Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior. – Psalm 38:21 - 22
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March 8, 2024 • Volume 5, Issue #10
INSIDE:
Opportunity for local • Around Town...... 9B veterans: Veterans Rhythm • Churches.......... 10B Guitar Project creates • Classifieds......... 11B ‘band of brothers’ • Food.................. 8B new • Fun & Games.... 12B • Pets for Adoption �� 3A • Obituaries........ 11A • School News........ 8A • Features/Voices �� 1B • Weather........... 10A
PLUS:
Republican caucus sees modest turnout – SEE PAGE 2A.
Submitted to Branson Gobe Larry E. Doran, founder/ instructor of the Veterans Rhythm Guitar Project began the project when he heard America is losing 17-22 veterans every day…to suicide! Thankfully, there are suicide prevention projects out there, and they save lives. According to Larry, “I believe early intervention can keep some veterans from even considering suicide. Why not offer every honorably-discharged veteran that choice? I’ll never even ask if they’ve considered suicide. This project could save a veteran’s life, and that makes it more than worthwhile.” The Veterans Rhythm Guitar Project will teach students the simplest method possible for playing rhythm guitar. In fact, students will demonstrate their ability to play two songs at the end of the first lesson. This project goes even further; it has a positive effect
on the veteran student AND their families, friends and co-workers. The students get involved in a fun, challenging project, become part of a new “Band of Brothers” and those who successfully graduate from the course get to keep the equipment as their own! Larry has played rhythm guitar for over 60 years. His method got him inducted into America’s Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame. He can play EVERY MAJOR CHORD on a guitar, using only one finger, and can play EVERY MINOR chord on a guitar, using only one additional configuration. Ask Larry to prove it! Only TWO hand positions, instead of one for every chord! All honorably-discharged veterans and active military are eligible and invited to attend these classes, at no charge. The course consists of only five consecutive onehour classes, one each week.
Veterans who graduated from the last class, with instructor Larry Doran (in the red shirt). (Special to Branson Globe) To apply, individuals must provide a copy of their DD214 or Veterans ID card. Larry developed a beginner’s guitar kit for under $250. The beginner’s guitar kits are funded by local charitable and veterans’ organizations and by some individual donors. Students will be issued complete guitar kits and accessories to take home and practice. If they learn to play rhythm guitar, they get to keep those kits...again, at no charge! Volunteer instructors are
needed to help keep up with the backlog of veterans who want to participate, and Larry is hopeful a veterans’ organization will sponsor this project. A 501(c)(3) charitable organization may apply for grants, unlike an individual can. Each donation is tax deductible; some equipment purchases will be tax exempt, and the organization would display its dedication, concern and support for America’s veterans. It will be a winwin relationship! If you have any questions,
are eligible and would like to become a student, or donate to this worthy cause, please contact Larry E. Doran at 402-363-9657, or email him at larryedoran@yahoo.com, and he will send you the information you need. The next class will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, and will consist of five weekly one-hour classes. Students will meet at the fellowship hall downstairs at the Branson First Church of the Nazarene, 300 West Hensley, in Branson, Missouri.
Branson remembers great man of God La Riviere Blanche – PAGE 7B.
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WEEKEND WEATHER: Chance of rain and 65 on Friday, then cooler the rest of the weekend, with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s.
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer The communities of Branson and Branson West mourn the loss of a wellknown minister. Cecil Todd, Founder and President of Revival Fires Ministry, passed away on Monday. Brother Todd, as he was affectionately known to many, answered the call to ministry at a young age. He preached his first sermon in a church near Willow Springs, Missouri, in 1949, at the age of 18. Brother Todd went on to become a nationally known minister, with a passion for seeing people find salvation. Throughout his over 70 years in ministry, Dr. Todd pastored a number of churches and traveled across the world, preaching a powerful message throughout the United States and in many foreign countries. He was well-known for holding large revivals and rallies, as he worked tirelessly to spread the Word of Christ. For more than 20 years, Todd hosted and produced a nationwide television program entitled “Revival Fires.” He also hosted numerous television specials, and offered counsel to two United States Presidents— Gerald Ford and Ronald
The 52 Club Wall at the Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks recognizes club members who attend at least 52 times a year. (Photo by K.D. Michaels) Todd (FILE) Reagan. In the 1990s Brother Todd began hosting Revival Fires camp meetings in Branson. Those meetings, each spanning several days, featured messages from some of the most popular pastors in the United States at that time. The Revival Fires meetings were held at Branson’s Grand Palace, the largest theater in Branson at that time, to standing room only crowds. One of the biggest undertakings of Revival Fires Ministries was the delivery of Bibles to troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 200,000 service men and women were presented with Bibles, for which Todd and his ministry had raised the money to print and ship. SEE CECIL TODD, PAGE 11A
Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks has substantial impact on area youth BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer The first thing you notice when you walk in the Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks is their attention to safety for the children. “Anyone who comes in here are approved staff or volunteers,” explained Operations Director Stoney Hays. “Background checks are conducted at orientation. It’s all about safety for the kids.” The Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks’ mission is to “inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” Locally, there are four Boys and Girls Club facilities serving youth in Taney and Stone County—Bran-
son, Forsyth, Reeds Spring and Crane. “As an organization, we serve, annually, 1,200 registered members,” said Hays. “That’s down about 400 from before Covid. We’re slowly creeping back up towards 1,600 kids. In this club alone, Branson, we see about 200 plus kids a day. That’s kids between the ages of five and 18. We’re open daily from 3 to 7 p.m. at all of our sites. However, in three of our operating sites— Forsyth, Reeds Spring and Crane—we’re open a full day on Monday to accommodate a four-day school week. We open on Monday morning for those parents that are working, and it’s like a summer day. During the summer months
we’re open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s a longer day, geared towards that working family.” “The first 45 minutes or so, we allow them to hang out with their age group, giggle and laugh, and have a little bit of fun, engage in some fun activities. Then we get them into an hour of homework help. If they don’t have homework, we have a high-yield learning activity planned that’s hopefully extending the school day through high-yield, hands-on activities,” Hays explained. “Then, after that we have a meal, a quality, nutritious meal at all of our sites, every night. It’s an important part of what we do. Last year we served a SEE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, PAGE 10A
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