHS, POOLS, REC. ROOM

$575 MONTH & UP

Furnished Units Available, Lakeviews Availabl CALL 417-546-3334

FOR RENT: 2 BEDROOM DUPLEX. Located in Reeds Spring, off street parking, carport, washer & dryer, dishwasher, paid sewer, water, trash and TV service. $600 a month with $200 deposit. No pets and no smoking. Will be sharing the duplex with the retired owners of the duplex. Six month contract. Call or text, Dennis Ahlvers, 785-564-0523.

FOR LEASE: NICE 3-BEDROOM, 2-BATH HOME. 167 Greenbriar Lane Hollister. Has fenced-in backyard, storage shed, large, covered patio and 2-car attached garage, laminate flooring, custom window blinds. No smokers. $1,100/Mo. Background app. fee $50. Call 417-337-0398.

HOME FOR RENT: 4 BED, 3 BATH three-story home in Indian Point with attached garage, fireplace in a private subdivision. Call 417-294-0474.

LIQUIDATION SALE

Selfie station $5,000

Propane kettlecorn maker $5,000

Brand new Hawaiian ice machine $500

Cotton candy machine w/bubble $500

Stand up kettlecorn machine $300

Two lemon shake-up machines $300

1,000 tshirt transfers - $1,000

CALL...

GARY WAYNE: 417-239-6112

HOME FOR SALE: 2/2 Full baths, open floor plan, blt. 1998, beautiful fireplace, dbl gar., fence, LOCATION! 65 hwy/76, $240k, 520-904-8828

HELP WANTED

NOW HIRING FULL-TIME CASHIER and STOCK PERSON. Please apply in person at VP Fuel/Pitstop Gas Station. 1140 W. Country Blvd. 76, Branson.

PHONE REPS WANTED – No cold calls. $$$. Flexible hours. Casino Bus Trips 417-335-4466 or 417-332-5000

MR. GILBERTI’S PLACE. Now hiring all positions. Fun, working atmosphere. Come in and fill out an application. 1451 Arcadia Club Rd., Hollister.

BRANSON SCENIC RAILWAY: Accepting applications for full-time, onboard Train Attendant, Gift Shop Clerk, Reservation Agent, Concession Attendant. This is a SMOKE FREE – NON-TOBACCO USE business. Pre-employment drug screening. Apply in person – No phone calls. 206 E. Main Street, Branson

POINT LOOKOUT NURSING & REHAB is excited to announce that we are currently hiring RNs, LPNs, CNAs, NAs, CMTs, housekeeping, and dietary staff. We are currently offering a great benefit plan. We acknowledge Covid-19 vaccination exemptions. For more information, call 417-334-4105 or apply in person at 11103 Historic Hwy. 165, Hollister, MO. EOE

Jesusanswered,“Iamthewayandthetruthandthelife.NoonecomestotheFatherexceptthroughme.–John14:6