You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. – Psalm 16:11
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August 16, 2024 • Volume 5, Issue #33
INSIDE:
• Around Town...... 8B • Churches............ 7B • Classifieds......... 10C • Food.................. 8C • Fun & Games.... 12C • Pets for Adoption �� 3A • Obituaries........ 11A • Voices................. 1B • Weather........... 11A
PLUS:
This delta space between – SEE PAGE 1B.
Boating on the Lake, by Shelly Vorhaben, is an excellent example of area photography Branson Bank wants to collect for its next calendar. See details of their photography contest on page 3A of this issue. (Photo submitted)
Insight into the operation of the Convention Center
Southern Gospel Picnic at SDC – SEE PAGE 1C.
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BY GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist [Part 2 of 2] A feasibility study is underway regarding the expansion of the Branson Convention Center. To provide more information on the Convention Center, its operation and economic benefit to Branson, we (BG) interviewed Angie Teel (AT), CMP, the General Manager of the Branson Convention Center. We presented Part 1 of that interview last week. Part 2, in a Q & A format, follows below: BG: Why is the convention center’s expansion a good idea now? AT: With the occupancy number being pretty close to being fully occupied… you really want to start talking about an expansion because there’s only so many days in the calendar and the way that you can increase the opportunity for people to come to the building. As you add more space because you can add more days into the calendar [income producing
events] … with the cost of things going up, the buildings age, about 20 years old, repair, maintenance and all that increases the operating side of the budget line. The only way to impact the bottom line is to either cut expenses or raise revenues. BG: How many events did the Convention Center lose because of lack of availability or meeting space? AT: From 2019 to 2023, we have lost over 45 events due to the lack of meeting space and space availability… which is the second highest reason for losing business at the venue. Nearly 60% of the lost sporting event business was due to the amount of space and space availability. BG: How’s that going to change with building an expansion? AT: We’re going to have more space to sell. We will be able to bring in new and bigger events and allow existing events to grow and atSEE CONVENTION CENTER, PAGE 6A
Veterans of the Ozarks Honor Guard/Color Guard recently underwent recertification, and passed with honors! (Photo via Facebook)
VOTO holds Purple Heart Ceremony BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer On August 6, Veterans of the Ozarks hosted a Purple Heart Remembrance Ceremony at the American Legion Hall in Kimberling City. Following presentation of the colors by Veterans of the Ozarks and the Pledge of Allegiance, Lt. David “Mac” McAllister welcomed those gathered for
the remembrance event, acknowledging several area community leaders along with family members and friends who set aside the time to honor a loved one. Special mention was given of Kimberling City/Stone County area recipients including Dan Jacobs, Tom Kilgore, Bill Kidd, John Porter and Charles “Chuck” Schantag Jr., whose widow, Mary, is a strong advocate
for military veterans and their families through the work of POW Network. McAllister gave a brief historical presentation about the Purple Heart, the oldest military award in the U.S. that is still given today. It was initiated as the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782, by commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, George SEE PURPLE HEART, PAGE 6A
The Beck Museums of Branson Welcome You to...