You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.– Psalm 12:7 - 8
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INSIDE:
• Around Town.... 10B • Churches............ 8C • Classifieds........... 9C • Food.................. 6C • Fun & Games.... 10C • Pets for Adoption �� 3A • Obituaries.......... 9A • School News........ 6B • Features ............. 1C • Voices................. 1B • Weather............. 9A
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April 12, 2024 • Volume 5, Issue #15
College of the Ozarks hosts forum, art exhibit BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer College of the Ozarks hosted the annual Spring Forum on Thursday evening, April 4. A capacity crowd gathered in Howell W. Keeter Gymnasium for “A Conversation on Israel,” featuring cultural theologian Dr. Jim Denison, founder and CEO of Denison Ministries, and The Honorable Mike Huckabee, 44th governor of Arkansas. Inspirational and patriotic prelude music was presented by the College of the Ozarks Concert Band, directed by Dr. Kevin Powers. Dr. Sue Head, vice president for cultural affairs and dean of character education, welcomed attendees, followed by presentation of the col-
ors. C of O President Brad Johnson then took the podium to honor several individuals present. C of O Chairman of the Board Shawn McKenzie and Gov. Huckabee joined Johnson for the presentation of the Friend of Israel Award to Sherry Herschend. Mrs. Herschend, an alumna of the College, came from humble beginnings, but her family instilled the value of serving and giving which led to her passion for meeting needs of others. After her marriage to Jack Herschend 70 years ago, the couple worked along with Jack’s brother, Pete, to rebuild a 19th-century mining town into the family attraction known worldwide as Silver Dollar City, and have
Huckabee and Denison receive a College of the Ozarks sweatshirt, presented by senior Christian studies major Kailey Hollmann. College of the Ozarks also presented the guests with unique stained glass pieces and a variety of student-made products. (Photo courtesy College of the Ozarks) consistently used the blessings God has entrusted them with to bless others in turn. Mrs. Herschend’s passion for Jesus and for Israel is
Release of a treasured CD – SEE PAGE 1C.
Mayor Larry Milton and local comedian Terry Sanders (Photo by K.D. Michaels)
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walked, including a visit to Nazareth Village, an historical recreation of Jesus’ boyhood home. Many in SEE FORUM, PAGE 2A
Full throttle ahead for downtown campground and vehicle park?
The legacy of daffodils – SEE PAGE 1B.
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contagious. She has shared that passion with over 2,700 people on 55 journeys to Israel, where they experience walking where Jesus
Ceremony unveils new turf fields at RecPlex BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer A ceremony at Branson’s RecPlex last weekend celebrated a huge upgrade to the facility. Hundreds of supporters and sports enthusiasts gathered for a grand opening event to commemorate new turf on the ball fields at the RecPlex. Cindy Shook, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Branson, spoke to those in attendance “We’re here tonight to cel-
ebrate the new turf baseball and softball complex,” noted Shook. “I, for one, could not be more excited for our community to experience the fields. Something that sports does is bring people together. People feel connected to their community because of sports. Playing on a team brings a sense of belonging and a common goal. Sports bring people together. Sports also teach us the value of hard work and teamwork.” Shook thanked Larry Mil-
ton and the Board of Aldermen, the Park Board, City Administrator Cathy Stepp, the Parks and Recreation Team who all helped make this project a reality. Shook also thanked the Park Maintenance Team for many of the extras that were included in the ball fields’ facelift and many members of the community and area businesses for their contributions. The improvements include sunshades, new LED SEE TURF, PAGE 6A
BY GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist At its April 5, 2024, meeting, the Branson Planning Commission approved a resolution granting a Special Use Permit for the of Full Throttle Distillery & Smokehouse to operate a campground and vehicle park on the property at 111 E. Atlantic Street, known locally as the “Old Morris Oil lot” at the junction of E. Atlantic and N. Sycamore. The staff report recommending approval of the Special Use Permit said, “The proposed campground will accommodate approximately (19) nineteen RV camping sites, provide additional lodging options for the area, and repurpose an under-utilized lot within the downtown district. The increased foot traffic the campground may generate could also benefit the nearby retail, commercial and restaurant establishments. “As part of the campground development, the applicant is proposing
additional landscaping, decorative fencing, resurfacing of the lot, and an electronic check-in/out. The existing building on site will also be repurposed/remodeled into a distillery and general storage space for the associated Full Throttle Distillery and Smokehouse Restaurant, located just a block to the south of this property. “A Campground and Vehicle use is an allowed use in the D (Downtown) zoning district with the approval of a Special Use Permit. The Branson Municipal Code describes the Downtown District as a place intended to maintain and enhance the city’s downtown as a thriving and charming mixed-use activity center. In the Downtown District, the historic character should be protected and celebrated while providing flexibility for new investment and development that complements the character of the downtown and adjacent neighborhoods.” SEE CAMPGROUND, PAGE 3A
The Beck Museums of Branson Welcome You to...
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