Branson Globe, December 9, 2022

‘Oh, Holy Night...’

Branson’s Vacation Channel has new owner, exciting future

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

An iconic media platform has sold. Owned by the Earls family for more than three decades, The Vaca tion Channel has been sold to Ozark Mountain Adventure Properties LLC, formed by Chris and Sonja Myer.

The Vacation Channel, described as a televised tour guide, is a prime source of information about all there is to see and do in the Ozarks. The Vacation Channel was most recently owned by Scott and Lisa Earls, but was previously owned by Scott’s father, media legend Charles Earls and wife Scottie.

respected business.

Help us help neighbors in need

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

The Branson Globe is holding their third annual toy and food drive to help make the holiday a little merrier for some in our area,

and we need your help! Each year, Branson Globe read ers and advertisers generously give to help our neighbors that SEE DRIVE, PAGE 3

“We put The Vacation Channel on the air in 1989,” said Scott. “Over 32 years. There are so many people to thank that made The Va cation Channel what it has been for all of these years – lots of help, collaboration and ideas. And, there is nothing else like this community in the world. I love this place, and it has been an absolute privilege to serve it. And, we’ll continue to do that in some form or fashion.”

Chris Myer is honored to be come the owner of such a highly

Said Myer, “Several years ago, I talked to Scott about The Vaca tion Channel, but it just wasn’t the right time. When Scott approached me earlier this year, I re-looked at it and I just thought it was a good opportunity. We feel honored that they approached us to carry on the tradition and the importance of the channel to the community, and we appreciate all they have done to serve Branson through The Vaca tion Channel since 1989.”

For Myer, well known in the SEE VACATION CHANNEL, PAGE 2

The Adoration Scene on Mt. Branson, shines down on Branson Landing during the 74th Annual Adoration Parade on December 4. SEE THE ARTICLE on page 11,

on page 26. (Photo by Cynthia J. Thomas)

Lisa and Scott Earls, with Chris Myer (Special to Branson Globe)

Best clarinet player in the state... for the second time

Submitted to Branson Globe

For the second consecutive year, Reeds Spring’s Madilyn Irvin has been ranked as the best clarinet player in the state. Irvin earned the first chair at the Missouri All-State Band Auditions in Columbia on December 3.

Irvin will be part of the All-State

Band, which will perform at the Missouri Music Educators Associ ation Conference on January 28 at Tan-Tar-A Resort.

This is the third straight year that Irvin has been named to the All-State Band. She was 10th chair as a sophomore, and first chair as a junior and now as a senior.

Best seeks to become mayor again

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

Former Mayor Karen Best has thrown her hat in the ring to again become the Mayor of Branson.

Best served as Mayor from 2017 until 2019, and worked dil igently to bring more commerce

to the area. Best is joined by cur rent Mayor Larry Milton, who is seeking re-election for a second term in office.

Also seeking reelection in April are aldermen Clay Cooper and Ruth Denham.

Branson Chorale Christmas Concert this Sunday

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

Sunday is the day for a highly anticipated special performance.

The “Christmas with the Cho rale” concert is set for Sunday, December 11. This year’s theme is “What Child Is This.”

“It will include the chorale, a

full professional orchestra, a chil dren’s choir, solos, dancers and more,” explained Kyle Denton, director of the Branson Chorale.

“There will be an interactive preshow as you find your seats.”

The “Christmas with the Cho rale” concert is set for 7 p.m. at

Victor Baptist Church, located at 1115 Victor Church Road in Bran son. Pre-show begins at 6:30 p.m.

“The event is free to the com munity, but we are a 501(c)(3) and will be taking up donations at the end of the concert, if anyone feels led to donate,” noted Denton.

Be a Christmas sponsor for Branson Kids today

Submitted to Branson Globe

Help make this Christmas one to remember for kids in Branson Schools. You can make the hol idays a little brighter and a little warmer for nearly 1,000 students. Donations will be used to purchase gift cards for families in need to help them buy Christmas gifts for their children.

The Branson/Lakes Area Cham ber of Commerce and CVB is proud to partner with Branson

• VACATION CHANNEL

Continued from page 1

lodging industry, the purchase of The Vacation Channel was a natu ral next step. Myer has developed a strong media presence in the Branson area with publications including The Flavor of Bran son, Taste of Branson, The Din ing Passport, Branson Vacation Planner, and the Play Branson magazine and show, among other ventures.

When asked what changes one might expect to see at The Vaca tion Channel, Myer replied, “We are in the strategic review phase of trying to determine what stays the same and what changes. We want to honor the past, but we also know that things have to

Public Schools, local businesses and tourism industry partners in hopes of making the holidays a lit tle brighter in our community.

For more than 20 years, Branson Public Schools have been meeting the essential needs of students and their families around the holidays. This “assistance program” was developed as a result of the area’s high poverty rate – with roughly 70% of students on the free and reduced lunch programs.

change in the future. I think try ing to be both entertaining and informative for people will be im portant. And, how do we do that? We want to figure out what works well already, and if something is not working, how do we make it better?”

Myer has already taken a big step by hiring Tom Forster, a wellknown name in Branson tourism, as The Vacation Channel’s Direc tor of Sales and Operations.

“We’re glad to have Tom on board,” noted Myer. “Tom worked at The Vacation Chan nel in the past and has lived and worked in the Branson tourism industry for well over a decade.”

Scott and Lisa Earls will still be a big part of the Branson area.

In 2019, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB partnered with the school system and rebranded the initiative “Bran son Christmas for Kids.” In the first year of the program, just over $600 was raised to buy essential items like hoodies and gloves. In year two, do nations jumped to more than $1,500 to help local students in need.

To donate, please go to https:// www.gofundme.com/f/vzzsj-bran son-christmas-for-kids/donate.

Said Scott, “We are going to focus our efforts on the Branson TriLakes Building and Home Show February 10-12, 2023, at the Cha teau on the Lake, and after the show is over, who knows? We’re looking for new adventures.”

Earls added, regarding Chris and Sonja’s purchase of The Va cation Channel, “I’m very excit ed. I think it’s a good fit for them, and they are terrific businessmen. So the future is bright.”

Chris Myer echoed Earls’ en thusiasm, saying, “I think there’s just great opportunity, and we’re excited for how we can help the community.” You can find The Vacation Channel on area Opti mum cable systems on Channel 6, or digital Channel 36-1.

Reeds Spring senior Madilyn Irvin earns a spot in All State Band for the third time. It’s the second time she’s attained first chair. (Special to Branson Globe)

Reeds Spring Wolves finish as State Runner-Up in Class 3

Submitted to Branson Globe

The history-making season for Reeds Spring High School’s football team ended with a sec ond-place finish in the state. Car dinal Ritter defeated Reeds Spring 46-7 in the Class 3 State Champi onship, played on December 3 at the University of Missouri.

“I am so thankful for this season, and I am so proud to be a Wolf,” said head coach Andy McFarland. “Fifty-five players showed up ev ery single day and gave their all for their team.”

The Wolves’ lone touchdown came on a pass from Blandy Bu rall to Jace Bolin. Running back Preston Blubaugh had 21 carries for 91 yards. Burall threw for 120 yards and a touchdown, and receiver James Dowdy had five catches for 68 yards.

• DRIVE

Continued from page 1

need a hand-up to have a brighter holiday season. We ask for your help again. Please consider donat ing new toys and stocking stuffers and nonperishable food items to help those in need. You can also help us by spreading the word of our toy and food drive to your family and friends. All food, toys, and money collected stays right here in our local area to help our neighbors in need.

This was the first time that Reeds Spring High School had ever played in a championship football game. The team finished

Items may be dropped off at The Flagstore, located at 114 South Commercial Street in downtown Branson, Motel 6 at 1023 West Main Street in Branson, The World’s Largest Toy Museum at 3609 West 76 Country Boulevard, and the Branson Globe Office, 2460 South Business 65, Suite 106 in Hollister.

Food donated will go to Chris tian Action Ministries, as well as being used to fill the blessings boxes in Branson and Hollister.

Toys will be given to the Salvation

the season with a record of 11-3. From all of us at the Branson Globe, congrats Wolves on a great season. We’re proud of you!

Army for their annual toy distribu tion event.

Toys and food will be collected through December 23.

Please help us spread the word, as we work together to make the holidays merry and bright for our neighbors in need. For more infor mation, or to become a drop-off site for this year’s toy and food drive, please contact the Branson Globe at info@bransonglobe.com or K.D. at kdmichaelsbranson1@ gmail.com.

Pets of the Week

AXE is a 4-year-old male. If you fancy a chat, this man is for you. He seeks out attention and wants to be your constant companion. So if you have an open lap or open heart, he will be your forever friend.

ELMER is a 1-year-old male Husky/hound mix. He is a sweet, energetic boy. He will make a great hiking buddy because he loves to run and play. Come meet this cutie.

Reeds Spring finished second in state in Class 3 football. (Special to Branson Globe)

GoFundMe account set up to help displaced Central Taney County firefighter

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

A Taney County firefighter narrowly escaped a fire in his own home recently.

Dekoda Workman, a volun teer for the Central Taney Coun ty Fire Protection District and member of the Taney County Road crew, was asleep when the fire broke out in his Taneyville home.

“I woke up around 1 a.m. with the house on fire,” said Work man. “My first thought was to grab the car keys and get out. I

went back in to get my phone so I could call for help. My dog was outside in the kennel by the house. I grabbed her, then moved my truck and car away from the house so that it would all be safe. I was not injured; I just breathed in a lot of smoke.”

Workman called 911 and then drove to the fire station for equipment to fight the fire.

“I knew it was too big for me to fight alone and without equip ment,” said Workman.

The fire left Workman without

a home, basic necessities and personal belongings.

“I’m focusing on regrouping and planning my next step,” said Workman. “I have a temporary place, but I’m looking for some thing more long-term. I’m not sure of my biggest need at the moment. I’m a pretty simple-liv ing man, and my neighbors, fam ily, co-workers, churches, the community and fire department all gave me overwhelming sup port and acted quickly to give me a place to stay and all the person

Kessinger named Out of this World Teacher

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

John Kessinger of Reeds Spring High School has been named Central Bank’s Out of This World Teacher. Mr. Kessinger teaches Social Stud ies and serves as a coach with the Reeds Spring School Dis trict.

As this month’s Out of This

World Teacher, Mr. Kessinger was featured in a live inter view on KRZK’s The Upside, and received a gift basket of goodies from Central Bank, gifts from KRZK and Ozarks Dynacom, a plaque of recogni tion and gifts from many fine sponsors.

Each month, Central Bank

and KRZK/Ozarks Dynacom recognize a teacher who helps rocket their students to suc cess. To nominate your teach er, visit www.legends1063. fm, click on the Promotions tab and fill in the information. Maybe your favorite Ozarks area teacher will be the next Out of This World Teacher.

al supplies I needed to continue to live and work. I want to give a huge thanks to the fire depart ment and the community for all their help, support and love.”

Workman continued, “I think my most missed belongings would be my hunting and fish ing things. And, my freezer was filled with this year’s hunt.”

Workman has recovered one special item, however.

“I found my Grandpa’s dog tags, as I was rummaging after wards, and my mother is clean ing them back up for me so I still have them,” said Workman.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Workman with ongoing needs, as he works to rebuild his life. To help Workman, visit https://www.go fundme.com/f/central-firefight er-needs-our-support.

DR. KRIS & TRICIA JACKSON, PASTORS

CHURCH, REEDS SPRING, MO

First Amendment to the United States Constitution Congress shall make no law re specting an establishment of reli gion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assem ble, 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

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

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

Dear Dave,

My dad and his wife asked my husband and I for $55,000. They want the money so they can pay off their debt. We’re debtfree and have a net worth of be tween $2-$3 million, but we’re also retired. We don’t keep that

Dave Says: A travel agent for guilt trips

much in the bank, so we’d have to draw from our retirement ac counts—which is something we don’t want to do. They’ve already approached other family members about this, too. His wife is owed money at some point from a fami ly settlement, but they don’t want to wait that long. My dad said we should do this if we want them to get ahead and have anything left in their later years. My dad is 80, and his wife is in her late 70s. My husband and I are both in our 50s. Please tell me how to handle this.

Karla

Dear Karla,

In their later years? I’m not try ing to be mean, but they’re already in their later years. I’m really sor ry you’re in this situation. Even

though you’re in your 50s, he’s still your dad, and I know this hurts your heart. It’s probably even tougher to accept the fact that he’s being ma nipulative. I mean, seriously. What dad calls up his daughter with the idea he’s entitled to $55,000 of her money and starts acting like a travel agent for guilt trips in the process? That’s just wrong.

Look, if the relationship and the situation were different, we might have something to talk about. With your net worth, you’re not going to miss $55,000 out of $2-$3 million. In a good relationship, I’d help my mom or dad like that in a heartbeat— just to help them out because they’re older. But this situation already is what it is. Something tells me this isn’t the first time he’s behaved in a

manipulative way. And if you say yes to this, then I’ve got a feeling it isn’t the first time you’ve caved into him. I’m worried you won’t be able to live with yourself if you do this, and that it may cause a big rift between you and your husband.

It’s wrong of your dad to treat you this way and put you in this sit uation. If you want to tell him your money’s tied up, which it is, or you just don’t like the way it feels, that’s fine. But my advice is to try to step back from the emotions and come to the realization in your own head that no is a complete answer.

You don’t have an ethical or moral obligation to give manipu lative people money just because they’re related to you.

— Dave

Stock Market Insights: Fed pivot

BY DR.

RICHARD

L. BAKER, AIF® Founder & Senior Wealth Advisor at Steadfast Wealth Management

You can’t drag your piv ot foot.” This kid in my

sixth-grade class was a punk and cheated in basketball. In the win ter, we played basketball when we had inside recess. A pivot in basketball is where the kid with the ball can pick up his dribble and move around as long as he doesn’t pick up his pivot foot. The cheater kid would drag his pivot foot around the defender, which is not a legal pivot. Any way, it seems the Federal Reserve may be ready to make a pivot by mid-2023.

There seems to be a light at the end of the Fed rate hike tunnel.

Headline consumer inflation (in flation with food and energy pric es included) slowed last month to 7.7% from 8.2% based on a year-over-year comparison. In addition, core inflation (inflation without food and energy pric es included) was down slightly to 6.3% from 6.5%, according to LPL. While both of these in flation reports are still quite a bit above the Fed’s 2% inflation goal, it does suggest that inflation is heading in the right direction. We can’t say for certain what the Fed will do, but the down

ward trajectory in inflation sug gests they will slow down or stop soon. Analysts suggest they will end their rate hikes in May or June 2023. No one knows for sure when they will pivot, but most agree it will be sometime next year.

A Fed pivot is good news for the market, but history suggests the path to the pivot could be volatile for the stock market. For example, LPL researchers say the S&P 500 historically averages 2% lower in the months leading

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.

DARYL WEATHER Weather Forecaster bransonwx@gmail.com info@BransonGlobe.com • Phone: (417) 334-9100 • 2460 S. Business 65, Suite 106

BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS Staff Writer

The Gospel of Matthew contains a wealth of infor mation for future Christ-follow ers. Inspired by God, Matthew categorically summarizes Jesus’ lineage and birth, his parables

Reflections: Upon this Rock

and teaching, and how he pre pared his disciples for their work of spreading the Gospel after his crucifixion, resurrection and as cension.

I’m really drawn to the con versation in chapter 16. Jesus asks the disciples who people say He is; they answer John the Baptist, Elijah, or possibly an other of the prophets. His next question is, “Who do YOU say I am?” Characteristically, Peter answers for the group: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Liv ing God.” Jesus compliments Peter’s openness to God’s reve lation of truth, and in a play on

words with his name, tells him, “Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

Some denominations focus on Peter personally, or the apos tles as a group, as the “rock” on which the Church will be built, but I believe the statement also applies to Peter’s confession it self—the realization and procla mation of who Christ is.

The verb “prevail” means to demonstrate superior strength; become effective and predomi nant; and continue or persist— all of which Satan attempts to do, every day. Much of the New

Testament records various at tacks of the enemy on the early Church and encouragement to resist them.

The picture, however, is not just of Christians trying to hang on, hunkered down in defense. The Church is also to be on the offensive, storming those gates of hell with truth. The book of Acts is full of references to the apostles’ “boldness,” even after being arrested or beaten. Paul’s letters continue the theme of boldly proclaiming Christ, no matter what.

Just last week, residents of Branson and surrounding com

munities, plus visitors, gathered for a spectacular celebration of Jesus’ birth at the Adoration Parade, with the Nativity Scene prominently displayed on Mount Branson. The next day, though, I was horrified to read that some people in nearby Eureka Springs were demanding a Na tivity scene be removed from the decorations in Basin Park. (See summary story in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette online; the mayor has since decided the Na tivity scene can stay, following public outcry from around the country.)

Been Thinkin’ About... Minute Rice reflection

did allow time for some introspec tion and a heaping helping of Min ute Rice. It had been years since I’d eaten the stuff and many mem ories flooded back:

less luxurious than advertised.

backyards beckon unfulfillingly.

BY JOSHUA HESTON StateoftheOzarks Media & Design

As a few folks know, I’ve been a bit off my feed this week. Not exactly pleasant but it

Late Sunday afternoon suppers on the stained Melmac plates with blue flowers. A winter sun slant ing orange and yellow through the pines. Even an oh-so-cold-andwintry Christmas vacation in the California mountains where the Se quoias towered and the snow blew through chinks in our log cabin, making the claw-footed antique tub

Minute Rice and brown gravy mixed up right from the box. What is easily plain and forgettable — or perhaps even thought of as bad — can be transformed into something magical through certain eyes.

It is the same with the world around us. What is mundane, for gettable, even disliked, can — un der certain circumstances — be come enchanted, filling us with gratitude for the experience. But the grass is always greener on the other side, it seems, and our own

Letter to the Editor: American Red Cross has responded to a year of crises

2022 has been a year of crisis — both seen and unseen — for families and communities.

The big crises the American Red Cross has responded to in clude flooding, tornadoes and daily home fires locally, and we’ve sent disaster responders across the U.S. to help with the extreme disasters such as Hurricane Ian in Florida, Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico, Tropical Storm Merbok in Alaska, severe floods in Kentucky, wild fires in California and the first-ev er national American Red Cross blood crisis in January 2022.

There were personal crises too — unseen to many beyond those

experiencing them: the family whose home was destroyed by fire, the person who needed CPR during a cardiac arrest, the family who needed to contact a deployed ser vice member during an emergency, and the hospital patient who need ed a lifesaving blood transfusion.

For all these crises and more, people throughout the Missouri and Arkansas Region stepped up to help from coast to coast. Our volunteers — who comprise more than 90% of the national Red Cross workforce — along with our finan cial, blood and platelet donors are simply amazing. Although they are ordinary individuals like you and

me, their compassionate gifts make an extraordinary difference in peo ple’s most dire moments.

As crises continue to upend lives every day, we ask everyone to consider giving help and hope for the many people in need of American Red Cross assistance by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, to schedule an appointment to give blood, or to become a Red Cross volunteer.

On behalf of everyone we serve, we thank you for your sup port in 2022!

Stacy Burks, Executive Director American Red Cross of South ern Missouri

The Ozarks are a magical place to me as well as to many others. But the truth? So is nearly every other place on earth.

In each place, no matter what the pay scale of the population or the belief of the people, there is majesty and beauty in something as simple as the early morning sun shining through dew, the way dark streets look when they are wet be neath the blinking red-and-green of a traffic light, the softness of late-autumn leaves blustering be

yond a cold window pane or even the comfort of a hastily prepared plate of Minute Rice with a bit of salt and butter.

There is beauty and comfort around us, even amid sadness, fear and pain. But the bitterness calls, accusing us. “That’s not how the real world works,” say the voices from the darkness. But beyond the voices, beyond the darkness, there is light. There is warmth. There is magic yet. In the end, the choice is ours. Just as it has always ever been.

Train up a child: Children and Santa

light up. In reality, he has been the only reason many people ob serve Christmas.

BY PAT LAMB Columnist

For a long time, Santa has been our society’s fo cal point of Christmas. He, no doubt, has sold many million dollars’ worth of toys. He has produced much laughter. He has caused the eyes of children to

What is the current status of Santa? Our computer-literate generation of children is not eas ily fooled. In truth, how many of us grown-ups ever really be lieved in Santa? Some children were fooled simply because they believed that their parents would never lie to them. Others believed because they thought that by believing, they might get more gifts. Many of us could easily see the impossibility of someone flying around the whole

BY TIFFANY GRAVETT Staff Writer

By Aaron Gravett, Tiffany’s hus band

ejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with

Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Bah Humbug! Well, maybe.

them that weep.”

Romans 12:15

You see them - in church, at work, in the stores. Everything is bright and cheery, but you see them; the ones that seem to not be able to smile, the ones that look at the lights with no joy. Sometimes we see that and say to ourselves, “They are just bah-humbugs,” and wave them off like they don’t matter. Real ize, it may not be a stoney heart that causes this, but a broken heart.

There are many reasons that the Christmas season can leave someone broken. They are see ing families get together and maybe someone is missing this year from death. Maybe broken relationships with a spouse, parents, or children have caused someone to be alone or in the least, wishing for mended rela tionships.

There are a myriad of reasons that someone can be broken. So when you see someone strug gling to smile, or turn away

from a joyful Christmas scene, it may be that they are on the verge of tears from hurting so much.

So how can we help? Pray for them, be there for them, and ac tually listen to them if they need to break down. It’s called the “ministry of presence.”

The Bible has much to say about true joy. It’s the joy that only Christ can give. Some times that joy comes from Christ through a believer that just lets another one know - I’m

here. Sometimes the joy comes from mourning with them first. May this Christmas season be filled with people seeing the hurt of others - praying for them, encouraging them, cry ing with them. May they know Christ truly cares for them through us.

If you are one that is hurting - let Christ heal your heart. Let Him just hold you! Let Him be with you also through someone else. Someone who is “Jesus with skin on.”

up to a Fed pivot but does really well the six months after.

In the months following a Fed pivot, the S&P 500 has an aver

age peak return of around 17% over a 12-month timeframe. So if the Fed pivots somewhere around that May or June 2023 time, we could see around an 11% sec ond-half rally on the S&P 500, according to LPL

Unless we have a hiccup with a railroad strike, I still like the end of this year and the beginning of 2023. I think value stocks will outperform growth stocks un til the pivot, but growth stocks should thrive on falling interest rates and inflation after the pivot.

I didn’t have too many chanc es to mess up a basketball pivot because I was too slow to handle the ball. My six-grade basketball skills were primarily fouling and high-level trash-talking, but I was quick to point out an illegal piv ot! Hopefully, the Fed will piv

ot soon, and the growth “good times” will return.

Have a blessed week! https://www.steadfastwealth.net https://www.facebook.com/ Dr.RichardBaker

2760 East Sunshine St. Springfield, MO 65804

•

Folks, if that doesn’t illustrate the message of Christ vs. the gates

• TRAIN UP A CHILD

Continued from page 7

world in one night and stopping at each house and going down each chimney. We felt that it was insult ing our intelligence to expect us to believe such a far-out story.

Today, we have many fat San tas at malls, department stores, parades, etc. Do we really think that our children are not intelligent enough to figure out that they are too big to fit in a chimney? Even a toddler can question why there are so many Santas.

A bigger question involves the feelings of a child who truly be lieves in Santa because he trusts his parents to never lie, and then finds out that the parents did, in deed, lie to him/her. What hap

of hell, I don’t know what does.

Not only has the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Nativity scenes in Christmas displays, but why/how is Christmas even a thing without

pens, then, when the parents tell the child about an invisible Jesus?

For that matter, can the child be lieve the parents at any time if they deceived them with Santa?

Our children cannot be shielded from Santa. Our society sees to it that Santa is visible over and over. It is a situation we must deal with. We don’t want to rob our children of the fun of Christmas, but, at the same time, we don’t want our chil dren to lose trust in us. A parent cannot avoid making a decision as to how to handle Santa.

One idea for parents is to tell the children that to pretend there is a Santa is a fun game that is played at Christmastime. Just as children play pretend in other areas, parents play pretend with the child about Santa. When little girls play pre

Christ? And the Christmas season is just one example. It’s time to boldly storm the gates of hell, AKA human istic culture and attempts to censor expressions of Christian faith.

tend “mommy” with dolls, or little boys may play pretend “soldier” with Army toys, they do not really think they are grown. It is all right to play pretend as long as children can come back to reality. This stimulates creativity. By letting the children know up front that Santa is a pretend game, future disap pointment is eliminated. It would be a good idea to explain that San ta represents giving and making others happy. That is something that Jesus wants us to do.

Santa will probably be around for a long time to come, but de ceiving children should end. We should never lie to children.

It is important that we create a pleasing experience for children at Christmas without leaving them with the feeling at a later time that

Like Peter, we must allow the Holy Spirit to reveal who Jesus is, base our faith on the rock of that realization, and boldly build His Church. Jesus’ next appearance

they have been deceived. Differ ent personalities handle this in dif ferent ways. Ultimately, whatever means are used, children should be left with understanding the real

will be not as a baby but as King of Kings. We know the end of the story. Standing against the gates of hell won’t be easy, but they won’t prevail.

meaning of Christmas. Children need to understand that Christ mas is a celebration of the time that God sent his only son into the world to show His love for us.

The real meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus. (Shutterstock)

Adoration Christmas Parade lights up downtown Branson

By CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer

What started as a “Christmas card to the community” may have become a Christmas card for the whole nation.

Branson Landing Blvd. and Commercial St. through down town Branson were packed with spectators from as close as nearby neighborhoods and as far as sever al states away for the 74th Annual Adoration Parade held on Sunday evening, December 4.

The idea for the parade started just a few years after World War II, when businessman Joe Todd and artist Steve Miller met for coffee and jotted notes onto a napkin about their vision for “a giant Christmas card to the community” sharing the message of the Christ child from atop Mount Branson. As the story goes, Miller was even seen draping bedsheets from his family’s home in the proposed location to deter mine sizes and placements for the

Adoration Scene figures.

Those original plywood figures were destroyed by the tornado that ripped through Branson in 2012, but new—and sturdier—ones were delivered in time for Christ mas that year and continue to be the focal point of the parade and a symbol of Ozark Mountain Christ mas each year.

While awaiting the designated hour of 5:30 p.m. for the lighting of the Adoration Scene, emcee Greg Pyron read the biblical account of Jesus’ birth from Luke 2, followed by greetings from Mayor Larry Milton who thanked the many volunteers, committee members, and city departments that make the parade happen. Prayer was led by Larry VanGilder, a long-time Branson city employee, and a se lection of Christmas music was provided by the LeCroy Sisters.

After the lighting ceremony, spectators were treated to another excellent parade of community

floats and marching units, includ ing high school bands from Bran son, several area communities, and even southeast Kansas. The colors were carried by an Honor Guard representing the Branson Fire Department and Western Taney County Fire Department.

If you weren’t able to attend, check out the Branson Vacation Channel at www.tvcbranson.com for an online viewing experience, and mark your calendar for Sun day, December 3, 2023. Parade Chairman Charlie Ingram reiter ated that it takes a lot of behindthe-scenes work by the committee, and next year’s Adoration Parade being the 75th, he hinted that there are already ideas in the works for making it even more special.

Branson’s reputation as a com munity that honors the true mean ing of Christmas is growing. “We plan a trip around this each year,” said one parade watcher from Okla homa. “It’s so wonderful to see the

Nativity scene and Jesus as the fo cal point of the whole celebration.”

PHOTOS: At right: Downtown look ing festive and getting busy as the sun went down (Photo by Cynthia J. Thomas); Below: The theme of the parade is Jesus! (Photo by George Kurland) WANT TO SEE MORE FROM THE ADORATION PARADE? TAKE A LOOK AT PAGE 26.

The Griswold - A Vacation Cocktail

By KERRY DAWN GREEN

A Winter White that’s sweet and nutty just like the movie.

• 1.5 oz. RumChata

• 1 oz. hazelnut liquor

• 1 oz. half and half

• .5 oz. vanilla vodka

Shake and pour over ice. YUM.

Christmas area appreciation scheduled at Grand Country Music Hall

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

Grand Country Music Hall is holding a special Christmas Area Appreciation for residents of Southwest Missouri and North west Arkansas.

Residents of select counties are invited to attend the Comedy Jambo ree or the Grand Jubilee for only $10 per ticket during Area Appreciation Days, now through December 17.

In Missouri, residents of Taney,

Stone, Christian, Greene, Douglas, Barry, Polk, Laclede, Dallas, Wright, Ozark and Webster counties are invit ed to enjoy area appreciation savings.

In Arkansas, area appreciation rates are extended to those in

Carroll, Boone, Marion, Newton, Benton, Madison, Washington, Searcy and Baxter Counties.

Shows are at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Guests must provide a valid photo ID, and tickets must be picked up

at least one hour prior to show time.

For more information on the Grand Country Music Hall Area Appreciation Days, call 417-3352484, or visit their website, www. grandcountrylivemusic.com.

Area Appreciation Days planned through December 30 at SIX Show

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

Vocal super group SIX is inviting residents of select counties in South ern Missouri and Northern Arkansas to enjoy their show for a special low rate during Area Appreciation Days.

Now through December 30, SIX

is holding Area Appreciation as their way of saying thank you to the amazing locals for their sup port. Residents of select counties can purchase tickets for only $6 plus the donation of two nonper ishable food items per person, to

be donated to Christian Associates. Each resident must present a valid photo ID and may purchase tickets for their immediate family or up to six guests at the special price.

Residents of Barry, Christian, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Jasper,

Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Ozark, Polk, Stone, Taney, Webster and Wright Counties in Missouri are eligible for area appreciation rates.

Arkansas residents of Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Izard, Madison, Marion, Newton,

Searcy, Stone and Washington counties are invited to enjoy area appreciation rates.

This special rate is available only through the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater box office. To pur chase tickets, call 877-SIX SHOW.

Taneyhills Library Thrift Shop to hold Kids’ Shopping Day

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

The Taneyhills Library Thrift Store is holding their second an

nual Kids’ Christmas Shopping Day on Saturday, December 17.

Children of all ages are invit

ed to shop for Christmas gifts for their family and friends. Special “Kids Only” tables will be set aside for children to shop from with special low pricing for the children. Children, however, are welcome to shop through out the entire store. Volunteers will be on hand to help children

with their purchases and to wrap their selected gifts.

Children are also invited to take a few moments to color a Christmas picture and enjoy a Christmas cookie during the special event.

The Kids Christmas Shopping Day is set for December 17, 10

a.m. to 1 p.m. The Taneyhills Library Thrift Store is located in the lower level of the Taney hills Library, 200 South Fourth Street in downtown Branson.

Santa, Mrs. Claus and Prancer visit Branson

Direct from the North Pole, Santa Claus, along with Prancer, one of the finest among his team of reindeer, were spotted along Branson’s 76 Country Bou levard this past weekend. Santa, Mrs. Claus and Prancer will be available for photos now through December 23, when they must return to the North Pole to prepare for Santa’s big night! Santa is in Branson Fridays, Saturdays and Sun days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and his lovely wife, Mrs. Claus, is on hand Mondays through Thursdays 12 noon until 6 p.m. The pair, along with Prancer, have a temporary home next to Apple Tree Mall in Branson. (Photo by K.D. Michaels)

Mochas and Meows expanding

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

Branson’s cat cafe is undergo ing a major expansion.

Opened in November of 2019, Mo cha’s and Meows is located on Falls Parkway. Recently the shop adjacent to Mochas and Meows in the Falls Shopping Center became vacant, and Mary Trexler, owner of the cat cafe, jumped at the chance to expand.

“It had opened as a hookah lounge this summer, but has sat, seemingly unused for the last couple of months,” said Trexler, of the new space.

Trexler, who opened her business with a desire to find forever homes for cats, offers refreshing hot and cold beverages and a limited selec tion of food items at her location. Her current location houses 20 to 25 cats in the cat lounge. Trexler is hoping to double that number.

To date, Trexler and her staff have facilitated the adoption of 174 cats through her facility.

Said Trexler, “The newly ac quired space will become the new main entrance and the cafe space. The space we have now will be come fully for the cats, giving them almost 2,500 square feet for the rescue side of things.”

Mochas and Meows expansion has already begun, and may affect business hours somewhat.

“We’re going to try to stay open as long as we can, but we’ll have to close to the public for at least a couple of weeks,” noted Trexler. “My goal is to be back fully open by March 1.”

Trexler added, “We will have a lot of great events and more com ing with the increased space, so definitely keep an eye out.”

to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

FIND US AT 2805 GREEN MOUNTAIN DRIVE, BRANSON!

My best Christmas ever!

By TIFFANY GRAVETT, Staff Writer

This week, I asked my friends on social media to tell me about their best Christmas ever. I got quite a mixture of replies, from funny to inspirational. As you read these memories from others, may you be uplifted and remind ed of your happiest holidays as well!

• This Christmas is going to be the best ever. In the beginning of November, I was jobless for a few months. I lost my vehicle, and was going to lose my apartment. However, I was able to say the words “But God.” God showed up. My church paid my rent off allowing me to keep the apart ment, and then was able to get a used vehicle. The reason this will be the best Christmas is because I feel closer to God. I won’t be able to be with fam ily, however, I will be close to God, in church, and prais ing God for the gift he gave to give myself and others a chance to have eternal life with him. I learned that when life gets crazy, God is close.

This Christmas is not about gifts I have received, but it’s about me being able to share this story with people and to maybe bless someone else. God is awesome.

• When I realized I didn’t have to be good because Santa wasn’t real.

• 1984. A Colecovision. Games. And a G.I. Joe Hovercraft!

• Every Christmas with Mom and Dad (Those days have passed).

• Every Christmas watching the delight in a child’s eyes as they open a gift they real ly wanted. It’s the best when they are from the ages of two to six, but maybe a little older depending on the child.

• One year, my parents asked my brother and I if we would agree to use some of the mon ey we would normally buy presents with to instead buy a food basket to give to a family who was struggling. We both said yes without hesitation. I can remember how much fun it was going to the grocery store and picking out the big

Reader’s Corner: Check out new arrivals at area libraries

By CYNTHIA J. THOMAs, Staff Writer

With all the special Christmas shows, school and church pro grams, etc., going on right now, it’s hard to find a few quiet min utes to read. For some people, though, that situation changes as soon as the holiday season winds down. (It can also change with a good ol’ snow day, if events are canceled—prayers for those folks who have to brave bad weather and work anyway!)

A good way to be prepared for downtime is with a “to read” list, either to download or having some purchased or library books on hand. I recently was privileged to sit near Kimberling Area Library volunteers at a meeting, and one recommended Celeste Ng’s “Our Missing Hearts.” Not only is it a popular new title with library pa trons, but it was one she person ally highly recommended. After a quick online search, reading a few

reviews, and reading an excerpt, I could see why this dystopian nov el about a mother’s love is shak ing up book clubs everywhere and promptly added it to my own list.

At Taneyhills Library, staff re port several new titles are popu lar. Again, a quick search shows book club review sites agree, so check out these titles (see what I did there?), especially those by au thors you already enjoy:

• “Desert Star” by Michael Con nelly

• “Patterson” by James Patterson

• “Demon Copperhead” by Bar bara Kingsolver

• “NO Plan B” by Lee Child and Andrew Child

• “Going Rogue” by Lee Child and Andrew Child

• “Anything” by Colleen Hoover

Of course, books can be a great Christmas gift (for some people, a bookshelf might be another idea). Let us know what you’re enjoying, or what new books you receive as gifts!

Families enjoy Hollister’s Santa in the Park

By CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer

Area families enjoyed Christ mas giveaways and activities on Sunday, December 4, at “Santa in the Park,” held at Hollister’s Chad A. Fuqua park near City Hall. For merly known as “Santa Train,” the annual celebration by the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce is as sisted by the City of Hollister and area schools, nonprofits and com munity groups.

As families made their way around the perimeter of the park, they enjoyed hot cocoa from the

College of the Ozarks Culinary Studies Department along with popcorn, orange drink, water bot tles, cookies and lots of candy from the various groups. Santa Claus was on hand for photo opportuni ties with his sleigh, and Prancer the reindeer posed for plenty of pictures and petting. Even the Grinch made an appearance, greeting children as they started their trip around the park.

A face-painting booth was a pop ular stop, as was Ronzo with his balloon sculptures. At the “Letters to Santa” table, children colored a

special letter page and added their Christmas lists, after checking a box for “Naughty,” “Nice,” or “I can explain,” before putting the let ter into Santa’s mailbox.

Chamber members expressed thanks to the community partners who have helped make the event a success as it transitions from the “Santa Train” format due to ongo ing regulatory changes following COVID-19. With everyone pitch ing in—and a little more season able weather than the warm day last year—it was a wonderful, Christ mas-y afternoon.

Forsyth Music Department to present concert

By CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer

The Forsyth High School Music Department invites the communi ty to their Christmas concert, to be held Sunday afternoon, December 11, at 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Forsyth High School.

The Forsyth band has had sched ule and format changes under new band director Philip Thomas this year. Three groups will perform: High school band; 7/8 middle school band; and 6th grade begin ning band. Thomas said all three groups are excited to share their

musical progress and Christmas spirit in a concert format, follow ing their busiest marching season since pre-Covid years.

In addition to the band per formances, the Forsyth Middle School choir will perform, direct ed by Mrs. Payton Burnett. Fol lowing the concert, refreshments will be served in the Performing Arts Center lobby.

The high school marching band will also participate in the Forsyth community Christmas parade at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 10. Plan to come out and hear some sounds of the season!

Young guests enjoyed petting Prancer the Reindeer. (Photo by Cynthia J. Thomas)

Freedom Journey Show and area appreciation continue through December 17

By CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer

The cast and staff of the Free dom Journey Show at Branson’s

Freedom Encounter Theater, 3220 Falls Parkway in Branson, invite the community to attend one of the remaining performances in their

2022 season. Shows are scheduled for December 8, 9, 10 and 15, 16, 17, at 10 a.m. Thursdays and Fri days and 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Using a live cast and musicians combined with video and costumed re-enactors, this show tells the story of tyranny, faith and freedom over the centuries. As one reviewer put it, “It’s the perfect blend of encourage ment, education and inspiration,” giving families a great foundation for teaching children the importance of preserving the freedoms we enjoy in the United States of America.

Freedom Encounter founders and

directors Darren and Tammy Myers also give a shout-out of appreciation to artist Jack Dawson, whose pa triotic and inspirational artwork is featured in the Freedom Encounter gift shop. On Friday, December 16, the Dawsons will be at Freedom En counter starting at 9 a.m. for a meet and greet prior to the 10 a.m. show, and Jack will sign art purchases.

Dawson began his art career in the 1970s and was a long-time fea tured artist at Silver Dollar City. Since 1999, his “Seek and Find” pieces with a hidden image of a bib lical concept have been immensely

popular. In addition to Freedom Encounter, Dawson’s work is on display and available at the gift shop of The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs. A wonderful selection of art, gifts and décor is also available online at www.jackdawson.com.

For the past three years, Jack and Nancy Dawson have donated a portion of the profits from sales at Freedom Encounter to help de velop projects at the theater. “We appreciate Darren and Tammy’s ministry and vision so much,” said Nancy Dawson. “We share their passion for education about our country’s spiritual roots, and are glad to be associated with them.”

Local appreciation ticket price for the Freedom Journey Show is just $10; out-of-area price is $22.22, and children ages 12 and under are admitted free. Visit www.freedomjourneyshow.com to reserve tickets. Follow on Face book and at www.freedomencoun tertheater.com for exciting updates for the 2023 season.

BIG ESTATE JEWELRY COLLECTION - 14K ring with 6.40 ct oval diamond soli taire 14K ring with 2.35 ct. round diamond solitaire; 14K ring with 2.20 ct. ra diant cut diamond solitaire; 14K ring with 1.76 ct. diamond solitaire; 14K ring with 2 ct. diamond bezel and 1903 $20 Liberty gold 18K ring with 1 ct. cushion cut diamond solitaire and 1 ct. of other diamonds; 18K ring with large laven der Jade stone and 7 diamonds; 14K ring with 1.50 ct. princess cut diamond solitaire and 3 ct. other diamonds; 14K ring with 1 ct. round diamond set and 1 ct. other diamonds; 14K ring with 4.79 ct. ruby and 1.40 ct. diamond; 14K ring with 3.20 ct. aquamarine and 1.15 ct. diamond; 14K ring with 5.40 ct. aquama rine and 1 ct. diamond; 14K ring with 20 ct. amethyst and 2 ct. diamond; 14K diamond ring with fine 1 ct. diamond solitaire and 8 other diamonds. Special Events - 18 K Rolex double quick set with diamond dial bezel complete with box and papers; like brand new. Movado ladies wrist watch 14K diamonds with 10 ct. ruby and 1 ct. diamonds; 14K ring with 1.10 ct. pear shaped dia mond solitaire; 10K gold cross on gold chain; 14K earring studs with 1.47 ct. diamond (.75 ct. each side); 14K bracelet with 11 ct. diamonds; nice selection diamond cocktail and cluster rings; several colored stone ring with diamonds. Lots of stainless wear chains; all gold; diamonds and gem stones guaranteed authentic; several antique pocket watches including Railroad and 21 J. watch es. Platinum Bracelet with 25 Diamonds over 20 ct.

RARE COIN COLLECTION - A rare 1893 S Morgan Dollar VG Condition; lot of Carson City Morgan Dollars; A rare 1795 Heraldic Eagle bust dollar; lots of un circulated early date Morgan dollars; complete set of American Eagle dollar; bag of 300 full date Buffalo nickels; over 100 walking Liberty half dollars; run of proof sets (31 years); scarce Buffalo silver dollar proof set; Gold - US $20 Liberty and $20 St. gaudens gold; $10 Indians and Liberty’s; US $5 Indian gold; 2 rare classic head $5 gold; 2 1/2 d Liberty and Indians; rare $1 gold princess; over 30 early date gold coins; Bullio 0 US $50 gold 1 oz. Eagles; 2 $50 gold Buffalo; Silver - 5 100 oz. silver bars; over 300 1 oz. Buffalo silver rounds; 5 and 10 oz. silver bars; over 70 common silver dollars; all coins gold and silver.

ANTIQUES AND FURNITURE - Fine Hard rock hand made dinning room set with hutch; table with two leaves and eight matching chairs; beautiful col lection of Persian carpet; both room size area; and runners; nice selection of fancy cut crystal saved for this special auction; oak cylinder roll desk; fancy oak and walnut parlor table; fancy oak corner cabinet; and much more. Guar anteed authentic.

PRIMITIVES AND DECORATIVE - Old crock jars and jugs; barn lanterns; wash boards; oak and walnut kitchen clocks; butter churns; carved Wooden bowls; wooden boxes and crates; mice selection both old and newer advertizing signs; oil and gas can and other IW porcelain and metal; collection cast iron toys and banks; leaded glass windows; Mills 5 cent slot machine; cowboy & western buffalo skull; large snake skin on board; large royal elk mount; ante lope head mount; mule head mount; other taxidermy; law officers badges, zebra rocking horse.

GREAT TAXIDERMY COLLECTION - Raccoons, Badger, Deer, Elk, Bear, African INDIAN ARTIFACTS - Large collection stone azs; cents; banner stones; bird stone; Steven Pipes and idols; Bio collection flint arrow and sharp points up to 19” long; nice collection Caddo and Queer pottery.

ANTIQUES FIREARMS - Colt single action army 45 engraved with Stag gripes MFG 1886; other old single action colt TWC nickel plated; single Action Army Cavalry Revolver - DFC Inspected (Clark); old sharp Derringer in box; set with boot pistol in box; rare Colt 12 gauge coach gun; marked WF & Co; Win chester MDC 1873 22 short caliber; other old mdc 1873 and 1876 riffles in different calibers; a large mdl 1860 brass frame henry with rare peep sight; a rare 1873 Winchester long deluxe model; a nice clean set of antique firearms’ a collection of pocket and hunting knifes.

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION FOR OUR CUSTOMERS - Christmas Special: a great food buffet including both smoked turkey and ham; drawings for free merchandise each hour and a 1 ct. diamond ring drawing at the end of the auction Saturday evening.

Jewelry • Auto • Antique Gun Collection • Rare Coin Collection • Antique Furniture • Indian Art & Artifacts • Bronze Statuary • Primitive Antique & Decorator Furniture. A partial list includes...

News briefs from around the Branson/Tri-Lakes area

Table Rock Chamber of Commerce wins awards

Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce in Kimberling City was recently the winner of three “Best in State” Awards of Excel lence from the Chamber of Com merce Executives of Missouri (CCEM).

Table Rock Lake Chamber won for its 2022 Vacation Guide, Table Rock Lake map, and its week ly member e-newsletter. Table Rock Lake Chamber was the only Chamber in the state to receive three awards.

The awards were presented at CCEM’s annual conference held November 4-6 in Hermann, MO.

“It is such an honor to be recog nized by our state Chamber Fed eration organization,” said Table Rock Lake Chamber President/ CEO Sheila Thomas. “It was truly

a surprise to win three awards and quite a testament to the hard work of our Chamber team. They take their commitment to our member ship and our community very seri ously, and while it’s wonderful to be recognized, it’s our impact on our community that is important to us.”

USACE announces seasonal closure of Dewey Short Visitor Center

The Dewey Short Visitor Center closed for the season Dec.1 and will reopen March 1, 2023. The surrounding grounds, picnic facili ty and the 2.2- mile Lakeshore Trail to State Park Marina will remain open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 2023 Dewey Short Visitor Cen ter hours:

• March 1–May 27: Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

• May 28–Sept.4: Seven days a week, 9 a.m.–4.pm.

• Sept. 5–Nov. 30: Tuesday–Sat urday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

For the latest information on Ta ble Rock Lake please visit www. swl.usace.army.mil/Missions/Rec reation/Lakes/Table-Rock-Lake/. Recreation information can be found on the Internet at www.swl.

usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/littlerocku sace, and on Twitter at www.twit ter.com/usacelittlerock

Tanger Outlets Branson partners with The Lumistella Company to send shop pers on The Elf on the Shelf magical scavenger hunt

Tanger Outlets Branson is once again partnering with The Lu mistella Company, makers of the globally-recognized iconic brand The Elf on the Shelf® to get shop pers into the festive spirit this hol iday season. Teams of Scout Elves are hidden around the center for families to find through a free, funfilled interactive adventure. This exclusive Tanger Outlets Branson The Elf on the Shelf® Scavenger Hunt takes place now through Dec. 24.

“We’re welcoming back some playful guests to the center to help us ring in the holidays,” said Tan ger Outlets Branson Marketing Di rector Karen Foutch. “Tanger Out lets Branson has put a festive twist on The Elf on the Shelf holiday tradition, and we’re inviting ev eryone to get involved. Through out the holiday season, guests can join us in a special festive mission: solving clues to find hidden Scout Elves while they shop!”

Guests can pick up a free Scav enger Hunt booklet at Shopper Services at Suite 120 to begin their journey. Filled with entertaining, interactive clues, the booklets will guide families around the center in search of crafty Scout Elves. After discovering the Elves’ hiding spots, guests may return the completed booklet to Shopper Services to be

Brian Gerau, President of Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missou ri, Sheila Thomas, and Dan Mehan, President/CEO of Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Special to Branson Globe)

• NEWS BRIEFS

Continued from page 24

entered in a gift card giveaway.

“This holiday season we are very excited to once again bring merry moments to Tanger Outlets visitors through joyful, interactive experi ences that spread Christmas cheer and showcase the magic of Santa’s North Pole,” said Christa Pitts, CoCEO of The Lumistella Company.

To learn more about The Elf on The Shelf Scavenger Hunt at Tanger Outlets, visit tangeroutlets. com/elfontheshelf. For more in formation on the center’s holiday events and sales, visit tangerout lets.com/branson, and connect on Facebook and Instagram.

Elevate Branson’s Up With Kids Winter 2022 has begun

Your spare change can go a long way in ensuring children of low to middle income families in the Branson community have contin ued access to nutritional meals and the resources they need through

the holiday season. Food insecuri ty is at its greatest when school’s not in session, and that’s why we also run Up With Kids! during the Christmas season.

Help us meet physical, emotion al, educational and social needs for our area children through the winter months.

Drop your spare change in our Up With Kids! buckets at these lo cal businesses:

AJ’s One Stop, Arvest Bank, Auntie Anne’s, Big O’ Tires Bran son, Big O’ Tires Hollister, Body Works Day Spa and Salon, Branson Bank (Gretna), Branson Bank (The

Falls), Branson Family Dentistry, Branson Famous Baldknobbers Show, Branson Meadows Cine mas 11, Branson United Methodist Thrift Shop, Branson Veterinary Clinic, Candy Emporium, Central Bank 248, Comet Cleaners.

Commercial Street Coffee, Fa mous Dave’s, First Community Bank of the Ozarks (Branson), First Community Bank of the Ozarks (Forsyth), First Community Bank of the Ozarks (Hollister), Fud druckers, Gourmet Bouquet, Great Southern Bank, Green Mountain Lube & Wash, IMAX Branson, JC Dry Cleaners, Local Flavor

Branson, Nature’s Wonders, Or lando Sun Tanning, Pennzoil Lube, Ruby’s Food & Fuel, Starvin’ Marvin’s, The UPS Store, Titanic Museum Attraction, Vintage Paris, Vision Clinic and WonderWorks. Business and individual donations may also be made online at https://el evatebranson.org/donate/ and select the donation option: Up With Kids!

For additional businesses wish

ing to donate and be listed as spon sors, please contact Matt Grind staff at 417-598-0962 or Matt. Grindstaff@ElevateBranson.org. More information is also on our website at ElevateBranson.org.

FREE Hands-Only CPR class offered Dec. 15

The Rotary Club of Hollister and Taney County Ambulance District

.

PHOTOS FROM BRANSON’S 74th ANNUAL ADORATION PARADE – Clockwise from above: Branson Fire Department (Photo by George Kurland); Jesus is Our Comfort (Photo by George Kurland); emcee Greg Pyron (Photo by George Kur land); the Holy Family (Photo by George Kurland); festive lights in downtown (Photo by Cynthia J. Thomas); a joyful Jeep (Photo by George Kurland)

Continued from page 25

are partnering to save lives. You are invited to invest one hour to partner with us. Register today for the FREE hands-only CPR class to be held December 15 from 9-10 a.m., at the Taney County Ambu lance District, 106 Industrial Park Drive, Hollister. (Park at the rear of the building.)

Hands-only CPR can buy pre cious time to save a life until trained medical personnel arrive. About 40 people each hour have a cardiac arrest while not in the hos pital (350,000 people a year), and nine out of 10 of those individuals will not survive.

The registration link for the De cember 15 Hollister Hands-Only CPR is https://hollisterchamber. net/event-4823374/Registration.

Taney County Health De partment offers free Shingles vaccine

The Taney County Health De partment (TCHD) is offering FREE shingles vaccines. The Shingrix vaccine is available to Missouri residents. To qualify for the free Shingrix vaccine, you must be:

• Age 50 or older

• Uninsured or having insurance that doesn’t cover the Shingrix vaccine

• Missouri resident

“Shingles is caused by varicel

la zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox,” states Erica Craig, Clinical Manager at TCHD. “This virus can lay dormant for many years and then activate and cause shingles.”

According to the CDC, about one out of every three people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. If you have had chickenpox, you can get shingles. The risk of shingles in creases as you get older.

Shingles is a painful blistering rash that develops on one side of the face or body. The blisters typically scab over in seven to 10 days and fully clears in two to four weeks. Shingles can cause long-term complications including long-term nerve pain called pos therpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN occurs in the same area where the shingles occurred and can last for months or years after the rash goes away. The pain can be so severe and debilitating it can interfere with everyday life.

The Shingrix vaccine is 97% effective in people ages 50-69 and 91% effective in people ages 70 and older.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact the Taney County Health Department at 417-334-4544, visit our website at www.taneycohealth.org, or like our Facebook, Instagram and Pin terest pages.

Blue Christmas Service to be held at St. Mark’s

Our Blue Christmas Service is a reminder to anyone struggling that God has not forgotten them and the Church has not forgotten them. Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the first Christ mas without a loved one who has recently died; it may be a time that has always been difficult. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness. We need encourage ment to live the days ahead of us. God loves us unconditionally and is with us always. You will find this love, peace and hope at our Blue

Christmas Service at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church located at 3 Northwoods Dr. (at James River Rd.) on Wednesday, December 21, starting at 5:30pm.

Mayor and aldermen can didacy declarations open for April election

The City of Branson Clerk’s office will accept Declarations of Candida

cy for the mayor and three aldermen seats for the spring local election through December 27, 2022.

Each of the City’s three Wards will have an alderman position on the bal lot as will the position of mayor.

For more information and the 2023 sample election packet, visit the Boards & Committees section of the city’s website, BransonMo.Gov.

Branson/Tri-Lakes education briefs: Our area schools are awesome!

Branson Junior High Students present ‘Seussical’

Watching older students have fun in school-sponsored activities inspires our younger learners to get involved at their grade level and pursue their own interests.

“I’m so proud of these students,” says Segura.

Branson students planning for the future

The Branson Junior High The atre Department recently present ed ‘Seussical’ the musical. This was a performance the whole fam ily could enjoy and was directed by Branson Junior High teacher, Holli Segura.

The cast also performed pre views of the show for students and staff at Buchanan Elementary and Cedar Ridge Elementary. Students laughed together as these perform ers brought everyone’s favorite Dr. Seuss characters to life.

Branson High School students were provided the opportunity to tour several local area colleges and universities this fall. The High School Counseling Department organized and led these important educational visits. These college tours provided valuable opportu nities for students to consider their post-secondary plans.

“We visited the campuses of OTC Table Rock, Missouri State University, College of the Ozarks, Drury University and Evangel University,” says Branson High School Sophomore Counselor, Janae Schneider. While on campus students were given tours of the

classrooms, dorm rooms, and had the chance to eat in dining halls. Students also heard from admis sion representatives at each school about their specific offerings and programs. “These trips not only allow students to gain an under standing of area colleges, but truly motivate them towards the future as they picture themselves on campus one day,” says Schneider. Students enrolled in the GO CAPS Education Strand also had the opportunity to go on college

west Baptist University, students

learned more about their College of Education. “We toured the cam pus and were able to speak with faculty from different disciplines in education, talk with current students and hear from a panel of educators about their ‘why’ for choosing a career in education,” says Education Strand associate, Dominic Giannotti. Students were also able to eat lunch on campus and learned about ways to become involved in student life.

During Bobcat Day at College of the Ozarks, students learned about the college and its mission through the work program. Stu dents also attended an arena-style event showcasing the available areas of study at College of the Ozarks. Giannotti says, “These experiences have been the most iconic parts of the year!”

FBLA attends National Leadership Conference Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members attend

ed the National Fall Leadership Conference held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver last month. This event serves as an opportunity for students to partic ipate in motivational general ses sions, professional development and career planning workshops. All attendees had the opportunity to hone their business skills in an area of interest to them by diving into a particular business track, such as entrepreneurship, financial literacy, ethics, workforce readi ness, communication and more.

The cast of Seussical (Special to Bran son Globe)

Branson students participate in col lege tours. (Special to Branson Globe)

Branson FBLA members Clara Dean and Reese Cornelison (Special to Branson Globe)

• SCHOOLS ARE AWESOME

Continued from page 29

Students also spent time attending breakout sessions and roundtable dis cussions with other student leaders.

Clara Dean, FBLA National Social Media Ambassador, and Reese Cornelison, Branson FBLA Vice President of Communica tions attended this two-day event. They chose the “Can You Hear Me? Communication & Culture Redefined” business leadership track with keynote speaker Bry ant Collier of B. Collier Speaks. “Dean and Cornelison learned

that communication is the essen tial bridge that connects what you offer to the needs of others,” says Branson High School FBLA Ad viser, Alisa Cornelison. This lead ership track explored the aspects of all communication from where you communicate to how to con vince your team to speak the same language of your culture.

Missouri FBLA has nearly 17,000 members in 500 chapters across the state, making it the sec ond largest chapter in the nation. The FBLA mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship

through innovative leadership and career development programs.

Gibson Technical Center’s

Professionals of the Month recognized

Each month, Gibson Technical Center recognizes two students for outstanding work. December’s Professionals of the Month are Lleyton Luken and Chris Lair.

who is also enrolled in GTC’s Col lision Repair program.

Gibson Technical Center is part of the Reeds Spring School Dis trict and also serves students from 10 other districts in Stone, Taney, and Christian counties.

Reeds Spring High School

Students of the Month named Pictured left to right: Zoey Pat ton, Christian Begley, Jesse Foster, Harley Watson and Neeley Hime.

Reeds Spring Primary School and has worked for the district for 29 years.

“Joyce does her job well even under unpleasant circumstances,” said Judy Eye, the administrative assistant for the food service de partment. “She tries to look at the bright side of a situation and is the glue that holds her staff together.”

Luken is a junior who attends Reeds Spring High School and is enrolled in GTC’s Collision Repair program.

Lair is a senior

Reeds Spring School Dis trict announces Excellence Award winners

Every month, the Reeds Spring School District recognizes one non-teaching staff member and one certified teacher as Excellence Award winners. November’s re cipients were Joyce Morris and Stephanie Smith.

Morris is the kitchen manager at

Smith has been the counselor at Reeds Spring Primary School for 20 years.

“Her greatest asset as a counsel or is her interactions with students. She easily forms bonds and rela tionships with students through her patient, kind and empathetic approach,” said elementary school counselor Rhonda Davis.

The district accepts Excellence Award nominations from students, staff, parents and community members. You can find the nom ination form at www.rs-wolves. com.

from Branson

College of the Ozarks Band and Jazz Ensemble Concert held at Keeter Center

By CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer

The College of the Ozarks Con cert Band and Jazz Ensemble pre sented a Christmas concert on Fri day evening, December 2, in the Royal Oak Forum at the Keeter Center. The groups were conducted by Kevin Powers, associate profes sor of music and director of bands.

Adding the Jazz Ensemble to the Christmas concert was new this year, according to Powers, but it was a popular addition as the capac ity audience obviously enjoyed the swinging “big band” arrangements of “Winter Wonderland,” “Joy to the World,” and “Away in a Manger.”

The Concert Band program included holiday favorites “A Christmas Festival,” “Good King

Wenceslas,” “March of the Toys,” “Silent Night,” and “The Trom bone King.” A patriotic section included “United We Stand: An American Medley,” as well as the world premiere of “For Which We Stand,” a patriotic trumpet con certo by composer Paul Murtha featuring Bob Smither as soloist. Smither teaches trumpet at C of O and is well-known around the Branson area for performing at pa triotic and veterans’ events.

Introducing the patriotic music, Powers spoke about the blessing of living in a country where the true meaning of Christmas can be cele brated, and the importance of hon oring and remembering those who defend that freedom. He shared his thankfulness for the true meaning

of Christmas—the birth of God’s Son and the gift of salvation for ev eryone who chooses to trust Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The audience showed their agreement by enthusiastically participating in a sing-along of Christmas favorites following the patriotic segment.

The Christmas Concert, a pop ular tradition at the College, fol lowed the lighting ceremony for the festive Christmas tree at the Keeter Center and a reception featuring popular treats baked at the Center. Follow the Music De partment Facebook page for future concert and recital events, and make plans to stop by the Keeter Center to enjoy the beautiful holi day decorations or make a reserva tion for a festive meal.

Overwidth hauling permit extended through March 1

Submitted to Branson Globe Missouri Department of Trans portation has extended the special overwidth hauling permit for hay at no cost through March 1, 2023 in an effort to aid the agricultural community.

To obtain a permit, hay haulers should visit modot.org/mce to log in and use MoDOT Carrier Express to order hay permit(s).

Call MoDOT’s Motor Carrier Services office at 1-800-877-8499 if you have questions. Those who hold the special hay permit that ex pires on Dec. 1 will be issued one that expires on Dec. 31, 2022, and a second that is effective Jan.1 through March 1, 2023.

C of O Concert Band (Photo by Philip Thomas)

Annual Branson Family Gifting Show is Monday

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

A show on Monday night will benefit some special families.

Hosted by Joyful Heart Music Foundation, the annual Branson Family Gifting Show is a way to bless foster families in Taney and Stone Counties.

“It started in 2014,” said Melonie Barber. “I am a foster and adoptive mom. I’ve fostered 29 kids from Stone and Taney Counties and ad opted three children, along with the five birth children I have. And, I now have a stepdaughter. I’ve just had it in my heart to appreciate the foster family because they are front line workers. The moms have to do ex tra laundry, extra doctor visits, extra running for visitation with the par ents, and the compensation for that isn’t huge. The kids are sharing their mom and their dad and their home. And, the parents are stretched.”

Barber continued, “God just put it in my heart to bless them, and so we started the first year down at the Historic Owen Theater. We had 10 families that year. In 2015, we moved it to Music Center. In 2017, Chisai Childs said to go see Brandon Mabe. We had the show

at their old Baldknobbers Theater then, and since, it has been at the Branson Famous Theatre.”

The show is a way for Barber’s nonprofit organization to give to the families who give selflessly to help children in need. This year Barber, with the help of the community, will provide entertainment and gifts to ap proximately 40 area foster families.

“Every year, I reach out to all these foster families in Taney County and Stone County and send out a flyer to let them know about the event. Foster families have to register with me as far as the gifting is concerned because I would be heartbroken if a family came and I didn’t have any gifts for them,” said Barber.

Gifts presented to the foster families are items generously do nated from the community. This year, three area churches have stepped up to help Barber and her organization collect donations of all types – an oil change, a haircut, bedding, towels and washcloths, a loaf of bread, and so much more. The items will be divided up, placed in baskets and taken to the theatre for Monday’s show.

The 90-minute show on Mon day will feature Branson favorite Jim Barber, as well as a stellar lineup of Branson talent, includ ing Gary Dooms, Harmony Trio, Randy Plummer, Penny Car din-Loden, Dylan Pratt, Ali Good (2020 Josie Awards Newcomer of the Year) and others.

Said Barber, “Hoofprints on my Heart will bring their miniature horses, dressed as reindeer, so kids can take pictures. Police Chief Jeff Matthews will be there, too. It will be a full show. There’s always a lot of excitement.”

While foster families are admit ted for free, the show is also open to the public.

“The public is welcome to come,” said Barber. “We are a 501(c)(3). Joyful Heart Music Foundation’s mission is to bring healing through the gift of music. We just ask for a $15 donation at the door. It helps us to take care of things and keep going.” SEE GIFTING SHOW, PAGE 37

Holiday activities continue at The Brook Wellness Center, thanks to community support

they jumped right into Christmas events after hosting a delicious Thanksgiving dinner for over 200 clients and family members.

By CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer

The Brook Wellness Center staff is thankful for the commu

nity’s support in helping make the holidays special for their clients and families this year. Staff and volunteers are working hard as

“No-Shave November” raised $1,100 for the Teen Scholar ship Fund, which helps provide much-needed counseling for teens struggling with mental health or substance abuse, or whose families are affected, who do not have insur ance to cover such services. Check the Brook Wellness Center Face book page for the awesome beard fi nalists and the winner, “Santa Tim.”

On Friday, December 2, director Rosie Robinson took to Facebook Live for Brook-A-Thon, updat

ing viewers and live guests with a preview to next year’s planned events. She reviewed the many 2022 events and shared plans for 2023, including the history and vision of The Brook, and T-shirts were sold, $12 each or 2 for $20, with proceeds going to the Schol arship Fund. Shirts are still avail able at that price through Decem ber 31 or while supplies last; visit the Facebook page or website.

Also, The Brook Wellness Cen ter was on hand at Hollister’s Santa in the Park event, passing out lots of candy and helping raise aware ness for the valuable services pro vided at The Brook. The Brook Scholarship Fund helps make sure no person in need of assistance and counseling for mental health and substance abuse issues is ever turned away, even if they do not qualify for other funding sources.

The Christmas Toy Drive for children of client families has also been a great success so far

this year. “We have received some wonderful toys, even larger items,” she said. It’s not too late to make a difference—toys are being accepted through December 9, and some gift cards are still needed for teenagers. Volunteers are needed to help wrap the gifts this Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11. Call Robinson at 417-527-8877 or email rosie@thebrookwell nesscenter.org for details and help brighten a child’s Christmas.

You can still order a T-shirt at the brookwellnesscenter.org. (Special to Branson Globe)

Some of the many toys received for the Christmas Toy Drive so far (Special to Branson Globe)

JATC elves hard at work getting ready for 13th annual Santa’s Gift House

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

The Junior Auxiliary of Taney County’s annual holiday event, Santa’s Gift House, is set for Satur day. The fun event offers children ages pre-K through fourth grade the opportunity to shop for gifts for their family and loved ones.

Gifts, generally unique and handcrafted by JATC members, are available for purchase by the children at a remarkable price of only 50 cents per item. Each child has a JATC “elf” that will help the child shop, and gifts are wrapped following the shopping expedi tion. Direct from the North Pole, Santa himself is hoping to make an appearance at this year’s event.

Santa’s Gift House is set for Sat urday, December 10, 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Branson United Meth odist Church Family Life Center, located at 1208 W. 76 Country Blvd. in Branson.

The high quality gifts include bub ble gum machines, colorful paint

ings, “best dad” gnomes, decorative items, bath salts, scarves, jewelry, Dad’s stache, Mom’s emergency kits, painted candy bowls, shadow boxes and many others. Most of these gifts have been handcrafted by members of JATC and their friends and families so that these children can have meaningful gifts to give to others. The JATC elves have hand crafted over 2,000 gifts to choose from as they are accompanied by JATC members who serve as their personal shoppers. Parents are not allowed in the shopping area.

JATC is more than a nonprof it organization, it’s a group of women united by a single cause and dedicated to helping the chil dren of Taney County. That’s the magic of JATC. It was chartered by a group of caring, enthusiastic women in 1998 and continues to grow and thrive throughout Taney County. Approximately 50 mem bers annually contribute more than 4,000 volunteer hours as they strive to improve the mental, phys ical, social and emotional well-be ing of children in Taney County.

JATC projects include Tender Critters for children in trauma; San ta’s Gift House; college scholar ships for a senior at each of the four Taney County public high schools; ScholarCare that provides monthly support for a college student, in ad dition to the monetary scholarship award; birthday parties for children

at the Crisis Center; school supplies replenishment in January for elemen tary schools; and book swap for those staying in extended stay motels.

More information on JATC can be found on the Junior Auxiliary website jatcmo.org, on our Facebook page: Junior Auxiliary of Taney County, or via email at jatcmo@gmail.com.

Record Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure visitors send dollars to the rainforest

Submitted to Branson Globe

The Butterfly Palace and Rain forest Adventure in Branson, Missouri, has broken all annual attendance records, and that en abled the attraction’s foundation to provide more help to butterfly farms in rainforest areas around the world.

Bruce Herschend, Butterfly Palace owner, says, “There are several reasons we’ve seen dou ble digit growth over the past eight years. It’s our great staff, and of course, a delightful prod uct — the opportunity to walk through 2,000 rainforest butter flies.”

The Butterfly Palace buys but terfly chrysalis from butterfly farms in countries around the globe, from Costa Rica to Aus tralia. “There are 118 species on our USDA permit,” Herschend says. The USDA allows us to have as many as 58 species at a time. The mix changes each

week, as we get multiple ship ments.”

The butterfly farms, which help hundreds of people make a living wage, are nonprofit enti ties focused on conservation, re search and education. The rain forest is being destroyed daily by logging and deforestation. Bran son’s Butterfly Palace and Rain forest Adventure has a 501(c) (3) foundation called Friends of Butterflies and the Rainforest. When one of the farms lost a roof during a storm and the founda tion gave them money to rebuild is a good example of how foun dation monies are spent.

The Rainforest area of the But terfly Palace is filled with tower ing palms, a waterfall, orchids and other exotic tropical plants, creating the perfect atmosphere for the butterflies. Butterflies emerge from the chrysalis in a glass-walled room in the Rain forest area so guests can watch.

Some lucky guests get to release them for their first flight. In ad dition to numerous sources of food, many of the butterflies opt to drink from nectar-filled plastic flowers guests can carry

The Butterfly Palace also has a Banyan Tree Adventure, a Sci ence Center with more than three dozen other rainforest animals, and much more.

Manager Brittney Smith says, “Our guests here in Branson must like what we do. We’ve grown from 64,000 guests in 2013 to this year’s record-break ing 120,000. Thank you to those guests for visiting and for spreading the word.” Glory Am burn, assistant manager said, “This week the record was bro ken for our busiest year ever. By the end of 2022, the record will be broken by a large margin.”

For more information call 417332-2231 or visit thebutterflyp alace.com.

A young visitor is fascinated by a butterfly (butterflypalace.com)

Kimberling City Christmas parade enjoyed by hundreds

Hundreds turned out to enjoy the annual Kimberling City Christmas parade this year, as it stepped off at a new afternoon time. Marching bands, floats, and even decorated golf carts made their way along the parade route, which ended at the Port of Kimberling. The parade was followed by the city’s annual tree lighting. (Special to Branson Globe)

• GIFTING SHOW

Continued from page 33

For those unable to attend but wishing to help Barber’s cause, a donation can be mailed to Joy

ful Heart Music Foundation, P.O. BOX 1911, Branson, MO 65615.

Monday’s Branson Family Gifting Show is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Branson Famous Theatre on Missouri Highway 165.

offers

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

The annual First Baptist Church Christmas Bash was held Saturday at the FBC Life Center, with hundreds of families and children enjoying the fun.

The 13th annual event in cluded activities for all ages.

“We had inflatables inside our gym, craft tables, games with prizes, and a photo booth with the Chick-Fil-A Santa Cow,” said FBC Pastor Terry Brown. “Ronzo the Clow was making balloon animals like fun reindeer. We had music, a

booth for the Jobs for Life pro gram, pre-eye exams for the kids with a voucher for free glasses, candy bags for the kids and two boxes of grocer ies per family.”

Brown explained the goal of the event.

‘The focus is to provide a fun experience for a family, along with some acts of kindness,” the pastor noted. “Christmas time is the best time to give. God provided the miracle gift of His Son Jesus. We should provide a heart of giving to people in our community.”

Attendance at the event was excellent, according to Brown, with numbers nearly equal to last year’s Christmas bash.

“Our greatest satisfaction is the smiles on kids’ faces at the event,” said Brown. “We gave away 350 bags of candy to kids and served 475 boxes of gro ceries. One dad said, ‘Thank you so much! I had no idea, and we needed the food right now!’”

FBC partnered with Chris tian Action Ministries for the event. Some of the other sponsors for the Bash were El evate Branson, KRZK 106.3, KOMC 100.1, KLFC 88.1, the Branson Globe and other local businesses.

Make it a December to remember with Johnny Morris Foundation’s Conservation Attractions

Submitted to Branson Globe

Make it a December to re member with the Johnny Morris Foundation’s Conservation At tractions! Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve, Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium and Dogwood Canyon Nature Park have all decked the halls and have holiday happen ings all December long. Make a new family tradition at Lost Can yon Christmas, splash the night away with Scuba Claus, or sip and be merry at Wine and Dine. See all the festive details below!

TOP OF THE ROCK

Lost Canyon Christmas: Open nightly 5 p.m.-9 p.m. through January 7.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Top of the Rock Ozark’s Heritage Preserve! We are happy to announce the opening of Lost Canyon Christ mas – our first-ever light tour at Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail. Experience the Ozarks after dark and join us for a 2.5mile nighttime journey through illuminated, awe-inspiring dis plays resembling historic Native American scenes from Chief Se attle’s letter of 1854. Sip on hot beverages, and be surrounded by twinkling lights and holiday magic while connecting to the great outdoors.

DOGWOOD CANYON

Wine and Dine: Saturday, De cember 10, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Sip and be merry while sur rounded by the rustic beauty of Dogwood Canyon. Wine and Dine doors open at 5 p.m. for happy hour inside the Canyon Grill, where guests will be greet ed with a complimentary bever age before enjoying additional drinks for purchase. Afterwards, experience a 5-course, chef-in spired menu accompanied by a diverse selection from Booker and Meiomi wine companies. Each pairing offers the perfect palette to enjoy the flavors of the holiday season fireside with a waterfall view.

Sunday Brunch: Sunday, De cember 18, 10:30 a.m-3 p.m.

Cozy up creek-side at Dog wood Canyon’s Sunday brunch! Enjoy breakfast favorites like

waffles, pastries and our famous fried chicken surrounded by the panoramic view at the Canyon Grill Restaurant.

WONDERS OF WILDLIFE

Scuba Claus: Tuesday and Fri day nights, 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., until Dec. 23

‘Tis the SEAson for wonder! Now through December 23 on Tuesday and Friday nights, Scu ba Claus is coming to town! We are decking the halls at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Na tional Museum and Aquarium and diving into the holidays with splashy lights, hot cocoa and a reading of “Twas the Night Be fore Fishmas” from Mrs. Claus. Be WOW’d as Scuba Claus and his helper, Peppermint, go out to sea and dive in the Great Barrier Reef spreading Christmas cheer in a magical underwater won derland.

The Lost Canyon Christmas light tour (Photo courtesy Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve)

BY KRISTINA ELLIS, Ramsey

How college students can earn cash over Christmas break

your long holiday breaks.

Sell your time

Tis the season to earn mon ey!

That’s right, college students: One thing that helps big time with paying for college (or cov ering those extra expenses along the way) is making the most of

Yes, it’s important to rest and recharge during winter break, but it’s also the perfect time to pick up a side hustle. I’ve put to gether a list of a few things you can do to make money during your holiday break, including what I did myself. (If you’re not familiar with my story, I earned over $500,000 in scholarships and graduated with multiple degrees debt-free. Now, I’m de termined to help you graduate without debt, too. I promise it’s possible!)

Why not go back to campus with a little more cash in your backpack than you had before? Here are some simple ways to get started.

Your first option is to sell what you’ve already got—your time!

Think of your friends, neighbors and extended family back home who have events to attend and out-of-town relatives to visit over the holidays. Send a quick text and offer to watch their pets or house-sit for them. As a mom of littles, I’d jump at the chance to knock out some last-minute shopping while a responsible college student babysat my kids. People will pay a lot of money to have things taken care of by someone they trust, and you could be the perfect person for the job.

Grab a short-term gig

Did you know that some

companies hire seasonal em ployees for just a few weeks during Christmastime? Some businesses will even pay extra for employees who are willing to work on national holidays when most people take time off. Maybe your family celebrates on Christmas Eve but lays low on Christmas Day—if you can work for even a part of certain holidays, do it! Adjusting your plans doesn’t have to be a forev er decision, but small sacrifices like this will really pay off in the future.

Drive for Uber or Lyft

Speaking of easy income, apply to be a rideshare driver. Without roommates, friends, professors and assignments to

keep you busy around the clock, you’ll have more margin than you realize for making extra in come. Even just driving a few hours in between your holiday plans can make a big difference. So, if you have access to a car, take advantage of it.

Have a closet cleanout

Selling items in your closet is a great way to create space for things on your wish list and make a little extra cash. If you’re like me, there are pieces in your wardrobe that you wear more often than others anyway, so put on your headphones, grab a snack, and start sorting. Shoes, purses, hats, hoodies—anything you’d rather get money for than

SEE KRISTINA ELLIS, PAGE 41

Network personality, and expert on college finance and graduat ing debt-free.

KRISTINA ELLIS

use closet space for can be list ed on sites like Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace.

Apply for scholarships

I had a lot of different jobs throughout high school and col lege, but the one thing that paid

• BEST CHRISTMAS

Continued from page 18

gest turkey, along with all the fixins’. I will never forget the visit we made that night. The father of the family had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemo. The look on their faces was not only that of appreciation, but it was as if they had experi enced a miracle. With tears, they told us that God had an swered their prayers through us that day. The next Sunday, the father, mother, and teen age son came to our church. The father, who had been an alcoholic, came to the altar and gave his life to Jesus. The family became members of our church, and the son later accepted Christ and began at tending the youth group. And what’s more, the father was healed of his cancer! Miracles still happen, and sometimes it starts with a little act of kind ness! That was a Christmas I will never forget!

• The year I got my first toy drum set! I was seven, and I’ve been a drummer boy ever since. Now, at age 53, I pre fer my slick, black Pearl drum set!

SOLUTION to last week’s Sudoku

off most by far was applying for scholarships. Believe it or not, I actually treated this like a parttime job. And even if you’re already enrolled at a universi ty, you can do the same! There are thousands of scholarships available for upperclassmen and students with specific majors.

Set aside an hour each day to research and register for schol arship opportunities. A little bit of time could add up to a ton of money!

Okay, hopefully at this point you have an idea or two that you’re considering—maybe you’ve even thought of a few

more money-making strate gies of your own. There are so many things that make college fun, and in my opinion, one of the biggest perks is having long breaks each semester. So, start thinking now about how you can spend your break wisely. Spend some time with friends

and family, then try out a few of these ideas to get the most bang for your Christmas break and start next semester off right. You can do this!

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER - 3D EXPERIENCE (PG-13) THU: 3:30, 8:00

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (PG-13) FRI - WED: 12:10, 3:30, 6:50; THU: 12:10 PM

OZARKS: LEGACY & LEGEND IMAX FRI - THU: 10:00 AM

SERENGETI: JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF AFRICA FRI - THU: 11:00 AM

DEVOTION (PG-13)

FRI - THU: 12:20, 3:30, 6:30

STRANGE WORLD (PG) FRI - THU: 12:30, 3:00, 6:50

TICKET TO PARADISE (PG-13)

FRI - THU: 1:00, 4:30, 7:10

I HEARD THE BELLS

FRI - THU: 1:30, 4:30, 7:30

TOP GUN: MAVERICK (PG-13)

FRI - THU: 1:00, 3:50, 6:50

VIOLENT NIGHT (R)

FRI - THU: 1:00, 4:00, 6:50

DEVOTION (PG-13)

FRI - THU: 1:00, 4:00, 6:50

STRANGE WORLD (PG)

FRI - THU: 1:00, 4:00, 7:10

THE MENU (R)

FRI - THU: 2:00, 4:30, 7:00

Weekend Outlook Dec 9th 11th

www.bransonglobe.com

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOR EVER (PG-13)

FRI - THU: 12:30, 3:50, 7:00

BLACK ADAM (PG-13)

FRI - THU: 1:40, 4:20, 7:05

TICKET TO PARADISE (PG-13)

FRI - THU: 1:20, 4:10, 7:30

LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE (PG)

FRI - THU: 1:20, 4:00, 6:50

RUNNING THE BASES (PG)

FRI - THU: 1:00, 4:10, 6:50

Today in history

• 536 Byzantine General Belis arius enters Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peaceful ly leaves the city, returning the old capital to its empire

• 1212 Frederick II (later also Holy Roman Emperor) crowned King of Germany in Mainz

• 1793 Noah Webster establishes New York’s 1st daily newspa per, the “American Minerva”

• 1941 Adolf Hitler orders US ships to be torpedoed

• 1941 China declares war on Ja pan, Germany & Italy

• 1953 General Electric announc es all Communist employees will be fired

• 1965 “A Charlie Brown Christ mas”, the first Peanuts animat ed special premieres on CBS in the US

• 1968 NLS (a system for which hypertext and the computer mouse were developed) is pub licly demonstrated for the first time in San Francisco.

• 1978 1st game of Women’s Pro Basketball League (WBL), Chicago Hustle vs Milwaukee Does

• 1983 Counselor to Ronald Rea gan, Edwin Meese says people go to soup kitchens “because food is free & that’s easier than paying for it”

• 1990 Lech Wałęsa wins Po land’s 1st direct presidential election in Poland

• 1992 Operation Restore Hope: US Marines land in Somalia

• 2002 “Star Trek: Nemesis” film directed by Stuart Baird, and starring Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes premieres

• 2008 Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is arrested by fed eral officials for a number of al leged crimes, including attempt ing to sell the United States Senate seat being vacated by President-elect Barack Obama

• 2015 German Chancellor An gela Merkel named Time Mag azine’s Person of the Year, for her handling of debt and refugee crises

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NOTICES NOTICES NOTICES BOAT &

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., Bran son, MO. We look forward to meeting you!! HOOAH!!

TOPS MEETINGS: Since 1993, the nonprofit organization Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets week ly on Tuesdays at the Kimberling Area Library, 45 Kimberling Blvd. Weigh-in is from 4:30 to 5 p.m. with the meet ing until 5:45 p.m. It is a community supported group to take off pounds for health and wellness. First visit is free. Visit tops.org for meetings and general information.

GRIEF SHARE SUPPORT GROUP. Branson United Method ist Church will again be offering the Grief Share Group on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. in the church library. This is a support group that meets week ly and is open to the community. Leaders of this group are caring people who have experienced grief and have successfully rebuilt their lives. Call Peggy at 417-334-3423.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCI ATION 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.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY is a place to heal from your hurts, habits, and hangups. We meet every Tuesday night at 6:30 PM at Music City Centre, 1839 West 76 Country Blvd., Branson. For more information call 417–3202055 See you there!

VETERANS & MILITARY COALITION OF THE OZARKS is an all-volunteer or ganization of veterans serving veterans. Contact us if you feel that you, as a veteran or veter an family, may not be receiving the benefits you deserve. Go to VMCO1.org and click on CON TACT 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.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don’t burn trees. Please don’t burn your garbage and don’t burn yourself.

EVERY FRIDAY ON SITE AT GUMI CAMP USA from noon until 2 p.m.: Licensed counselor/combat veteran available for group or private meetings • Free tour of the CAMP • Free meal provided by the Blue Star Mothers • Job placement assistance on and off site provided • Reflection and on-site workshops for spouses suffering from PTSD, mothers and fathers suf fering from a loss of a son or daughter due to combat and more. Please call, text, or email and let us know you’re coming. Tim Hadler, 417-559-3892 tmhadler@gmail.com For directions to the camp entrance, Google GUMI CAMP USA and tap di rections. We are here for you and your family’s needs.

IF MY PEOPLE, WHICH ARE CALLED BY MY NAME, shall hum ble 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

SERVICES OFFERED

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

CLEANING SERVICES OF FERED: Residential, new con struction, resorts. Offer hauling ser vices as well. FREE ESTIMATES. Call Randy or Tina, 417-294-3104 or 417-824-3094. Serving all TriLakes areas.

VENDORS NEEDED

2023 BRANSON TRI-LAKES

BUILDING & HOME SHOW, Feb. 10 - 12 at Chateau on the Lake. If your business is all about home-sweet-home you need to be here! Call 417-335-1094.

ESTATE SALE

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY: Dec. 9-11, 8 a.m. Branson Hills Parkway to Green’s subdivision, follow signs to Westlake Court. Furniture and household items.

FOR SALE

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. 417-335-5400. renttoownautosbranson.com

HOMES FOR RENT/SALE

LOCAL JUNK AND BRUSH REMOVAL – 417-324-0860. 417hauling.com. Discount for veterans/senior citizens/disabled. Residential and Commercial. Serving Greater Branson Area. CALL TODAY!

ACE HOME IMPROVE MENT – Heating & Air HVAC Service & Repair, Doors, Windows, Decks, Fences, Pressure Washing, Int & Ext. Painting, Siding, Roofing, Flooring, Tile & Drywall. Handy-man Work! Call Ryan: 417-335-1347

FOR SALE: PRIDE VICTORY 4 WHEEL POWER SCOOT ER with a basket & cover. Also a Bruno hydraulic lift, all brand new. Asking $2,000. Call 417-739-1314.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

FOR LEASE: NICE 3-BEDROOM, 2-BATH HOME. 167 Greenbriar Lane Hollister. Has fenced-in backyard, storage shed, large, covered patio and 2-car at tached garage, laminate flooring, custom window blinds. No smok ers. $1,350/Mo. Background app. fee $50. Call 417-337-0398.

FOR LEASE: NICE 2-BED ROOM, 1-BATH HOME. 185 Morningside Lane, Hollister. Has fenced-in backyard, 2-car attached garage, laminate floor ing, custom window blinds. No smokers. $1,000/mo. Back ground app. fee $50. Call 417337-0398.

CONDOS/APARTMENTS

FOR SALE: RED 1966 MUS TANG COUPE with a straight-six automatic. Fair condition and will consider trade. Asking 6K OBO. Phone 417-294-3104

FOR RENT: NICE BRANSON 1 bedroom/1 bath. All appliances included. $525/mo. No pets. Available 12/01 lease. 417-339-7777.

APARTMENT

CONDOS/APARTMENTS CONDOS/APARTMENTS

CONDOS/APARTMENTS

FOR RENT: 2 BED/2 BATH CONDO, $1200/month. Pools, club house, golf, game room, the aters, restaurants. Furnished or not. Call 541-252-3015

COMMERCIAL SPACE

COMMERCIAL SPACE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE on Bus. Hwy 13, Branson West. Var ious sizes. 417-248-0062.

HELP WANTED

EDGEWATER COMMUNITY

CHURCH is a small nondenom inational church 27 miles west of Branson, MO. We are looking for an ordained pastor. Our website is available at edgewatercommuni tychurch.org. If interested, contact the church via email at edgewater church@yahoo.com.

POINT LOOKOUT NURSING & REHAB is excited to announce that we are currently hiring RNs, LPNs, CNAs, NAs, CMTs, house keeping, 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

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.

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

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

THE ROSE HOUSE IS LOOK ING for a full time cook, and a housekeeper to clean 20+ apart ments. The job would include clean ing a certain number of apartments daily, plus additional general house keeping duties. $15-$20 an hour with negotiable work week (20-40 hours). Call Lindy 417-230-9190.

SCENIC RAILWAY: THE POLAR EXPRESS – Hiring hot chocolate and cookie servers, carolers, now through Dec. 23. Apply in person at Branson Scenic Railway 206 E. Main St., from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

BRANSON