Branson Courier

Month: November 2003

  • Without “Giving” There Is No “Thanksgiving”

    From a Seagull’s perspective it would seem that common sense tells us that something celebrated as “Thanksgiving Day” should be a “day” of “giving” “thanks.”How many of us routinely say “Thanks” for something to “no one?”Generally, when we say “Thanks,” there is the “something” that generated the “giving” of “Thanks” and the “Thanks” is given to the person or entity believed to have provided that “something.”



    Yet, even as some would take “CHRIST” out of CHRISTmas they would take the “GIVING” out of ThanksGIVING.To whom are we GIVING “Thanks?”From Coronado’s 1541 Thanksgiving in Palo Duro Canyon, in what is now West Texas, through the 1600 Puritan Thanksgivings in New England, history testifies to the fact that our modern day Thanksgiving is based on GIVING “Thanks” to God for blessings bestowed.



    The true meaning of “Thanksgiving,” and its involvement with the very foundation of our Nation can be readily gleaned from the Proclamations establishing it.One of the “First Thanksgiving Proclamations,” issued in 1676, by the Governing Council of Charlestown, Massachusetts proclaimed, “a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for such his Goodness and Favor.”



    On December 18, 1777, after the victory over the British at Saratoga, the Congress recommended, “That at one time, and with one voice, the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that, together with their sincere acknowledgements and offerings they may join the penitent confession of their sins; and supplications for such further blessings as they stand in need of.”



    On November 16, 1789, the First President of the United States, George Washington, issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation stating, “Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint committee requested me to ‘recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many single favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.’”



    Perhaps Abraham Lincoln, in his 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation said it best.”No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one hart and one voice by the whole American People.I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficient Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”



    Particularly at this time in our Nations history, it would seem appropriate, during our Thanksgiving celebrations, to stop and give “thanks” to Almighty God for the many blessings he has bestowed upon this Nation and its people.As Lincoln so beautifully said, “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God.”

  • Yakov moves to bigger theater in 2004

    Branson, MO – Yakov Smirnoff, America’s Favorite Russian, announced that

    he’ll be moving to a new location in Branson, Missouri in 2004. “After

    years of selling out shows in Branson at my present theater I knew it was

    time to move to a larger theater. I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be

    opening my show in 2004 at the newly renamed Yakov Smirnoff Theatre at the

    corner of Highway 65 and 248.” Yakov’s present theater only seats 1300

    visitors and the new location seats 2200.


    “My new theater will allow me to entertain more fans and also makes us the

    first theater in Branson as you arrive from the North. Much easier to

    find, comfortable seating, and plenty of parking, plus there is outstanding

    lighting and sound, along with additional space for our props.” said Yakov.

    “I love the idea of being the first theater to greet visitors to Branson

    and we’ve got some big plans for adding a fun, inviting look to the outside

    of the theater. Besides that when I arrived in Branson in 1993, I thought

    Mel Tillis owned Branson!”


    Yakov will open for 2004 at his new location in Branson, Missouri on

    Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at 9:30 AM. The theater, built by Mel Tillis in

    1992, has also been the Branson home for Larry Gatlin & Gatlin Brothers,

    Billy Ray Cyrus, Rick Springfield, Debbie Boone, Pat Boone, and many other

    great entertainers. The theater will be renamed the Yakov Smirnoff Theatre

    and is presently referred to as the Will Rogers Theatre.


    It’s been quite a year for Yakov Smirnoff. Yakov premiered his hilarious

    one-man Broadway show, “As Long As We Both Shall Laugh” in New York City.

    Originally scheduled to run for six weeks, by popular demand the show was

    extended to a twelve week run. As part of the successful run of “As Long

    As We Both Shall Laugh” on Broadway, 5-Time Emmy Award winning director,

    David Stern, shot the show for a PBS Special as well as for a video and DVD

    released November 17, 2003. With positive reviews of “As Long As We Both

    Shall Laugh”, including the New York Times calling Yakov “splendidly funny,

    sometimes poignant, and always entertaining”, Yakov will be touring “As

    Long As We Both Shall Laugh” across the country throughout 2004, while

    still doing over 170 shows at his new theater location in Branson,

    Missouri.


    Yakov says, “I get the best of both worlds. Traveling across America to

    perform and coming back to my theater in Branson allows me to continue to

    expand my horizons, enjoy my family, and exercise my creative energy. Only

    in Branson can you find a Japanese fiddler and a Russian Comedian playing

    to sold out shows day after day. What A Country!”

  • Go “Beyond Dickens” at The Great Passion Play

    At The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, a Victorian Town Crier can be heard inviting visitors to step back in time to go “Beyond Dickens”.Stationed at the Great Wall on The Great Passion Play grounds, the Town Crier, in the midst of a Dickens era Victorian street scene with Victorian Carolers and Christmas decorations, greets visitors and is their first look at this new Christmas Experience being offered in the midst of the Ozarks hills.



    As the city of Eureka Springs celebrates “It’s A Dickens of a Christmas”, The Great Passion Play is participating by producing an interactive live nativity experience called, “Beyond Dickens.”The “town crier” encourages visitors to travel back “beyond the ghost of Christmas Past, Beyond Dickens, to the very first Christmas, to the town of Bethlehem.”Here visitors join the travelers from throughout Judea to register for the census decreed by Caesar Augustus.Visitors find themselves intermingling with the Roman soldiers, camels, donkeys, horses, the Three Kings, the shepherds, the citizens of Bethlehem and Mary & Joseph to create the first live interactive Nativity experience in the Ozarks.



    “This unique concept was the brainchild of our creative team.We wanted to participate in offering something special for Christmas and thought what fun it would be to let our visitors actually become a part of the show.This is going to be an tremendous experience for them, as well as for us,” says Joe Gies, CEO of The Great Passion Play.”All of our actors have special characters designed to create an authentic atmosphere for the visitors to mingle and become part of this magnificent event.”The Roman soldiers, Messala, Quintus, Arrius, Cato, Brutus, Flavius, Antony, & Justus, help keep order for the census takers, Ezra & Obadiah.Money Changers such as Elihu & Bildad help visitors exchange their money for special Great Passion Play “denary” as the Shepherds, Abinadad, Shammah, and Jesse try to share the joy of seeing angels with the skeptical townspeople of Bethlehem.As the Three Kings, Gaspar, Melchior, & Balthasar along with their weary entourage, lead the way to the manger, the innkeepers, Samuel & Leah, try to explain their lack of rooms.Gies says, “It’s been an exciting project and we are especially pleased that Lorenzo and Felicia Green have helped to make this extraordinary vision come true with their special attention to the design and creation of the town of Bethlehem in coordination with our staff.”



    “Beyond Dickens” at The Great Passion Play will operate from November 7 through December 20, 2003, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.(There will be no performance on Thanksgiving.)Gies adds, “We plan to make this a yearly event each November & December.”



    Included in the entire experience is a display of Christmas nativities from around the world, interactive events for children, as well as choirs and soloists bringing special Christmas music.There are special exhibits in the Sacred Arts Center, the Smith Memorial Chapel, the Bible Museum, and spectacular lighting of the entire Great Passion Play grounds.



    For additional information or to purchase tickets either on line or via phone, through Ozark Ticket and Travel, click here or call 1-888-493-1222.

  • Branson Area Festival of Lights Parkway lights the way

    The Branson Area Festival of Lights Parkway is located just off Hwy 65 and Bee Creek in the Branson Hills area. This two-mile drive through is one of the the anchor displays for the Branson Area Festival of Lights.



    Featuring thousands of lights and animated displays, you will drive through tunnels of light and see animated holiday and whimsical displays that appeal to the child in all of us. Favorite displays include the 12 days of Christmas, a nativity scene, Santa with his reindeer, a Victorian Christmas scene, and sail boat races among many others.



    The “parkway” is open daily through December 31, 2003 from 5:00 PM to midnight.Admission is $7.00 per family and $50.00 per coach.A $15.00 family passport will buy a family vehicle unlimited trip through the Parkway and are available at the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and other locations throughout Branson. For additional information on the Parkway, schedules, or costs please contact the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at 417-334-4136.

  • The Trail of Lights, Ready to Charm Visitors

    The Shepherd of the Hills popular Christmas experience, The Trail of Lights, has opened their 15th fabulous season in Branson.The Trail opened on Saturday evening, November 1st and runs through January 3rd.This season, they are expanding the Trail once again.



    The Trail of Lights is a drive-thru animation display that transports visitors into the very heart of Christmas.The Trail winds its way through the historic 160-acre homestead, and takes visitors down the famous “Trail that Nobody Knows How Old” into a holiday wonderland.



    Guests travel through a variety of different lands, each with their own theme, from fantasy to religious to patriotic.Life-size – and some larger than life – three-dimensional characters have their own special housing so guests can “peek” in on the fun happening inside.Festive holiday music is themed to each scene, and visitors are sure to find themselves singing along.Favorites include A Victorian Village, North Pole Village, The Elves General Store, The Animals Knelt, Reindeer Care, The Reason for the Season, and Land of Sugar and Spice, just to name a few.



    The Trail also includes millions of multi-colored Christmas lights.Every building on park is completely illuminated, and there are hundreds of lighted displays as well as the animated scenes.These include The Nativity, Mele Kalikmaka, and the Jingle Bell Jungle.



    2003 brings new animation displays in the newly enlarged Winter Wonderland area to include Polar Bear Pond, Snowman Decorating Crew, and Snowman Housekeeping.Plus, there are also new animated lighting displays in Jingle Bell Jungle and SEA-sons Greetings!



    As the grand finale to the journey, visitors are invited to stop by Inspiration Tower where they can ride glass elevators up 230′ for a Santa’s eye view of the lights from above.There’s also Aunt Mollie’s Mercantile where there’s terrific holiday shopping, delicious goodies like hot cider and hot chocolate, and, on select nights, visitors can chat with Santa himself!



    The Trail of Lights is open 7 nights a week from dusk until after the shows.For more information, call 1-800-653-6288.

  • Would Truman Apologize For Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

    It is a sad fact of life that the politicians, and those in power, start wars and that the people of the nations involved bleed, die, suffer, and otherwise pay the price of war. As the people of countries make war on each other they tend to fall into two general categories, “Military” and “Civilian.” The Military kill each other the old fashioned way, directly, with bullets, rockets, bombs, mortars, artillery, planes, tanks, ships, hand to hand combat etc.

    The Civilians of warring nations provide the means for the military to kill each other and the bodies to replace those that are killed and maimed. History records that the bullets, bombs, torpedoes, planes, ships and other implements of war used by Japan, to destroy the peace at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, were made by civilians.

    Prior to December 7, 1941 there was peace between the United States and Japan. At approximately 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time, on Sunday, December 7, 1941, while Japanese diplomats met with Secretary of State Cordell Hull in Washington, DC, the country of Japan shattered that peace by spilling American blood in a cowardly surprise attack on the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. The attack killed over 2,400 and wounded over 1,175. On Monday December 8, 1941 President Roosevelt went before Congress and declared December 7, 1941 as, “A date that will live in infamy.” Congress declared war against Japan on that date and the United States entered into World War II.

    Upon the death of President Roosevelt on April 12, 1945, over three years and 200,000 American lives later, Harry S. Truman, became the 33rd President of the United States. He was a Missourian known for his honesty and one of the most respected politicians of his time. The war in Europe was over and the Axis Powers of Italy and Germany had been defeated. All that remained between war and peace was the fanatical and kamikaze like resistance of the Japanese people and their army of over 2,500,000. In spite of the repeated warnings to surrender and that the alternative “was complete and utter destruction,” Japan refused to surrender and continued to fight.

    Truman had served as an Artillery Officer in France during World War I and, prior to becoming President, was not aware of the “Manhattan Project” and its Atom Bomb. His advisors estimated the war could be shortened by a year and that 1 million Allied casualties, 500,000 of them American lives, could be saved if the Atomic Bomb was used on Japan. He decided that enough American blood had been spilled in trying to reestablish the peace that Japan had shattered.

    At approximately 9:15 a.m. on August 6, 1945, after repeated warnings for Japan to surrender, the Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. In spite of the horrific carnage and destruction that resulted Japan did not capitulate. On August 9, 1945, another Atomic Bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Japan sued for peace the next day and the formal surrender papers were signed, on the deck of the Battleship U.S.S. Missouri, on September 2, 1945. Peace had been restored.

    Some say America owes Japan an apology for using the Atomic Bomb. The lives sacrificed at Hiroshima and Nagasaki saved many times the lives, Japanese, American, as well as others, that would have been spent if the war had continued. Without Pearl Harbor and the refusal of Japan to end the war that they had started, not only would there have been no Hiroshima or Nagasaki, but millions of people, Japanese as well as others, would not have died. If the people of Japan are due an apology it more appropriately should come from their own government.

    Some say that Japan owes us an apology for Pearl Harbor. No apology can undo history, bring back the lives that were lost, or change the treacherous cowardice of that attack. The blood of her sons, and ours, staining the sands of remote Pacific Islands such as Peleliu, Okinawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and others, stand as evidence of the futility of such an apology and, of war itself.

    In his farewell address given in January 1953, Truman said, “The President–whoever he is–has to decide. He can’t pass the buck to anybody. No one else can do the deciding for him. That’s his job.” He did his job and hundreds of thousands of lives, Japanese as well as American, were saved and World War II was ended. Why would anyone apologize for that?

  • Veteran’s Homecoming schedule of activities- 2003


    It’s the biggest, the best and friendliest Veteran’s Day celebration and it lasts all week long.



    This year’s “A Veterans Homecoming” will host convoy-long chain of daily events.Activities that will continue everyday during theNov. 5-11 celebration includes:



    Veterans Patch Wall – Grand Country Square–Grand Country Music Hall. Hundred of patches collected from all services hold special meaning for each branch, division and unit represented. See this collection in progress. Patch donations welcome. Open all year.



    Veterans Registry – Looking for a friends from your unit, or hoping someonemight be trying to find you? Get your name in the Branson Veterans Task Force Veterans Registry. There is no charge for registering or searches.During Veterans Homecoming the Veterans Registry is available at two convenient locations: the Grand Country Square – Grand Country Music Hall on 76 Country Blvd. and Branson 1st Stop – Texaco at Hwy 65 & Bee Creek Rd. Interchange.



    Mike Radford Hall of Heroes – A free display honoring men and women of every era that is located inside the Radisson Hotel, lower level, next to the Veterans Cafe where coffee is always free to veterans. This stirring tribute includes donated military memorabilia, uniforms and thousands of photographs from families across America. An additional Hall of Heroes is located inside the IMAX Entertainment Complex.



    Vietnam Traveling Wall – Open 8:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m., daily, Welk Resort.



    BVTF Armed Forces Gold Tournament – Daily at Thousand Hills Golf Course (behind Lone Star Steakhouse).



    WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5



    BVTF Armed Forces Golf Tournament, Thousand Hills Golf Club.


    0800 Vietnam Traveling Wall Opening Ceremony at Welk Resort.


    1130 Veterans Homecoming Opening Ceremony, Mansion America



    THURSDAY, NOV. 6



    BVFT Armed Forces Golf Tournament, ThousandHills Golf Club


    1300 Veterans Reception, Grand Plaza Hotel


    1200 Special Veterans Tribute Raising America Show, Dedication of the Memorial Park Plaques and Freedom Shrine.



    FRIDAY, NOV. 7



    BVFT Armed Forces Golf Tournament, ThousandHills Golf Club



    SATURDAY, NOV. 8



    BVFT Armed Forces Golf Tournament, ThousandHills Golf Club


    1200 American Extravaganza Arlington Project Fund Raiser, Tri-Lakes Center 417-335-5715.


    1900 KWVA Benefit Show, The Dutton Family Theater is hosting a benefit show for the Harry S. Truman Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association, tickets $10 each 417-332-2772.



    SUNDAY, NOV. 9



    BVFT Armed Forces Golf Tournament, ThousandHills Golf Club.


    1000 Barbara Fairchild Sunday Worship Service, Will Rogers Theatre, special service honoring veterans. No Reservations needed. 417-334-6400.


    TBD War Letters Presentation, time and place TBD.


    1730 The Annual POW/MIA Gala, Chateau on the Lake, Reservation toll free number – 866-481-GALA



    MONDAY, NOV. 10



    BVFT Armed Forces Golf Tournament, ThousandHills Golf Club – Playoffs.


    0900 Korean War Veterans Association Mini-Reunion, until noon at the Settle Inn of Green Mountain Dr. in the Stonehenge Room. It will be hosted by the State of Missouri, K.W.V.A and the Harry S. Truman Chapter K.W.V.A. 417-335-5871


    1330 JROTC Playoffs, Music City Centre.


    1800 Wild Game Dinner Saluting our Native American Veterans, American Legion Pemberton-Jennings Post 220 Branson, 417-334-0324.


    All Veterans & Marine Corps Birthday Ball at Table Rock American Legion Post 637, Hwy 13, Kimberling City. We will celebrate the United States Marine Corps 228th Birthday with a cake cutting by the Corps. Cost $17 per person. Reservations required by Nov. 7, call 417-739-4108.



    TUESDAY, NOV. 11



    0800 Tony Orlando Yellow Ribbon Tribute Show at Tri-Lakes Center, call 866-470-9514 for reservations.


    1100 69th Annual Veterans Day Parade will feature marching bands, local and national veteran units from across the United States. For INFO call 417-334-2296.


    1400. Veterans Homecoming Closing Ceremony – U.S. Army Field Band with Pam Tillis, Mansion America.



    For more information: 417-334-7894


    Email:info@bransonveterans.com





  • Opening Ceremony – Veterans Homecoming


    Opening Ceremony for Veterans Homecoming


    With activities as diverse as skydivers, an A-10 flyover, chalk artistry and world class baton twirling and a host of Branson celebrities as well as Oklahoma’s Chairman of Veterans Affairs Senator Norman A. Lamb and Missouri’s Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell, opening events for the nation’s largest Veterans Day celebration held in Branson, Mo., includes an outdoor and an indoor pre-show plus the official opening ceremony at Mansion America on Wednesday, Nov. 5.


    All opening events are free to the public with the outdoor events beginning at 11:30 a.m. with a three unit formation of A-10 Warthogs, also know as the Thunderbolt, the Flying Gun and the Tankbuster, by a reserve unit out of Whiteman Air Force Base. Outdoor events will continue with lunch available for purchase on the grounds and a brass band concert. At 12:30 p.m. Freefall Express skydivers from Mount Vernon, Mo., will drop in.


    Following the skydivers doors to the Mansion America theater will open for the pre-show in the theater with open seating in the theater and the opening ceremony officially begins at 2 p.m. with a welcome by Branson Mayor Lou Schaefer who has declared Nov. 5-11 as National Veterans Appreciation Week in Branson.


    “This year opening ceremony will be extra special and different from past openings,” said Bill Groninger, executive director of the Branson Veterans Task Force, the non-profit organization which sponsors Veterans Homecoming. “With the theme of Legends and Legacy, the ninth annual Veterans Homecoming Nov. 5 – 11 in Branson, Mo., is honoring the Native American soldier.”


    According to the show producer Carolyn Snow, Fred Travalena and Bob Anderson will host the event. The Hughes Brothers, Barbara Fairchild, Roy Morris, John Wain, Mike Radford, Dalena Ditto, Judy Hartley, Delene and Folin Ponce De Leon are among the Branson Veterans Task Force sponsors who have committed to perform. Also scheduled to appear are members of the nation’s only little league of entertainers American Kids Inc. including Nick Gibson who will wear his traditional Native American tribal dress for the National Anthem and Aly Akers, a world class twirler, who will present a patriotic twirling routine honoring the military.


    “Unique to this event will be a presentation by Richard Hight, an award winning artist, teacher, motivational and inspirational speaker, who will create a six by eight foot piece of chalk art as he gives an inspiring message,” said Snow, a Task Force sponsor and volunteer who also produced last year’s opening ceremony.


    Snow, a winner of the CINE Golden Eagle Award for her film MS 99128 which toured the world’s film festivals, has produced the acclaimed patriotic Raising America Show, the award winning The Will and the Wind and also an eight year series of shows on the Gazebo Stage at Silver Dollar City, most recently Home is Where the Heart is.


    For more information call the Branson Veterans Task Force at 417-337-8387.