Monthly Archives: September 2008

Branson seeking volunteers for Stockstill Park cleanup October 7

The city of Branson is once again putting a call out for volunteers to help repair Stockstill Park that was damaged by high winds and flash flooding from hurricane Ike earlier this month. Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Branson seeking volunteers for Stockstill Park cleanup October 7

Confusing numbers impact tourism, the budget, but praise God, not the Adoration Parade!

Lately it seems from the national to local level, people are being bombarded by numbers that impact on their daily lives, their community, and, possibly, on the very future of their nation. Continue reading

Posted in Editorials | Comments Off on Confusing numbers impact tourism, the budget, but praise God, not the Adoration Parade!

Branson tourism report indicates continuing challenges

“Consumer economic fundamentals are worrisome and do not bode well for the leisure travel industry in the months ahead,” Dan Lennon, Vice President Marketing & Public Relations, Branson Tri Lakes Chamber of Commerce & CVB, told the Branson Board of Aldermen… Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Branson tourism report indicates continuing challenges

Branson board authorizes continuation of necessary and essential expenses

The written staff report introducing the resolution states, “City and State Statutes allow for the continuation of the budget into the following year for good and sufficient reasons. On September 16th the Board of Aldermen and the Branson Finance Committee acknowledged that good and sufficient reasons exist to allow a continuation because of the City Governments financial status.”
Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Branson board authorizes continuation of necessary and essential expenses

Hollister’s traditional Grape & Fall Festival this weekend

The festival is free, will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will include a variety of events highlighted by the festival’s signature event, the world famous “Grape Stomp” at 2:00 p.m. Judged by local dignitaries, and hosted by Jim Barber…Branson entertainers scheduled to perform include one of Branson’s newest singing sensations SIX, comedian Red Kneckers, the American Kids, Roy Rogers Jr. & The High Riders, Bob Nichols and Johnny Lonestar from Country Tonite, James Garret and the John Denver Tribute Show, Blues Brothers from the Legends in Concert, Leroy New and the New’s Country Show, Jon Peterson Family Blue Grass Band, The Platters, and Pearl Neil and Mike Christopher.
Continue reading

Posted in History/Local Flavor | Comments Off on Hollister’s traditional Grape & Fall Festival this weekend

Branson’s Silver Dollar City’s National Harvest Festival Sep. 11 – Oct. 25

Branson’s Silver Dollar City, long known as “The Home of American Craftsmanship,” celebrates its roots with the debut of the new Culinary & Craft School during the Ozarks’ premier fall festival, Silver Dollar City’s National Harvest Festival. Showcasing interactive culinary arts and craftsmanship, this new project opens as… Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment News | Comments Off on Branson’s Silver Dollar City’s National Harvest Festival Sep. 11 – Oct. 25

Branson extends Ward 3 storm debris cleanup deadline

The Branson Public Works Department has extended the special storm cleanup an extra two days due to the volume of limbs and brush residents have set out for the free pickup. That means residents in the city’s Ward 3 will have their storm debris collected on Monday and Tuesday, September 29 and 30.
Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Branson extends Ward 3 storm debris cleanup deadline

Branson’s Circle B needs “Hands” for a special Video

Branson’s Circle B Chuckwagon and Cowboy Music show is professionally video-recording their cowboy music and comedy supper on Monday, Sep. 29…offering a very special $5.25 dollar rate, which includes the fabulous Circle B Chuckwagaon dinner and the show. Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment News | Comments Off on Branson’s Circle B needs “Hands” for a special Video

In terms of promotion and marketing both sewers and destination marketing can smell

Can anyone tell an Ole Seagull how the terms “promotion” and “tourism,” as used in the legislation authorizing the spending of tourism tax dollars for marketing, can be so broadly interpreted in Hollister and so restrictively interpreted in Branson? Continue reading

Posted in Editorials | Comments Off on In terms of promotion and marketing both sewers and destination marketing can smell

Hurricane Ike causes Corps to open Table Rock spillway gates

In a year filled with record rainfall and the highest lakes levels ever what wasn’t needed by Branson was the rain remnants of Hurricanes “Gustov” and “Ike.” By the time Ike had tracked its way through the Ozarks and Branson area lakes were well above their season normal levels Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Hurricane Ike causes Corps to open Table Rock spillway gates

Delay of Fiscal Year 2009 budget & liquor control highlight agenda

…the board will also consider matters relating to delaying the final approval of the city’s 2009 fiscal year budget until the end of October and will again address the matter of a new liquor control ordinance.
Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Delay of Fiscal Year 2009 budget & liquor control highlight agenda

Branson’s Autumn Daze features crafts, music, farmers’ market

The 35th Annual Autumn Daze Arts and Crafts Festival will be held Sep. 18- 21, Thursday through Sunday, in Historic Downtown Branson. More than 150 artists and vendors are expected, said Paula Gillispie, events coordinator for the Downtown Branson Main Street Association (DBMA). Continue reading

Posted in History/Local Flavor | Comments Off on Branson’s Autumn Daze features crafts, music, farmers’ market

Branson’s present financial challenge and its past administration “Is what it is”

In describing the breakdown of the financial system Dean Kruithof, Branson’s present city administrator said there was a lack of effective contract management, no reconciliation to budget, no project accounting,… Continue reading

Posted in Editorials | Comments Off on Branson’s present financial challenge and its past administration “Is what it is”

Branson board meetings change to Tuesday

the board authorized a change in the day of the week the meetings are held from Monday night to Tuesday night. The change is effective Oct. 1 and will start with the board’s first meeting in October scheduled for Tuesday Oct. 14. Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Branson board meetings change to Tuesday

Branson city hall and fire station used as collateral on Branson Landing Loan

…entitled “Fund Payback” contained, among other things, a $750,000 per year payment from the city’s General Fund to repay a loan taken out for the Branson Landing project using Branson City Hall and the city’s newest fire station as collateral for the loan. Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Branson city hall and fire station used as collateral on Branson Landing Loan

Branson’s American President’s Museum participates in Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day

On Saturday, September 27, 2008, Branson’s American Presidents Museum will participate in the fourth annual Museum Day, presented by Smithsonian magazine. Museum Day is a day when museums and cultural institutions nationwide open their doors free of charge to Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors. Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment News | Comments Off on Branson’s American President’s Museum participates in Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day

Branson’s Fall Creek Extension in budget stress limbo

Whether or not the Fall Creek Road Extension will survive the current budget stress the city of Branson is working through remains in limbo. At its Sep. 8 meeting the Branson Board of Aldermen postponed a bill accepting the bid of Emery Sapp & Sons d/b/a/ ESS Contractor… Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Branson’s Fall Creek Extension in budget stress limbo

Branson revenue stable but financial system breakdown strains budget

From a financial perspective, although Branson’s revenues are stable, its finances will be challenging for the next couple of years as the city repairs what Branson City Administrator Dean Kruithof calls a breakdown of Branson’s financial system. Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Branson revenue stable but financial system breakdown strains budget

City mourns death of former Branson mayor Lou Schaefer

Lou Schaefer, who served as Branson’s mayor during the biggest growth period in the city’s history, died early this morning at the age of 80 following an illness. Schaefer was mayor of Branson from 1995 to 2007, and he was the first mayor in Branson’s history to be elected for six consecutive terms. Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on City mourns death of former Branson mayor Lou Schaefer

God warns Noah and he built an ark; God warns “Branson” and it says “Huh?”

ncredulously, after all the warning signs and the actual impact upon our community of this year’s historic high water there is no public record of any effort by any community leader, organization, governmental or otherwise… Continue reading

Posted in Editorials | Comments Off on God warns Noah and he built an ark; God warns “Branson” and it says “Huh?”

Branson detouring traffic on Roark Valley Road at Forsythe

Motorists driving Roark Valley Road need to be aware of a detour set up at the intersection of the newly designed Forsythe Boulevard. A temporary road parallel to Roark Valley is Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Branson detouring traffic on Roark Valley Road at Forsythe

Hollister Tiger play first ever home football game

The Hollister R-V School District and the Hollister community will celebrate the opening of the new football complex on Monday, September 8, 2008 with kick off at 6:30 p.m.. Continue reading

Posted in Outdoors | Comments Off on Hollister Tiger play first ever home football game

Unusual Saturday joint budget meeting to be held

… announce an unusual joint budget meeting on Saturday, Sep. 6 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting is unusual in terms of being held on a Saturday, its location, the Branson Rec Plex and that it will be a joint meeting of the city’s three standing committees, Personnel, Finance, and Capital Improvements.
Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Unusual Saturday joint budget meeting to be held

Branson entities approve Taneycomo Bridge cost sharing application

Although it’s a long way from being a done deal, Branson’s new bridge across Lake Taneycomo took another necessary step forward Sep. 2 with the signing of the “MoDOT Partnership Development Cost Sharing Program Application” Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Branson entities approve Taneycomo Bridge cost sharing application

Branson’s Legends in Concert Fall schedule of stars

The Branson edition of the world’s greatest live tribute show announces an exciting, new fall lineup of stars The Blues Brothers (Justin Clark and Art Vargas), and Elvis (Dean Z), Garth Brooks (Steve Fairchild), Tina Turner (Lori Mitchell-Gay) and Liza Minnelli (Suzanne Goulet). Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment News | Comments Off on Branson’s Legends in Concert Fall schedule of stars

Helle hired as Branson finance director

The search for a new finance director for the city of Branson has apparently ended. Lori Helle, the current director of finance and administration for the city of Chesterfield, Missouri has been hired as its new finance director and is expected to start on effective Sep. 22. Continue reading

Posted in Local News | Comments Off on Helle hired as Branson finance director

Silver Dollar City’s Southern Gospel Picnic –Great Gospel Music and Home Cooking

Festival features award-winning entertainers, sensational singing & a picnic feast August 28- September 7 Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment News | Comments Off on Silver Dollar City’s Southern Gospel Picnic –Great Gospel Music and Home Cooking

Branson’s attempt to save $700,000 may “develop” into millions

While developers seem to get millions of city tax dollars for their projects it appears there are very few crumbs left for improvements helping the average resident and business or to simply make things easier for our guests. The answers to the following… Continue reading

Posted in Editorials | Comments Off on Branson’s attempt to save $700,000 may “develop” into millions