• Around Town 12A
• Churches 11A
• Classifieds 10B
• Education 8A
• Food 8B
• Fun & Games 12B
• Pets for Adoption 3A
• Obituaries 10A
• Weather 10A
Special students participate in Job Olympics – SEE PAGE 3A
Bob Ford explores the tragedy of gaslighting – SEE PAGE 1B.
Submitted to Branson Globe
Each year, FFA chapters across the nation celebrate National FFA Week, a time to highlight the impact FFA has on its members and communities.
FFA Week looked a little different this year, as winter weather led to a snowed-out week. But that didn’t stop the Pirates! They made adjustments and turned FFA Week into FFA Weeks. Here’s a look at just some of the exciting events that took place.
Branson FFA members kicked off the extended celebration by hosting a Teacher Luncheon for high school teachers and administrators.
FFA members traveled to College of the Ozarks for a Career Development Event (CDE) practice session, with the Meats, Dairy Cattle and Nursery Teams sharpening their skills.
Fifteen FFA members volunteered at Ozarks Food Harvest, sorting and packFFA plant sale (Photo submitted)
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
House of Hope operates as a Warming Center, offering a safe place for Branson residents to sleep on the coldest of nights. As the weather warms up, House of Hope is closing the Warming Center for the season and reflecting on how the center helped those in need over the past winter.
“The House of Hope Warming Center opened its doors for 46 nights this winter,” explained House of Hope’s Alex Sprinkle. “Most evenings, the Warming Center averaged around 20 guests utilizing services. When we received large amounts of precipitation and snow, we saw a dramatic increase in guests. A few nights we had 35 to 40 guests utilizing the facility. Throughout the winter we saw 120 different individuals in the center. Some guests stayed most nights throughout the winter, while others stayed a few nights
before finding other housing options.”
In addition to offering guests a warm place to spend the night, the Warming Center provides dinner and breakfast, a shower facility and laundry facilities for those who stay at the Center. However, the primary focus at House of Hope is community and connection.
“It’s often the Warming Center that allows us to meet guests for the first time,” explained Sprinkle. “It provides a safe place to meet people where they’re at and encourage them to take the next step in a positive direction.”
Now that the Warming Center is closed for the season, House of Hope is looking forward to operating a Cooling Center during the summer months.
“Summer comes with dangerously high temperatures,” Sprinkle noted. “The Cooling Center
SUBMITTED BY MINDY HONEY, Silver Dollar City Foundation
Cultural diversity might not be the first thing that comes to mind when someone thinks of Branson, so it may come as a surprise to some to learn that 31 languages are spoken among Branson students.
This school year, Branson School District kicked off “Bridging Worlds: A Bilingual Literacy Adventure.” The project aims to overcome language barriers while celebrating the diverse cultural background of students. The project received a $15,000 grant from Silver Dollar City Foundation and includes monthly bilingual programs at Library Center of the Ozarks, introduces dual-language books at school, provides classrooms with language-specific materials and culminates with a multicultural event on April 4.
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
Pappo’s Pizzeria is the site of an upcoming fundraiser to benefit the Branson Police Department.
The Branson Citizens Po-
lice Academy Alumni Association is hosting the fundraiser, to be held at Pappo’s Pizzeria, on April 16. Pappo’s Pizzeria is generously donating a percentage of all sales throughout
the day to the Branson Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. All funds raised will be placed into a fund to provide the Branson Police Officers and their spouses a
night of fun at the Annual Police Awards Banquet. You are invited to join the BCPAAA and Pappo’s Pizzeria for lunch, dinner, dessert or drinks on Wednes-
day, April 16, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Pappo’s Pizzeria is located at 490 Branson Landing Blvd.
If you cannot make it to the fundraising event, the
BCPAAA is accepting cash donations, which can be accepted at any time by contacting a member of the Branson Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
ents their 2025 golf tournament to benefit CORE
leashes, etc. The Branson Humane Society very greatly appreciates the students from Alpena High School for their help. (Reported by K.D. Michaels; photo via Facebook)
–Communities of Recovery Experience.
Set for Tuesday, May 13, the tournament is a four-person scramble. The day includes a variety of contests, including a Flighted 18-hole Contest, Longest Drive, Longest Putt,
Closest to the Hole, and Hole in One Contest. Mulligans may be purchased at just $25 apiece, with up to four available per team.
Tee times are set for 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The tournament will be held at the Thousand Hills Golf
Area veterans honored by Quilts of Valor of the Ozarks
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer
On Friday, March 28,
Quilts of Valor of the Ozarks presented several area veterans with handmade quilts in recognition of their service to our country. Woodland Lanes Bowling Center, located at 2126 E. St. Hwy. 76 in Branson, hosted the presentation ceremony.
The following veterans were honored with a quilt:
Daren Breedlove Jr., U.S.
Navy
• Marty and Kathy Garrick, U.S. Army
• Ronald Garrick, U.S.
Navy
• Phil Pate, U.S. Air Force
Jim VanDerPloeg, U.S.
Navy
• Robert Taylor, U.S. Air Force
As part of the presentation ceremony, special acknowledgement was given of Vietnam Veterans Day, observed on March 29. Quilts of Valor of the Ozarks has included the reading of the poem, “The Parade,” at quilt presentations since the poem was published in the Branson Globe during Veterans Homecoming Week last November. Friday’s ceremony was made extra special as the poem’s author, local veteran Shawn Murphy, was able to attend and personally read the poem, a poignant expression of his thoughts
Resort. Registration is $500 per team, and includes green fees, carts, gifts and prizes.
To register for the tournament, contact Jim at 573263-4365 or via email at Jim@CORE-USA.org or Tami at 417-231-6969 or
through email at Tami@ CORE-USA.org.
All of the proceeds from the event go to help individuals searching for freedom from alcoholism or addiction. For more information, visit CORE-USA. org/golftournament.
during a Veterans parade as he realized that many Vietnam veterans never were given such thanks.
QOVO would like to thank Daren, Sr. and Patty Breedlove, owners of Woodland Lanes, for the
FFA WEEKS Continued from page 1A
aging 8,220 pounds of produce in under three hours, which resulted in 6,850 meals for those in need.
Members wrapped up the week with a fun night at the 1984 Arcade, enjoying fellowship together. The “Future Farmers of America” was established in 1928 by a group of young farmers with the goal of preparing future generations to tackle the challenges of feeding a growing world. They emphasized that agriculture is more than just planting and harvesting –it’s a science, a business and an art. Today, the National FFA Organization continues to focus on the success of each individual student, offering opportunities for leadership development, personal growth and career achievement through agri-
cultural education. Branson FFA is guided by advisors Nicole Crocker and Aaron Magnuson. Crocker shared, “Since January, Mr. Magnuson and I have been training our Career Development Event teams. This year, we have teams in Meats, Dairy Cattle, FFA Knowledge, Agricultural Mechanics and Nursery & Landscape, along with three prepared public speakers. The contest season is in full swing, and we’re looking forward to the Southwest District Contest in early April and, hopefully, qualifying for State later in the month. We’re very proud of the hard work our students have put in, and can’t wait to see what they accomplish.” Get ready for another exciting spring event: the Annual FFA Spring Greenhouse Sale! Stay tuned for an upcoming April date when you’ll have the chance to purchase a variety of student-grown plants and flowers.
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
Stone County voters will be deciding on a possible new tax in next week’s municipal election. If passed by voters, a 3% tourism tax will be
placed on lodging, including motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts and short-term rentals. Revenue from the tax would be used to market tourism in the Table Rock Lake area. The tax would be placed on lodg-
ing facilities in the southern part of Stone County, but would exclude the area of Indian Point.
“The money goes to the Stone County Commission. They’re ultimately in charge of the funds,”
explained Sheila Thomas, President and CEO of the Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
“They will determine how those funds are handled.” Thomas indicated that if the tax does pass, the
Stone County Commission would probably hire a company to handle the marketing for the Table Rock Lake area. Thomas also noted that getting the tourism tax on the ballot has been a long,
drawn-out process, noting that there have been discussions of a tourism tax for many years. If the Stone County Tourism tax does pass, it will be one of the lowest in the state, at just 3%.
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer
On Thursday, March 27, Branson High School hosted the annual Job Olympics, with 311 students representing 21 schools participating. Now in its seventh year, the Job Olympics is a competition for high school students with disabilities or special education needs, competing in simulation activities that mimic actual real-life job environments.
The job simulations are set up in the high school gym, and signs for each station indicate the type of employer, such as a grocery store, department store, kitchen, restaurant, hotel, animal boarding kennel and many more, with 53 jobs to choose from. Special education teachers discuss the event with students in advance to help them select their interests and sign up for their choice of three jobs for the competition.
The Job Olympics is not only fun and an activity with friends, but also
a pivotal part of transition to a post-secondary lifestyle, said Tracy Hall, who coordinates transition services for Branson High School. It gives students an opportunity to showcase their talents to potential employers; provides a supportive environment to gain valuable experience and enhance their skills; and helps boost confidence, as they realize there are many opportunities in the workforce for them to use those skills.
“These students possess an immense amount of potential,” said Hall, “and Job Olympics is an avenue for students to harness their abilities and show employers they are ready for the workforce!”
The event included an opening ceremony with Brian Reed of Coffee Creations serving as master of ceremonies. Dylan Pratt, also with Coffee Creations, sang the National Anthem; and the ceremony also included The Amazing Acrobats with the Shanghai Circus. Competition judg-
es were area business owners and professionals from the community and in education. Volunteers helping host and staff the event also included professionals from the community, as well as adults who participate in programs at Tantone Industries, Barnabas Prep, Stone County Board, and Coffee Creations.
After the opening ceremony, students proceeded to the gym where volunteers guided them through the various competition stations. They were proud of their bed-making speed and cleaning expertise at the hotel/hospitality station; eagerly showed off neat results stocking grocery shelves at the “Country Mart” area; counted back correct change for a simulated purchase; quickly loaded a dishwasher; and set a neat restaurant dining table—and much more.
Several students also enjoyed interacting with “Cash,” the new therapy/ support dog for Blue Eye schools, who attended the
event with Superintendent Kelli Alumbaugh to support their students and meet new ones. As many of the students enjoy animals, the animal care station was a popular competition, where students transferred stuffed dogs to temporary holding kennels and were evaluated on how quickly and thoroughly they could clean the original kennel.
All of the special education teachers attending said it is something their students look forward to; and the excitement was evident as students eagerly got off the buses at BHS to begin their morning of fun and competition. Area employers are encouraged to coordinate with school transition personnel about their staffing needs and help these wonderful students find their place contributing to their communities!
www.turtlecreekbranson.com info@turtlecreekbranson.com
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff
Writer
Many people residing or visiting in southwest Missouri enjoy doing so at least partly because of Table Rock Lake. And those younger than about age 70
Submitted to Branson Globe
The Forsyth Library had to cancel their annual St. Patrick’s Day potato bake and raffle event for this year. Instead, we are springing into our spring fundraiser, “Let’s Get
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
The Library Center of the Ozarks is pleased to announce the return of the Master Gardeners of the Ozarks’ workshops. During the winter months, the Master Gardeners take a break from teaching to prepare for a slate of new classes.
Mary O’Brien, who organizes and leads the classes, said “Teaching classes at the Library helps to further our mission to provide hor-
likely take the beauty and fun associated with the lake for granted. But if you’ve ever wondered how Table Rock Lake came to be, or who built Table Rock Dam, you’ll want to join Kimberling Area Library for
READiculous on Reading.” We have collected several donations to restaurants, various shows and merchandise. We started selling raffle tickets at the library on April 2. Raffle tickets will be $1 each. The
ticultural information and training to the gardening public.”
New programs will be held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m.
All library programs are free and open to the public; no registration is required.
Please mark your calendar now so you do not miss any of the programs!
April 22: Seed Starting
• June 24: Planting in Clay Soil
Learning on Wednesday on April 9, to learn more about the history of that massive building project. In 1954, David Whetstone was in the fifth grade when the dam construction began. His father accepted a
library is open Wednesday thru Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Come see us at the Forsyth Spring Fling, Saturday, April 26, in Forsythia Park where we will be selling raffle tickets, seeking
July 22: A Year in the Life of a Beehive
August 26: Succulent
Propagation
• September 23: Preserving Garden Herbs
In addition to the classes, the Master Gardeners also take care of the landscaping at LCO. Library Director
Essy Day commented, “We are so fortunate to have such talented and caring people to not only teach classes, but also volunteer their time to plant, weed, water` and tend
call from Harold Maxwell, General Superintendent and electrical expert overseeing the huge project over a four-year period, so David has fond memories of his family’s involvement. Now retired from a career in avi-
volunteers for the library and thrift store, signing up to be a Friend of the Library, and library card applications will be available. Stop by the park and grab a free book for your children. Raffle drawing
to all the beautiful flowers and plants around the library. Mary, Steve, Marina and Shanna recently updated the landscaping by installing planters at the front of the building. We cannot wait until spring when the flowers bloom!” Kids Book Swap
The Library Center of the Ozarks is hosting a Kids Book Swap on Saturday.
The Library is partnering with the College of the Ozarks Rotaract Club for
ation supporting wide global travel, David will share his memories for a dynamic presentation, sure to spark or renew your interest in the history of our local community.
This informative session will begin at 10:15 a.m. on
Wednesday, April 9, in the Library Community Room at 45 Kimberling Blvd. in Kimberling City. Coffee and light snacks are provided; pre-registration is not required, and attendance is FREE.
will be Thursday, May 1. We will call the winners, so you don’t have to be present to win. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward the purchase of much needed computers, security system for library and thrift store, and some maintenance that we have had to set aside. We wish to thank the community for their continued support. We can’t wait to see you at the Forsyth Spring Fling.
this fun annual event.
Children ages three to 13 are invited to bring a book to the library, and exchange it for another book of their choice for free. Children are encouraged to write a note inside the book they bring for the book’s new owner. Some children’s books may be provided for those who are unable to bring their own books.
The Book Swap is set for Saturday, April 5, 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Library Center of the Ozarks, 200 South 4th Street in Branson. Bring a book, get a book, Saturday, April 5, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. For more information about the Library’s services, programs and resources please visit the website at LCOzarks. com, follow the Library on Facebook and Instagram (lcozarks) or call the Library at 417-334-1418.
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer
“Your health is your wealth!” Have you ever heard that statement, but been unsure how to make good health happen consistently? On Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., join local natural, holistic and alternative wellness providers from around the Branson area at Pointe Royale Clubhouse, 142 Clubhouse Drive in Branson. At this wellness event, you will find a unique selection of resources, products and tips to help you live a healthy lifestyle.
This resource fair is a great opportunity for everyone in-
terested in improving or maintaining health—whether it’s looking for alternatives to treatments that haven’t worked or have undesirable side effects, or working in tandem with your doctor’s advice by including natural ways to boost your energy and immunity, you’ll find a variety of options. There will also be healthy food and drinks to enjoy as you browse and ask questions.
The following providers will be participating in this wellness event:
Whole Food Nutrition/ Juice Plus – Mary Scherer, RN Stem Cell Activation
Patches/Lifewave –Mary Jo Green and Patty
Davis
• Shape Shifters Pilates
Studio presenting Bemer Technology – Shelley Hampton Essential Oils/Young Living – Carolyn Dejager
Healthy Home Cleaning by Brianna – Brianna Slater
• A Sweet Escape Hair and Nail Salon – Emma Cronin and Brooklynn Bartlett
A Sweet Escape Massage Therapist – Jennifer Dean
• Thrive Chiropractic – Dr. Tim St. Onge Alive and Well Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy –Cindy Kelly
Aesthetician/Skincare by Sarah – Sarah Ridgeway
Healthy Avenues Non-Invasive Holistic Treatments – Diane Jenkins
HH Organics Colloidal Silver and Hemp Oil –Tim and Cynthia Peak
• CrossFit Branson Personal Trainer – Nathan
Michael King
• Thai Body Work Treatment – Brighter Lights Wellness
Attendees will also be eligible for a drawing for a $150 gift card from Nature’s Wonders! Good health truly is wealth—so come on along and check out the possibilities for living your best life this year!
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
A time-honored Branson tradition continues – with a recent change in ownership.
The Branson Auction was established more than 45 years ago. The popular automobile auction began in the early 1980s when it was founded by Branson pioneer Mark Trimble. Trimble sold the Auction to Jim Cox in 1988. Jim and his wife, Kathy owned and operated the auction until last September, when it was purchased by Roger and Mary Napper.
Roger and Mary, along with their son, Joshua, are looking forward to working with their customers and expanding their new business.
The Nappers have been in the automobile business since 1988 and have been friends and customers of the Branson Auction for more than 35 years, beginning when the event was held in the parking lot of White Water.
“We moved to Branson to take an early retirement, and Jim offered to sell the auction to us in early 2024,”
explained Roger Napper.
Due to having lost their son in a car accident in March of 2024, Roger and Mary decided to wait until September to finalize the purchase of the auction, and enjoyed their first auction as the new owners in October of last year.
The Napper family will continue a longstanding tradition established for the Branson Auction of service: service to the collector, the restorer, the mechanic, transporter, insurance provider and all who come in contact with the in-
dividuals that love their cars, bikes, boats or memorabilia.
“We have been extremely fortunate to have such an outpouring of kindness from the collector car market customers,” Roger noted. “We have about 235 vehicles consigned for the upcoming auction, as of March 31, so I am anticipating about 250 total.”
Napper shared some of the vehicles that will be up for auction this month.
“We have a large Corvette lineup, including some very rare editions, and we
have a 1937 Packard Super 8 Deluxe Phaeton, also,” said Roger. “We also have a Saleen Mustang selling at No Reserve on Saturday, with 100% of the proceeds going to a nonprofit cancer research company.”
The spring auction is set for Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12, beginning at 10 a.m. each day. The auction is held at the Branson Convention Center.
“On Thursday night, April 10, we have a charity auction for the Taney
County 100 Club, to raise money for them,” Napper explained. “Entry fee is $15 for one day or $25 for both,” said Roger. “Current or retired military price is $10 for one day or $15 for both with ID. We have vehicles built on national television shows, celebrity ownership cars, very rare vehicles and wild custom vehicles this sale. Come see for yourself what all will be in store at the Branson Auction April 11 and 12.”
“When we think about kids who come to our area who don’t know English and are trying their best to fit in, to be successful, and to be understood, this project gives them hope and it gives them an edge up,” said DeAnna Sheets, Branson’s director of curriculum, assessment and federal programs. Story time
Spanish. The kids enjoyed an activity and craft before receiving their own English and Spanish versions of the book to take home.
In February, the district kicked off a monthly Spanish story time at Library Center of the Ozarks where children were read the book “The Snowy Day” in English and
In addition to creating bilingual story time, grant funds are also being used to purchase classroom resources.
“Language barriers often impede EL students’ ability
While the event brought kids and parents together, it also helped connect English Learner (EL) families to the library, where Sheets hopes they will become comfortable and learn about all the great resources available to them and their families.
operates as a safe space for individuals to cool off and relax when the temperature hits 95 degrees. The Center opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. Guests are provided with breakfast and lunch. They also have access to the shower facility and laundry facility. This is a resource that is available to anyone, not just the unsheltered community. If anyone is without access to proper cooling, they are encouraged to come.”
In addition to the Warming Center and Cooling Center, House of Hope serves the community in many important ways.
Said Sprinkle, “The Advocacy Office provides a space for individuals to come and receive services and connect with staff members. We serve breakfast Monday through Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. Guests are welcome to sign up for showers and laundry as
to fully engage with curriculum, leading to academic gaps, and risk of losing connection with the cultural heritage, which affects their sense of identity and belonging,” she said. “The main focus of this grant is to create dual learning opportunities for all students.”
well throughout the week. Guests can receive mail at House of Hope, making correspondence with SNAP and Medicaid benefits much easier. In addition to these services, House of Hope also connects clients to education and resources that produce long-term change. Guests are assisted with connecting to mental health resources, medical care, sober living facilities and government benefits. The House of Hope crew anticipates participating in several outreach events throughout the summer. These partnerships are completed with other nonprofit and church partners. At outreach events, we provide food and hygiene to guests.”
The House of Hope is grateful to the businesses and individuals in the Branson community who support them, not just in the winter, but all year long.
“The generosity and kindness of the individuals and businesses here
While Spanish is the second most spoken language in Branson schools, Sheets said there are 29 other languages spoken which means teachers and staff have to get creative.
“To support students learning English, we provide bilingual books and class-
SEE BILINGUAL, PAGE 10A
blow us away,” said Sprinkle. “Thank you so much to all those who have contributed with your time and resources to serve those in need. Our community is better because of your willingness to love people.”
If your church, business or organization is interested in gaining more information about House of Hope and what they do, the nonprofit is happy to share information with you.
“Many churches and groups have presented an opportunity for House of Hope to share about our organization and the work we do,” Sprinkle said. “We are more than excited to continue to share the work we do in Branson and the surrounding areas. If your church, business or small group is interested in learning more about House of Hope and ways to get connected, we would love to share. The best way to contact us is through email at hopehousebranson@gmail.com.”
Take part in Branson Public Schools Community Survey
Take a few minutes to let your voice be heard! The district needs your input to help plan and design successful programs for our schools.
This survey is open to all Branson families and community members. All responses are confidential. The survey will remain open until Friday, April 11, 2025. Survey link is: https://form.jotform.com/250824883607161
Thank you for your participation!
March Pirate Proud honoree
We are excited to celebrate Rachel Giles as our March Pirate Proud honoree! Mrs. Giles is a dedicated Special Education teacher at Cedar Ridge Intermediate, where she has been making a positive impact on students for the past three years. Her passion for helping every student succeed, combined with her unwavering commitment to inclusion, creates a supportive and nurturing environment for all.
One nominator shared, “Mrs. Giles truly desires to meet the needs of all of her students. She sees their talents and strengths and looks for ways to build on them. Her calm demeanor and ability to create a safe environment for her students to share their thinking and try hard things allow for her classroom to be one that students thrive in.”
We want to celebrate our staff and the incredible job they do to support our district! From our amazing teachers to our dedicated cafeteria cooks, our district is packed with Pirates making a difference for kids. If you have noticed someone going above and beyond to make our district better, please complete a Pirate Proud nomination form at this link: https://bit.ly/3AytT1S
Branson Schools 2025-26 kindergarten registration
Branson Public Schools kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year will open on April 14. To be considered for placement, children must reside within the boundaries of Branson School District, turn five years old on or before July 31, 2025, and complete a free developmental screening through the Branson Parents as Teachers program. Screenings will be held at Buchanan Elementary on April 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., and at Cedar Ridge Primary on April 16 and 17 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Families should bring proof of residency, proof of age, immunization records, and the parent or legal guardian’s ID to the screening. If you are unable to attend a screening on the dates of-
fered, please call the building your student will attend to make an appointment.
To sign up for a kindergarten screening and for more information please visit our district website at www.branson. k12.mo.us
Hollister kindergarten round-up
Kindergarten round-up is just around the corner! If you or someone you know has a child turning five years old before August 1, be sure to come and check it out!
The event will be on Wednesday, April 16, at 5 p.m. at the Hollister Early Childhood Center. While there, you will have the opportunity to meet the kindergarten teachers, explore a school bus, attend an informative meeting, and have questions answered!
Please RSVP at https://forms.gle/zae65Uhta56YUWUy5 or by calling 417-243-4015.
Reeds Spring School District recognizes Exellence Award winners
ment officials and tour the Capitol building. This trip helps students gain a better understanding of government while experiencing the inner workings of our Missouri House of Representatives.
Students had an opportunity to sit in the gallery and enjoy the representatives’ discussion and the process of voting on bills. Additionally, they were able to meet with Taney County Representative Brian Seitz and Stone County Representative Burt Whaley.
Every month, the Reeds Spring School District recognizes one non-teaching staff member and one certified teacher as Excellence Award winners. The winners for March are Brenda Miller and Nicole Rantz.
Miller is a paraprofessional at Reeds Spring Middle School.
“Ms. Brenda goes above and beyond for the students. She is able to build relationships with students that others cannot. She knows how to show the students she cares for them,” said teacher Jen Mayfield.
Rantz is a sixth grade teacher at Reeds Spring Intermediate School.
Student Nora Mitchell said, “Mrs. Rantz is a really good teacher because no matter what you need, she is always there for you. If you don’t get the process of a math problem, she will show you and continue to encourage you until you can get it right. She makes us feel like we can solve and accomplish anything!”
The district accepts Excellence Award nominations from students, staff, parents, and community members. You can find the nomination form at www.rs-wolves.com.
School of the Ozarks takes field trip to Missouri Capitol Building
School of the Ozarks seventh graders recently took their annual trip to Jefferson City, Missouri, to meet with govern-
Seitz took them to the upper dome of the Capitol building which overlooks the Missouri River and the capital city. Additionally, Seitz stayed and visited with the students as they were led on a tour through the Capitol building.
“It is a blessing to cooperate with our Taney County Representative, Mr. Brian Seitz, while planning and executing this trip,” said Jennifer Carey, assistant professor at School of the Ozarks. “Representative Seitz welcomes our students each year, makes them feel at home in their State Capitol building, and treats them with kindness and respect. He makes time for the kids, shares what it is like to be a representative in the state of Missouri, and takes them on a tour throughout the building, including his own office.”
Burt Whaley met the seventh graders outside the gallery, introduced himself, explained how he represents his constituents, and answered the students’ questions about Missouri government.
Will Burney, a School of the Ozarks 2023 graduate currently interning with the Missouri Senate, met with the students at the Capitol and shared the impact the Jefferson City trip had on him as a School of the Ozarks seventh grader.
“It was this trip that got me interested in government service,” Burney said. “I’m here today serving as a Senate intern because of what I learned on this trip.”
“This trip supports our academic, cultural, patriotic, vocational and Christian pillars,” Carey said. “It shows students their government in action and encourages them to get involved in serving others.
meaningful learning experiences in their classrooms.” Festival of Nations
room materials in multiple languages, not just Spanish, but Gujarati, and many others, allowing students to use their native language as a bridge to learn English,” she said. “We also utilize translation devices and iPads to assist with communication and instruction, ensuring that students have access to
On April 4, the district will host Festival of Nations at Branson High School from 5-8 p.m. The Festival of Nations will include bounce houses, food vendors, dancers and an opportunity for families to showcase where they are from and their cultures. The district will also
honor students who have earned a Pathways Award as part of the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy program. In 2024, about 300 Branson students received a Pathway Award.
The event is free and open to the public.
“The research that supports knowing a second language is so vast,” Sheets said. “It’s not just about knowing a second language,
but also it is shown to increase your attention span, improve communication skills, improve academic performance, enhance a person’s cultural enrichment and much more.”
Creating a culture of understanding She said while the project is aimed at supporting EL students and their families, it’s a great opportunity to
raise awareness about the benefits of biliteracy and understanding other cultures.
“When students have cultural awareness, it creates empathy,” she said. “When I was a classroom teacher, I didn’t understand at first why one of my students wouldn’t look me in the eye. We often look at this as disrespectful but where the student was from, it was
disrespectful to look me in the eye. When we understand cultural differences, it strengthens us as a community and makes us better.” Silver Dollar City Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation dedicated to helping children and families. To learn more about Silver Dollar City Foundation, visit SilverDollarCityFoundation.com.
& STERLING
SETS OF STERLING FLATWARE-HUSQVARNA VIKING OPAL 690Q SEWING MACHINE-WHITE QUILTERS FRIEND MACHINE-JANOME MEMORY CRAFT 300E MACHINE-LARGE VARIETY OF SEWING FABRIC-& SUPPLIES-QUILTING ITEMS-GRANDFATHER CLOCK-PYREX BUTTERPRINT BOWLS-CROCK BOWLS-ITALIAN ANIMAL FIGURES-WHITE MOUNTAIN ICE CREAM FREEZERS-WATERFORD CRYSTAL-LENOX CHINA-OIL PAINTINGS-MID CENTURY DECOR-LARGE COLLECTION OF CAT DECOR & COLLECTIBLES-VINTAGE GI JOES-CHRIST-
MAS & FALL DECOR-NICE MAPLE HUTCH & SERVER-ANTIQUE TABLE & CHAIRS-OAK CHINA CABINET-LIFT CHAIR-2 MAPLE TWIN BEDS-MATCHING CHEST,DRESSER & 2 NIGHTSTANDS-CEDAR CHEST-UPRIGHT DEEP FREEZE-3 WHEEL BICYCLE-SEVERAL NEW ICE CHEST-70+ LARGE CALIBER BOXES OF AMMO-MILWAUKEE CORDLESS TOOL SET-SEVERAL SETS OF SNAP-ON TOOLS-GUN CLEANING KITS-DEWALT TOOLS-KNIFE SHARPENERS-CAMOUFLAGE HUNTING GEARAND LOTS MORE.MORE DETAILS AT ESTATESALES.NET OR AUCTIONZIP.COM AUCTIONEER ID#32112
You are encouraged to worship with us!
• 3 Pregnancy Lifeline fundraiser, 6-8 p.m., New Testament Christian Church, 21016 Main St., Reeds Spring. Featuring Fly-By-Night Bluegrass Band and a delicious BBQ dinner. Donations appreciated to help provide valuable assistance to Stone County moms facing difficult pregnancy circumstances. RSVP by March 20 to Gina@ PregnancyLifeLine.com or call 417-272-5210.
• 3 Mina Thomas Brett in Concert, The Nest Concert Venue, 7:30 –9:30 p.m. Mina Thomas Brett is a versatile artist skilled in jazz, Gospel, and soul. She’s a talented songwriter and poet and a valued vocalist in the Billboard charting worship collective ‘the King will come.’ 800 MO-248 Bldg. 3A, Branson. Reserve tickets at nestconcerts.com. For more information, nestconcerts. com
• 3 SEArenity Yoga at Wonders of Wildlife,
7:30-8:30 p.m. Join our certified yoga instructor as she leads you through an hour of relaxation and restorative yoga practices. If you are a newcomer to yoga or a seasoned yogi, this class is for you. Please bring a yoga mat, and any props you may need. Ages 13-plus. 500 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. https://wondersofwildlife.org/events/ 4 Central Bank FREE Shred Day, 9 a.m-12 p.m. Downtown Branson, next to the main bank (Dollar General parking lot). Central Bank is offering secure paper shredding with complimentary, drive-thru unloading. You are welcome to bring up to three bags or boxes of papers to shred.
• 4 Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce: Join us for Hollister Community Night at Springfield Cardinals (vs. Wichita Wind Surge) at 6:35 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for only $12 and are available at Hollis-
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
IMAX W 1:00, 3:30, 7:20
OZARKS Q 10:00
SECRETS
ter Country Mart, Hollister R-V Schools and Hollister Chamber. The award-winning Hollister High School Tiger Pride Band will perform outside the stadium prior to the game. The Hollister High School Choir will be perform the “National Anthem.” The Hollister Middle School will perform “God Bless America.” The Hollister Cub Choir will perform “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch. Fireworks will be presented following the game. For more information, 417-3343050; HollisterChamber. net. Sponsored by Central Bank.
• 5 Health and wellness event, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. This is a health and wellness event with 14 different vendors at the Pointe Royale Clubhouse. We will have a drawing for a $150 gift card from Natures Wonders. There is no entry fee. 142 Clubhouse Dr., Branson. 5 Spring Breeze Craft
Show, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fourth annual Spring Breeze Craft Show. We will have 40 vendors for guests to shop from. All kinds of handmade crafts to homemade baked goodies for the whole family. Free admission, too, so come visit and get your Spring/Easter shopping done. New Testament Christian Church (formally OLD Reeds Spring High School), 21016 Main Street, Reeds Spring. Look for the signs at Hwy. 76 and Hwy. 13 to point you in the right direction. We are one block west of Hwy 13 and 76 stoplight. For more information, Spring Breeze Craft Show on Facebook.
• 5 Jukebox Winos: LIVE MUSIC at TAPS on Downing St., 6-8 p.m. Enjoy 24 craft beers and cider on tap, local wines, and Hook and Ladder’s Pizza truck on site in this modern-rustic local tap room and beer garden. We’ll play favorite covers and original music. 260 Birdcage Walk, Hollister.
7:30
MUFASA: THE LION KING W 12:30, 3:00, 6:50
For more information: www.jukeboxwinos.com; www.tapsondowning. com; 417-544-0610.
• 6 Branson Masonic Lodge #587 Spaghetti Lunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Spaghetti lunch, all you care to eat for the low price of only $10. Spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread, salad, dessert and a drink. 100 Chiefs Ct., Branson. The Branson Masonic Lodge #587 supports local school lunch programs, by providing funds for students that cannot afford a hot meal. We also provide funds for socks and underwear for school children. We also provide funds for those in need. For more information, 318-349-2559.
• 6 Free Gospel Concert: Jammin’ for Jesus free gospel concerts are every first Sunday of the month, April through December at The Hughes Brothers Theater, 3425 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson. It’s a different concert with new and amazing guests every month. Join us for a time of praise and giving, 2-4 p.m. For more information, https://www. bransonjamminforjesus.
com
• 7 Kimberling Area Library: High Tide in Hawaii (Magic Tree House Book Club, 10:30 a.m.
Program lasts about one hour. Library is located at 45 Kimberling Blvd, Kimberling City.
• 8 Homeschool Health Screening Day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE Homeschool Health Screening for kiddos aged 0-17. Screening covers vision, hearing, behavioral, developmental issues and more. VERY limited slots remaining! Text “unsocialized” to 417-228-8229 to register your kiddo(s) today! 3940 Green Mountain Drive, Branson. Screening will be held at Countryside Physical Therapy. For more information, 417228-8229.
• 9-20 Services at Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church. April 9: Our last Wednesday Lenten soup dinner, 6 p.m.; April 13: Palm Sunday, 10-11:15 a.m.; April 17: Maundy Thursday, 6 p.m.; April 18: Good Friday, 6 p.m.; April 20: Easter Sunday, 10 a.m. Every Sunday, 10 a.m.: service followed by coffee/social hour. Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, phone: 417-334-3968; email: shec.episcopal@ gmail.com, Fr. Bill Myrick. 107 Walnut Lane, Branson. For more information, go to our Facebook page: https://facebook.com/ shepherdofthehillsepiscopalchurch
BY BOB FORD, Writer, history buff and regular visitor to Branson. You can find more of Bob’s work including his historical podcasts on his website bobfordshistory.com. Bob can be reached at robertmford@aol.com.
If you love history, we are seeking comments and sponsors to support this column. Contact Rob at the Branson Globe, 417-3349100, for details. Part 1
Gaslighting: “A form of psychological manipulation in which the abuser attempts to sow self-doubt and confusion in their victim’s mind. Seeking to gain control over the other person, by distorting reality and forcing them to question their own judgment and self-worth.” It happened in my family. In the late 1800s and ear-
ly 1900s gaslighting was perfected by wealthy white men who wanted to separate from their wives; it was too scandalous to just get a divorce. It was far easier to get them committed to a mental institution, says Kami Jones of St Joseph, Missouri’s Glore Psychiatric Museum. Just concoct a little mental problem at home like depression, uncleanness, or anti-social behavior and you’re in. Women didn’t stand a chance.
Think of the movie “Gaslight,” brilliantly acted by Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman and Angela Lansbury
that brought gaslighting out in the open, but not much changed. It may have unfortunately given many desperate and depraved men ideas. My Great Aunt Harriette Arnold was living the life. Daughter of famed Native American artifact collector Harry George, she had married Henry Arnold who was a Shell Oil executive in charge of developing the Caspian Sea oil fields. Those fields made Shell Oil. Hitler was after that Caspian Sea production and Romania’s Ploiesti oil deposits when his army was stopped in 1943 at Stalingrad, turn-
ing the tide of World War II.
I’ve seen the pictures of Harriette, skiing in Innsbruck, lounging on the Riviera and yachting down the Danube in the 1920s. She had it all! Then she got pregnant and came back to St. Joseph to have the baby. Harry Jr. was born in her sister’s, my grandmother’s house, on Lovers Lane in St. Joe, the same house where my father was born. Things quickly went downhill; who knew what was going on in Europe with her husband but Henry would come back periodically. My mother said Harri-
ette was accused of “smothering her baby?” The child was fine but taken away by Henry. Harriette, of course, fiercely reacted. Into an asylum she went. Again, from Kami Jones, “wear whatever clothes you want them buried in when they arrive because they are not going to get better or go home!” At the time the law was, if a spouse had been institutionalized for over one year a divorce could be granted without a hearing – how simple. Harriette, now divorced, had gone from frequenting the La Scala Opera
First Amendment to the United States Constitution Congress shall make no law respecting an establishement of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
ROB DOHERTY Publisher (504) 583-8907 robd@bransonglobe.com
JANET STEINKAMP Editor editor@bransonglobe.com
GARY J. GROMAN Independent Journalist
ROSE BUCKLES Freelance Writer/Bilingual Rosebuckles1999@gmail. com
KIM CHAPPELL Ad Designer gabbydor210@gmail.com
MARK FEDER Taney Co. Sales Rep. (805) 320-3746 shotgunart@yahoo.com
JOHN FULLERTON Area Historian cowboyclub1994@gmail.com
LUANNA FULLERTON Entertainment Writer bransonglobeluanna@ gmail.com
TIFFANY GRAVETT Staff Writer tiffanykgravett@gmail.com
KAREN HALFPOP Digital/Production Mgr. production@bransonglobe. com
K.D. MICHAELS Staff Writer kdmichaelsbranson1@ gmail.com
CYNTHIA J. THOMAS Staff Writer cjthomas74@yahoo.com www.cynthiajthomas.com
DARYL WEATHER Weather Forecaster bransonwx@gmail.com
EDITORIAL
POLICY:
The comments on opinion pages are the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily those of the Branson Globe, or its staff. Have something to say? Share it with us in your own Letter to the Editor. Letters to the editor sent via e-mail and fewer than 400 words are given preference. Published or unpublished letters become the property of the newspaper and will not be returned. All letters must include, name, address, and verifiable phone number. The editors may refuse publication of any letter that is libelous, in poor taste, or that endorses a business or product. Letters are subject to editing. © 2025 Branson Globe Newspaper, LLC. All rights reserved.
BY GARY J. GROMAN
a.k.a.
The Ole Seagull, Columnist Emeritus
ABSOLUTELY.”
“Ah,
Seagull, if you don’t know the difference between ‘sense’ and ‘cents,’ why should we care if it makes sense to you?”
“Simply put, because in the opinion of an Ole Seagull, ‘cents’ or ‘sense,’ ‘potato’
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS Staff Writer
T
he book of Acts tells us much about how to share the gospel—building cross-cultural relationships, encouraging new believers, relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance, and remaining faithful even if hardships come. After studying Acts with Global University last month, I’m enjoying even more time in it with the Proverbs 31 Ministries community.
BY JOSHUA HESTON StateoftheOzarks.net
The pear tree in the yard has leafed, shade dappled beneath an increasingly hot sun. Mist rose in the holler last night, turning the sunset red. Red sky in morning, sailors take warning. The grass beneath the pear is already thick and raucous, overgrown where the lawn had once been mown clean. This tree was planted in a different time, a time when this place was a hopeful farm. The big front room window of the big ranch style house promised stability, a prosperous future, of forever family gatherings, of every generation’s
BY TIFFANY GRAVETT Staff Writer
This week’s column is written by Aaron Gravett. “But God commendeth
or “potato,’ a ‘Yes’ vote for the extension of the onehalf cent Transportation Sales Tax on April 8, 2025, makes both ‘cents’ and ‘sense.’ It’s one of only two Branson City taxes that directly benefits the individual Branson voter just about every day.”
The Public Safety Sales Tax for our police and fire departments because, whether or not we directly use their services every day, we all have a level of protection and security just knowing that they’re there if we need them. In a similar manner, the
Acts 14 details how Barnabas and Paul—formerly Saul, himself a persecutor of Christians— joined the teaching team in Syrian Antioch, and were then directed by the Holy Spirit to go out and make even more disciples. After a preaching and church-planting tour of several cities in the region of Pisidia, v. 21-22 says they “returned to Lystra, Iconium and Pisidian Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith.”
On that missionary trip, they experienced opposition at almost every stop. Yet, there were also people in each town who became believers, and churches were planted. In spite of being opposed by the re-
Transportation Sales Tax, among other things, pays for the roads and transportation system that most voters and tourists that our economy depend on travel every day.
Let’s look at it from a “cents” perspective. The financial foundation of Branson, a town of about 13,000, depends on about 7-10 million tourists a year having a great experience in Branson. That requires roads and a transportation system that can accommodate them and not adversely affect their Branson experience, so that they will
ligious establishment and pagan culture, run out of town, and even beaten, Barnabas and Paul dared to stop back by on their return trip in order to encourage those churches.
That realization brought me to reflect on the many people who have strengthened me over the years. My parents demonstrated strong faith in spite of their own hardships and physical challenges. Although I had typical teenager issues with their rules and wish I had paid better attention to their advice as a young adult, they were always there for me, urging me to make Bible-based decisions and to stay in Christian community. Another huge source of encouragement in my Christian walk has been missionaries, and their
betterment, the simple result of obedience, of listening to the experts, and staying sagely up-to-date with every new headline. Spring time. The kids are playing amid the trash next door, trailer house screen door slamming. The blue Ford Ranger doesn’t run anymore. Scrub trees grow up from beneath rusted axles. Soulful-eyed hound barks, chained to the truck’s bumper and barking from the shade beneath faded plastic playground slides. The Toys-R-Us ad promised years of fun. The Ford dealership ad promised a manly beach pickup truck and forever six-pack abs. The Bradford pear tree is now in late bloom, blossoms scattering the wind, a false white snowfall.
Bradford pears were planted here in abundance some short generations ago. How many springtimes does that make? Fifteen? Thirty? The smiling kids on the billboard
enjoy their Branson experience and want to return.
Another “cents,” thing to consider is that being a “sales tax,” the millions of tourists coming to Branson pay the vast majority of the total tax collected. “We’ve heard that before. Seagull, but, individually, each Branson voter will pay more in this tax than the average tourist.” “True, but that’s the case with any Branson sales tax. But unlike those for marketing, etc. this tax has a direct daily benefit for the voter because each day they drive on the roads and in the transportation system, this tax creates and maintains. With most other sales taxes, for marketing, etc., the benefit is abstract. This one provides a direct benefit as it affects their daily travel and safety.” Let’s look at it from a “sense” perspective. No, on second thought, just reread the ‘cents’ rationale above. If that doesn’t make “sense,” nothing will. Either way, “cents” or “sense,” to an Ole Seagull, a “Yes” vote on extending the one-half cent Transportation Sales Tax makes perfect “cents.”
example in the locations where they serve. One of my favorite childhood memories is when Jerry and Maxine Falley, missionaries to Nigeria, visited our church during visits home. Their slideshows of excited children learning Bible stories helped me see that the love of Jesus was something worth the cost, as families walked miles to get to the meetings. I also enjoyed “Missions Day” at our denomination’s annual camp meeting. Now almost 90, Brother Falley still prays for those converts as Nigerian Christians suffer persecution, and encourages younger missionaries serving in tough areas. Local churches have strengthened me, as well. Yes, it’s possible to have bad church experiences—
we’ve had a few. But there are also plenty of great churches, including the one we attend in Branson, with solid Bible teaching and Christian fellowship. I know that if I need prayer, our life group members are just a quick text message away and will pray. Other good friends from over the years have joined me in prayer many times, including the past two years praying for our grandson, Gil, during his preemie journey. These scriptures and memories have also been a reminder to follow up with people I’ve talked with about the Gospel or prayed with during their own hard time. As I reflect on who has strengthened me, I want to be willing and make time in my schedule to strengthen others.
have children of their own now but the tourists hurtling south at 70 miles an hour know no difference. The Bradford pears again bloom, clouds of white beauty belying reality. These pears are trashy trees, trashy trees replacing better, more natural things. Their pollen beneath the microscope is pointy, barbarous, alien looking and dangerous. The green pollen ash washes over windshields and porches alike. The trees are invasive, spreading into the wild, replacing redbud and sarvisberry. The trees grow brittle, shattering apart in wind or ice. Showy things that do no good, pretending to be other things entirely, and are undependable.
Revival. The Ozarks have always been the crossroads; strange, quiet crossroads since ancient times. Crossroads of peoples and things, crossroads of ideology. Canary in the coal mine, that is who we
are, progress in reverse. The latest trends may come from the coasts, but the decisions made by others elsewhere hit here harder. Our soil is thin, rocky and for us there is less fat and muscle before the bone. Rich, poor, sacred, profane, the built, the broken, all here beneath a springtime sun. The space between spaces is a magical and alchemical thing, a place and moment where — in the old fairytales — strange things of lasting portent happen. And fairytales teach us it is the small moments and the unimportant people who change the world. Fantasy castles and witches in the woods and winding forest paths have been replaced long ago with endless neighborhoods and truck stops and unending highways, concrete mountain ribbons with forever promises of elsewhere. Just the same, the magic of the fairytale remains, remind-
ing us of the forever even in the crunch of boots on river gravel, sweet gospel strains of a creekside baptism, or roses and a quiet garden, reminders we are all just human beneath a hot and simmering sun. Hope. The kids still play on the faded plastic slides, unaware of their greater world, unaware of headlines or economics or backdoor deals and southern politics, unaware how these things shape their very existence. Ignorance is not a protector, even as the sun shines down on a new generation of green leaves scarcely unfurled. Nonetheless, there is hope in each new generation even in our troubled uncertainty, even as we face the sins of our own past, even as we realize those old hopeful brochures — propaganda all — about our generic and homogenized and hopeful future, were wrong.
his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
This world has changed its idea of Jesus Christ into something He is not. Their “Jesus” winks at sin, condones all sin, and now calls righteous all the sins His blood was shed to wash away. We need to realize that the enemy of our soul is out to destroy us and ul-
timately get us to be sent into the lake of fire. He hates people because He knows the value God puts on them to pay such a high price to redeem them. When Satan gets us to believe that nothing we do is sin, then there is no reason for the cross - no reason for what Christ did on the cross - no reason to repent and seek His forgiveness. This will leave us eternally separated from
Christ. Why the cross then? The reason is that sin is real and when we come to the place of acknowledging we are a sinner and ask Christ to forgive us and wash our sins away, He will do it! He will make us brand new, new creatures - born again! We will be saved and become a child of God - a child of the King! I implore you to not spend time claiming,
(against your own conscience), that sin isn’t sin, but to acknowledge it and cry out to God. Stop fighting and surrender to the Lord. He is here with open arms, ready to make you new!
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again
BY DAVE RAMSEY, CEO, Ramsey Solutions,
and an eight-time No. 1 national best-selling author, and
host of The Ramsey Show
Dear Dave,
I’m 26, so I haven’t had time to accumulate a lot of money yet through
DR. RICHARD BAKER, AIF®, is the founder of and an executive wealth advisor at Fervent Wealth Management. https://www. facebook.com/Dr.RichardBaker
Iwas recently helping a lifelong friend and client with his Government TSP investment allocation. Every time I look into the TSP investment options, I am shocked that they don’t have an option for international bonds. There are times, like possibly now, when these investments might be a good hedge.
The event that has put in-
BY HEATHER TANKERSLEY, REALTOR®,
provides services for residential, commercial, land and lake properties in the
Branson Tri-Lakes area.
If you took your house off the market in late 2024, you’re not the only one. Newsweek reports that data from CoreLogic and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) says nearly 73,000 homes were pulled from the market in December alone – that’s more than any other December going all the way back to 2017 (see graph at right).
Whether it was because offers weren’t coming in, the timing around the holidays felt overwhelming, or they wanted to see if the market would improve in the new year – a lot of other homeowners decided to press pause, too.
But now, with spring fast approaching, it’s time to reassess. The market is already picking up, and waiting any longer to jump back in may only mean you’d face more competition from other sellers down the road.
Why Now Could Be the Right Time
Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, explains that some of those sellers may have pulled their listings late last year with the goal of trying again this spring: “Another reason for a step
my career. I do have a good, full-time job though, and have started saving money. Do I need a will or trust when I’m so young and have so little in terms of assets?
Alisha Dear Alisha, I love the fact that you’re already thinking about things like this. You’re a wise young lady. Considering that you’re young and just starting out, you don’t need anything complicated in place.
Trusts tend to be geared toward people with complex estates, so it doesn’t sound like that’s something you need to worry about. But you do need a simple, inexpensive will. You didn’t give many details, so let’s say you have a car, along with the money in the bank you mentioned, plus a few belongings. With a basic will, it’ll be no problem to work through your estate and follow your directives if something un-
fortunate should happen. Here’s something else to think about, too. Another important document you’ll want in your will package is a healthcare power of attorney directive. This includes things like who’s going to make medical decisions for you if you’re unable to make them yourself. As a part of this, you’d also want to fill out the paperwork on whether to disconnect life support systems in the event you’re in a coma.
All this stuff’s a real wake-up call, right? I know these kinds of things aren’t fun to think about— especially at your age. But thinking about them, and doing something about them, is the right thing to do. It’s the smart thing to do. Plus, it will take a huge burden off your loved ones. And all this becomes even more important if you have children, because the state will step in and decide what happens to them if you don’t.
Having these things laid out ahead of time, and sharing them with your family and close friends, would be a very thoughtful and mature thing to do, Alisha. Think about it. They’re already going to be grieving and distraught if something happens to you. You don’t want to make things harder by leaving a lot of important and difficult decisions for them to make in the middle of it all. — Dave
ternational bonds back into focus is Germany’s recent decision to change its government’s economic policy dramatically. In early March 2025, Friedrich Merz, Germany’s incoming Chancellor, announced a historic shift in fiscal policy, vowing to do “whatever it takes” to strengthen defense and revitalize its economy. Facing a weakening alliance with the U.S. under President Trump, who, in fact, pushed Europe to take on more of its own security responsibility. Merz proposed loosening Germany’s strict constitutional “debt brake,” which restricted its country from borrowing and creating national debt.
Germany’s plan for hundreds of billions in defense spending and 500 billion in
infrastructure spending requires investors to reassess their investment strategies. This change in Europe’s biggest economy has significant consequences for global markets, especially U.S. fixed-income investors.
There could be opportunities in European fixed income Germany’s upcoming debt issuance and the potential for many other Eurozone countries to follow suit will increase bond supply and put downward pressure on prices in the short term. This could allow U.S. investors to buy European debt at attractive levels.
Inflation risks and monetary policy challenges
It’s not all roses. Germany’s stimulus could reignite
inflation in the Eurozone, especially if the region that has not fully recovered from the pandemic era begins to speed up its recovery. If it did, it would lead the European Central Bank (ECB) to raise its key rate, pushing European yields higher and putting a stranglehold on European companies. Other economic challenges could also come into play, such as trade tensions (i.e., tariffs) and out-of-sync Eurozone fiscal policies that could impact bond performance.
Germany’s economic transformation could realign global fixed-income markets, which could provide investors opportunities. While the recent move higher in Eurozone yields has narrowed the yield advantage of U.S. bonds, the
U.S. still out-carries most of the developed world. The Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index (Agg), the main index for U.S. fixed-income, currently has around 4.7% yields. In comparison, European bonds yield between 1.0% and 1.50% lower according to the Bloomberg Pan-Euro and Euro Aggregate indexes. A global approach could make sense for investors fully invested in U.S. bond markets, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding tariffs and trade wars emanating from the U.S., though valuations/yields still favor U.S. fixed-income markets.
I still prefer U.S. bonds to international bonds, but the recent changes in Europe have caught my attention. I will monitor their inflation
trends and economic data to see if a clearer opportunity exists.
Now for a little soapbox. The TSP only has five investment options. I don’t work for the government, nor do I work with the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), but these people need more investment options. I have some concerns about federal workers, but I also have a great concern about our active-duty military, which is stuck with the TSP program and deserves more than five investment options! They are protecting us all, and the least we can do is offer them more options for their financial benefit and that of their families. Ok, I will step off my soapbox now. Have a blessed week! www.FerventWM.com
Is it time to put your house back on the market?
back could be that sellers wanted to wait and see how spring home buying season goes, and if mortgage rates fall, which would bring more home buyers and competition back in the market.”
That’s because spring is when buyer demand is typically at its highest point for the year. More people start their home search once the weather warms up. They’re eager to close on a home so they can move in during the summer. So, it’s a great window for sellers. It means more buyers.
And while mortgage rates haven’t fallen dramatically, they have come down some in recent weeks. Early signs already show buyers are becoming more active as a result. Since January, demand has picked up – and that should continue as spring draws even closer.
What To Do Differently This Time
Start by checking the status of your listing agreement. Because even if you
pulled your listing, you may still be under contract. And until your listing expires, your agent or brokerage is your best resource on what else you could try to get it sold. Realtor.com offers this advice: “If you aren’t sure of the status of your listing, whether active, expired, or withdrawn, take a look at your listing agreement and talk to your real estate agent.”
If your contract is still active, now’s the perfect time to reconnect with your agent to explore strategies to get your home sold this time around.
If your contract has expired and you’re considering other options, reach out to a trusted real estate professional who can help you figure out where to go from here.
Either way, take some time to reflect on your last experience. What held you back from getting it sold before? And what can you do to improve your chances this time around?
Be sure to include your agent in this thought process.
They’ll give you an objective point of view and some advice based on what may have gone wrong last time, like:
• Your Pricing Strategy: Did buyers overlook your house because it was priced too high? Your real estate agent can help you analyze the latest sales in your area to make sure you’re hitting the right number. Believe it or not, you could actually be leaving money on the table by not pricing competitively. When it’s priced appropriately for the market, your opportunities for multiple offers and buyer competi-
tion increase. Your Marketing Approach: Was your home staged to look its best? Did you use a skilled photographer for your listing photos? Small tweaks can make a big dif-
ference in how buyers see your house. Something as simple as taking new photos now that it’s spring can help your house show better than it did in the SEE
Around 1993 my Granny Evelyn introduced me to a cassette featuring Gene Autry’s early 1930s Columbia recordings. His unique vocal delivery was almost identical to Jimmie Rodgers, the Singing Brakeman. Autry would become more involved in Western music going forward and would be referred to as Hollywood’s original Singing Cowboy.
The Autry cassette featured early hits and this is how I heard the cattle country classic, “Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle.” I had no idea it had New York roots, but would soon discover its background and its three composers. Today I’d like to introduce you to Walter Samuels, Leonard Whitcup and Teddy Powell. They wrote several song successes together over the years.
Walter Gerald Samuels was born on February 2, 1908, in New York City.
Studying piano for fifteen years, he became a composer and performer in the mid1940s. While serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he composed twenty-five battalion songs while in the South Pacific. After the war, he would compose the musical scores for quite a number of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers films. He died June 3, 1994.
Leonard Whitcup was also a New York City native, born on October 12, 1903. Remembered as a publisher and composer, Whitcup was also involved for a number years as a show producer, later writing radio scores and Broadway revues. He composed “Shout Wherever You May Be, I Am An American,” which was cited in the Congressional Record on May 5, 1941. It’s a powerful number. Whitcup died on April 6, 1979.
Teddy Raymond Powell was born in Oakland, California, on March 1, 1906. Becoming educated in music and choosing the violin at age eight, he began as a teenage violinist and guitarist for the Abe Lyman Orchestra and would remain with them for seventeen years. In 1939 he became a bandleader and his orchestra made its New York debut that year. Powell
would go on to be involved in film and theater work in New York for the rest of his career. Powell died on November 17, 1993, in New York City.
In the summer of 1935 Walter Samuels was living at the Hotel Olcott on 72nd Street in New York City. While seated in the rooftop penthouse garden with his wife to be, Ruth Altschul, the idea for a cowboy song came to him and he wrote part of it there on the rooftop. Samuels took the unfinished song to his close friends Teddy Powell and Leonard Whitcup, and they added what the song needed to bring it to completion.
Feeling they had a hit in their hands, the trio took their song the next day to a number of Tin Pan Alley publishers. Everyone they showed the song to turned it down. By late afternoon they had nearly given up. While taking the subway, they remembered someone else they knew and decided to try one last time.
Showing up at the publishing office of Bob Miller of Schuster-Miller Inc., it just so happened Miller was still at his office and agreed to hear the new song. Samuels played “Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle” on the piano and Miller accepted it right then and there. With-
JULIE L. KING, DVM is Medical
Director at Branson Veterinary Hospital
Springtime in the Ozarks means many people will
in three weeks, ten different recordings of the song had been completed!
Becoming one of the most popular of the 1930s era cowboy songs, “Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle” made its first Hit Parade appearance on November 16, 1935, and it stayed at the top for eleven weeks straight.
While in high school, my spare time was spent gathering all of the Sons of the Pioneers RCA recordings, from the singles, to all the LP records. The Pioneers recorded “Take Me Back
To My Boots and Saddle” at RCA’s Hollywood studio on Sunset Boulevard on November 17, 1960, with Dale Warren doing the solo, Lloyd Perryman doing the tenor harmony, and Tommy Doss doing the baritone harmony.
Karl Farr assisted with lead guitarist parts. It was released as track two on side two of the group’s Lure of the West album. I loved their trio yodel and the tight harmony of their arrangement. I’ve performed the song occasionally in concerts for thirty years.
Gene Autry’s recording of
be suffering with allergies, myself included. Oddly enough, it is also a peak allergy season for dogs. Seasonal allergies in dogs, also called atopic dermatitis, occurs when a dog’s immune system overreacts to environmental allergens such as pollen, mold, or even dust. This condition manifests itself a bit differently than typical signs of allergies in people. In people, allergy sufferers battle runny and itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing and/ or coughing. In dogs, though itchy and runny eyes and
the song led Republic Pictures to capitalize on it further by releasing the Autry film “Boots and Saddles” in 1937. Autry would feature it for much of his career. Other versions that were popular were recorded by Jimmy Wakely, Bing Crosby, Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, and in recent years versions have been popular by R.W. Hampton and Riders in the Sky. Check out these versions on YouTube, and you’ll discover how this great song has remained a classic of the West.
sneezing may occur, the most common signs are itch and inflammation to the ears, feet and skin. This causes dogs to rub, scratch and/or lick themselves, leading to secondary ear and skin infections.
Dogs have a normal flora of bacteria and yeast on their skin as do people. When dogs itch badly enough, they cannot quit scratching or licking themselves. This makes the normal flora on the skin angry, causing an overgrowth of the organisms-bacteria and/or yeast, causing infection. Once dogs
have the infection, they itch more, and a cycle of itch and inflammation continues. This can make dogs miserable really fast and medication is needed to treat itch and inflammation along with medication for infection.
Dog owners should watch for the following signs: redness of the ears, feet and skin; licking and scratching; debris in the ears or odor from the ears; skin lesions such as crusts or bumps; hair loss and/or thickening of the skin.
Treatment for this condition depends on the severity of signs but can include medications such as steroids or dog specific allergy pills to stop itch and inflammation, allergy injections to block itch, shampoos, topical sprays and fish oils. Antibiotics or antifungal medications may also be warranted to treat skin infections. Just like people, many dogs benefit from taking daily allergy medication or getting monthly allergy injections to manage/control the signs of allergies. We all know how miserable allergies make us feel and it is no different for our dogs. My goal is to help clients keep the canine family members feeling their best and to enjoy the beautiful springtime in the Ozarks.
winter listing.
• Offering Concessions: Were you willing to offer incentives to buyers? As the supply of homes for sale grows, more sellers are entertaining the idea of concessions or incentives to get the deal done. If you weren’t open to those conversations, that may have been a factor, too.
• Showings and Flexibility: Did you have limits on when buyers could see the home? If your house is accessible and available, you’ll likely get more offers.
Bottom Line If your house didn’t sell last year, spring may be your second chance. What do you want to do differently this time around?
Your Move! Unlock the potential in your next home sell!
BY MARSHALL HOWDEN
Afamily that sings together, clings together. At least that was true for my family. I was born in November of 1991 to Connie Lynn Tillis, the second born daughter of the late great Country Music Hall of Famer, Mel Tillis. And while I was born in Nashville, Tennessee, it was a matter of a few months before my family would move to Branson TOGETHER. And our exodus from Nashville was no accident. It was a planned move that my grandpa had been orchestrating for years. In the mid 1980s granddaddy first started performing in Branson at Bob-O-Links Country Hoedown. The “Bob” in Bob-O-
Links of course being Bob Mabe whose family started the Baldknobbers, Branson’s founding show. You see, this entire town was built on the family show. Whether it was the Presleys, the Plummers, the Lowes, the Braschlers, or the Wilkinsons, families performing TOGETHER on a Branson stage was a staple of these Ozark hills long before the stars set up shop on the famous Highway 76 Strip. And when those stars did come, they brought their families with them.
Shoji Tabuchi wasn’t just the King of Branson, he brought out his little princess Christina at every performance. Jim Stafford and
Boxcar Willie didn’t hog the spotlight all by themselves, they both featured their children for years in their performances. And as mentioned, Mel Tillis didn’t stutter on a stage alone, he had his kids (and grandkids) right beside him as the crowds of thousands laughed all their cares away.
See, the family show became a formula that was almost necessary to success in Branson. When Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson stopped in for a few seasons, they were seen as people performing temporary residencies as opposed to becoming locals like Mel, Shoji, Mickey and Roy did. And when those stars rode off into the sun-
set, it was the family shows that remained in Branson. The Hughes Brothers set up shop in Roy Clark’s Celebrity Theatre and the Duttons made Boxcar Willie’s old venue all their own. That trend continued as the Bretts, the Petersens and the Haygoods all became the next generation after that ‘90s boom in Branson. And the new stars like Clay Cooper and Doug Gabriel trained up their children from the time they could walk, to be integral parts of their productions.
So what makes these family shows so special? Well, I can tell you that one trip to a Hughes Family Christmas performance will answer that
question while bringing tears to your eyes. And that old formula that somebody like Clay Cooper knows all too well, is incomplete unless you have the next generation of Coopers bringing up the rear. But that’s what has made our audiences resonate with Branson stars for as long as they have. Branson performers are real, down to earth, God-fearing people who want to raise their children the right way – all while putting fiddles and guitars in their hands from infancy.
Has Branson changed from what it was in the ‘90s? I think that’s incontrovertibly true. However, something deep down within us hasn’t changed. And that’s the
Faith, Family and Flag ideals that are presented on our front porch every evening –the Branson stage. And the Branson stage is just as much a hearth where a family can grow together than it is a simple music venue. I got to spend nearly every day of my childhood on stage with my granddaddy, and when you talk about priceless…all the money in the world couldn’t make up for that experience. And I’ll end with a song my mom wrote when I was just a kid about my experience learning from my legendary grandfather. “Standing on the stage watching you, watching me…that’s who I am, and who I wanna be.”
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
One of Branson’s most popular shows is offering Area Appreciation during April. Presleys’ Country Jubilee, Branson’s original show on the strip, is holding Area
Appreciation through April
26. Residents of Taney and Stone counties are invited to attend Presleys’ Country Ju-
bilee free of charge during their Spring Area Appreciation. It’s their way of saying “thank you” to the community.
Tickets must be picked up at the Presleys’ box office on the day of the show you are attending. Box office opens at 9 a.m. and showtime is 8 p.m. For more information, call 417-334-4874.
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
The 18th annual Branson Elvis Festival is set for May 2-4 at Branson’s Pepsi Legends Theater.
This exciting event features a variety of activities – the highlight of which is the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. The semifinal round of the contest will be held on Saturday, May 3, at
Continued from page 1B
House in Milano, Italy, to an asylum in St. Joseph, Missouri in only a few years.
Nellie Bly was one of those important early 20th century women who challenged norms. She did many things but as a reporter for the New York World, got herself committed to a woman’s insane asylum to report on the deplorable conditions. “If you weren’t crazy going in, you would become so in a short
3 p.m. and the finals are set for Sunday, May 4, beginning at 2 p.m. The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest is one of only a handful of tribute competitions that are sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises, and the winner of the contest is given the opportunity to compete in the 2025 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in August, in
amount of time.” Nellie’s book, “Ten Days in a MadHouse;” described torture, filth, tranquilization, rape and malnutrition as the daily struggle in this inhuman place, much of it brought on because someone would not conform or a husband simply wanted out of a marriage.
If the patient continued to cause problems inside the institution soon there would be a new ultimate solution offered or ordered: a lobotomy. On the men’s side of the house, think
Memphis, Tennessee.
The Branson Elvis Festival gets underway on Friday, May 2, with a show presented by Branson’s Dean Z at the Clay Cooper Theater. An Elvis Meet and Greet is set for Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Pepsi Legends Theater. Attendees will enjoy the popular Legends in Concert Show beginning
of the movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
Because of Nellie Bly and other high profile patients namely Rosemary Kennedy, JFK’s sister, laws began to change. In 1963 Kennedy got the Community Mental Health Act passed that led to the structured release of nearly half of the 600,000 citizens institutionalized in America.
My father, Jake Ford, was a good man. Prior to 1963, he got Aunt Harriette out. I’m sure it took a little
at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, is the Elvis Vendor Fair, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those in attendance can mingle with Elvis fans, shop for Elvis memorabilia and items, and possibly spot an Elvis Tribute Artist, too. The semifinal round of the competition begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, to determine which artists proceed to Sunday’s finals. At 8 p.m.
money and a lot of influence but all of a sudden, as a kid, we had someone new showing up for family gatherings at holidays! She wasn’t right but after years “in,” who would be? Old, confused and very vulnerable but now she was part of the family. Her son came back once and promised to now always be in her life; he never returned. Harriette lived out the rest of her days at the stately Robidoux Hotel in downtown St Joe, then
on Saturday, Shawn Klush takes the stage with a special show. Klush was the first Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Winner, from 2007.
Elvis Tribute Artist Ryal Pelton presents “If the Lord Wasn’t Walking by My Side” on Sunday, May 4, beginning at 11 a.m. Pelton will share some of the gospel music that inspired Elvis in this show, including stories of Elvis’ life. The Branson Elvis Festival wraps up on Sunday afternoon with the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist finals, beginning at 2 pm. For more information on this exciting weekend, call the theater at 417-339-3003 or visit the website, www.bransonelvisfestival.com
a nursing home.
Gaslighting has evolved, but it’s still about control. Divorce is painful but the social stigma is far less. We all know of couples where a degree of gaslighting is playing out. It continues to be about mental manipulation and dominance. The abuser and the victim are many times complicit but the effect their interactions have on their children keep therapists busy.
There’s more on mental health and the Glore Psychi-
atric Museum if you can take a tour and listen to our podcast at bobfordshistory.com. You will be shaking your head in disbelief hearing the stories she tells on what society and doctors thought was the best way to treat “sick” people. Come and learn but be prepared, as images you’ve never seen before just might keep you up at night. This is a salute to the life of Harriette George Arnold and a tip of the hat to my father, Jake Ford.
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
The Branson Chorale presents “An Elegant Evening” on April 25.
Join the Branson Chorale for this unforgettable night of enchanted music. The Chorale will be joined
by the newly formed Small Vocal Ensemble and Community Orchestra. The Branson Chorale is a
nonprofit and non-auditioned choir that brings free music to the Branson Community. The upcoming concert
is set for Friday, April 25, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Branson United Methodist Church, 1208 West 76 Country Boulevard in Branson. The concert is free admission and the public is encouraged to attend.
Bransonmo.gov
The Branson Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce the Semi-Annual Spring Community Garage Sale on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The event will take place at the Branson RecPlex parking lot from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
with vendor set-up beginning at 6 a.m. Up to 80 vendor booths will be available, offering a fantastic opportunity to find unique treasures, collectibles, home goods and other hidden gems. Whether you’re looking for great bargains or one-ofa-kind items, the Branson
Garage Sale is sure to have something for everyone.
Vendors wishing to participate can reserve a booth space for a $25 fee, each measuring approximately 18 ft. x 18 ft. Vendors are responsible for bringing their own tents, tables, chairs and other set-up materials.
Registration for vendors is available both online and in person. To register online, visit the Branson Parks and Recreation online catalog at https://secure.rec1.com/ MO/branson-mo/catalog. In-person registration is available at the Branson RecPlex, located at 1501
Branson Hills Pkwy, Branson. The event is free to the public, with free parking available on-site for all shoppers.
For more information, please contact the Branson RecPlex at 417-335-2368 or visit the event webpage at Community Garage Sale
Details: https://bransonmo. gov/936/Community-Garage-Sales Join us for a fun-filled day of shopping and find amazing deals while supporting the local community through the Branson Parks and Recreation Department’s programs!
BY LYNNETTE
will host a solo exhibit of the work of artist Kerry Jackson, entitled “Land and Sea.” The show will run April 4-26 at the SMAC Art Center on historic Downing Street.
“I’m hoping my art will evoke emotion in my viewers,” Jackson said. “I want visitors to the gallery to feel something deeply
when they see my work.” The exhibit consists of beautiful oil paintings featuring coastal birds and colorful, serene sunrises. Both the exhibit and the reception are free and open to the public. The opening reception will be held Friday, April 4, from 6-9 p.m. during which Jackson will give a short talk as well as
answer questions. During the reception visitors are also invited to tour the private studios and enjoy complimentary refreshments. The Vintage Paris Coffee kiosk will also be on site.
Each month during their exhibits, SMAC highlights one of the many local nonprofit organizations that
serve the area. This month SMAC is drawing attention to the fine work of Elevate Branson, which addresses the root causes of generational poverty to create lasting change. They provide resources, relationships, and a network of support that provides hope, dignity and purposeful work.
Southern Missouri Arts Connection (SMAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit local center of creativity, art education, innovation and community partnership, strives to improve the quality of life in southern Missouri by connecting individuals with the arts, for the benefit of all.
Submitted to Branson Globe
The wait is almost over!
Ozarks Beerfest, the region’s largest and most exciting beer festival, is happening this Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Springfield Expo Center. From 1-5 p.m., enjoy unlimited beer samples, music, food and games – all while
Stephanie Callahan, Owner/Lightspeed Electrical
supporting a great cause!
With a wide variety of 150-plus craft brews, seltzers, ciders and FMBs, Ozarks Beerfest is a must-attend event for anyone who enjoys great drinks and a lively atmosphere. Guests can also look forward to a DJ, tasty snacks and interac-
tive games like Beer Walk, Stein Holding contests, Not Your Grandma’s Bingo, video and arcade games games and more!
Upgrade to VIP for early access to exclusive brews and the new and improved VIP area, exclusive access to breakout sessions led by local
brewmasters, food samples from Papa John’s, Classic’s Yard and Mexican Villa, live music by Avery Waltz, entry to win an exclusive VIP raffle prize and more! Plus, don’t miss our 15 Brewery Coupon Booklet in celebration of our 15th Ozarks Beerfest—available in limited quantity exclu-
sively at Ozarks Beerfest!
Every ticket sold helps defend the potential of kids in our community through mentorship, benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks. This event provides funding to support one-toone mentoring relationships that empower local youth to
If you have ever been tempted to paint or texture over electrical outlets or switches, read on. Painting plate covers, outlets or switches to match the wall color is never a good idea. Aesthetically, it may look good… for a few months. Eventually the paint will chip and peel, leaving it looking worse than it did to begin with. (Note the “textured” outlet and dimmer knob in the photos).
Paint will clog the slots, making it impossible to fit a plug into the receptacle. On the more dangerous side, paint will chip off and get pushed/lodged inside the outlet which hinders direct contact between the plug prongs
and the conductive material in the outlet. This can result in electrical arcing, melting, or fire. Eventually, you will need access to that outlet or switch for repairs and removing a painted or textured plate will tear off a strip of paint/ drywall in the process, requiring extra touchup.
Before choosing to paint electrical components, remember that advice found on Pinterest and other home decorating sites is usually published by an artist or homemaker; no electrician would ever recommend that you paint an electrical component. Fixtures, devices and plate covers come in a variety of
reach their full potential. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.ozarksbeerfest.com.
Don’t miss out on the most anticipated beer festival in the Ozarks! Tickets are selling fast—get yours today and raise a glass for a great cause!
colors and styles. If you need help finding something to match your décor, the team at Lightspeed can help you locate what you are looking for. Give us a call at 417-239-5050.
Time: 70 minutes
Servings: 12
INGREDIENTS
12 oz Canadian Bacon
6 English Muffins, split & cut into 1” pieces
• 8 Large Eggs 2 C Milk, 2%
BY CHEF JEFF WOODWARD, The Rogue Chef
1 tsp Onion Powder
• ¼ tsp Paprika Minced Chives, optional Hollandaise Sauce
• 4 Large Egg Yolks
½ C Heavy Whipping Cream
2 T Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
• ½ C Butter, melted
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grease a 13x9 inch baking dish. Spread half the Canadian bacon on the bottom of the dish.
2. Layer the English muffin pieces evenly over the bacon.
4. Whisk together the eggs, milk, and onion powder until well combined in a large bowl.
5. Pour the egg mixture over the layers in the baking dish, making sure everything is evenly covered.
6. Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate overnight.
7. Preheat the oven to 375°.
8. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit while the oven heats up.
3. Place the remaining Canadian bacon on top of the muffin pieces.
COMPILED BY JANET
STEINKAMP, Editor
For a change of pace from eating meat or for delicious meat substitutes, try a meatless recipe or two.
Pesto Flatbread
Kneading basil, oregano and Parmesan cheese into packaged bread dough creates a full-flavored crust. A purchased pesto sauce makes this convenient and easy to prepare.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 loaf (1 pound) frozen bread dough, thawed
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup prepared pesto
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms – or another topping if mushrooms are not desired
• 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425°. Place dough on a lightly floured surface; let rest for 10 minutes. Knead in 1/4 cup cheese, basil and the oregano. Roll into a 12-in. circle; place on a greased 14-in. pizza pan. Prick with a fork. Bake 10 minutes.
2. Spread pesto over crust. Sprinkle with mushrooms, mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake pizza until golden
brown, 8-10 minutes longer.
Ravioli Casserole
The whole family will love this delicious dish that tastes like lasagna without all the fuss. Timesaving ingredients like prepared spaghetti sauce and frozen ravioli make it easy to assemble. Children can help assemble this recipe.
INGREDIENTS
1 package (20 ounces) refrigerated cheese ravioli
• 3-1/2 cups pasta sauce
2 cups small-curd 4% cottage cheese
1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. Prepare ravioli according to package directions; drain.
3. Spread 1 cup pasta sauce in an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with half the ravioli, 1-1/4 cups sauce, 1 cup cottage cheese and 2 cups mozzarella cheese.
4. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 30-40 minutes.
6. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving. If desired, sprinkle with parsley.
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
This is the ultimate creamy,
9. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with paprika for added flavor and color.
10. Bake the casserole covered for 35 minutes.
11. Uncover the casserole and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
12. Combine the egg yolks, heavy whipping cream, lemon juice, and mustard in a blender. Cover and blend for about 5 seconds.
hooked.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1/2 cup butter, cubed 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 to 2 cups 2% milk
1 cup sour cream
• 8 ounces cubed Velveeta
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cook macaroni according to package directions.
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Minced fresh parsley, optional INSTRUCTIONS
cheesy mac and cheese. It’s so saucy, thick and rich that once you taste it, you’ll be
2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add 1-1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in sour cream, Velveeta, Parmesan cheese, salt, mustard and pepper until smooth and cheese is melted. Add more milk to reach desired consistency.
3. Drain macaroni; toss with cheddar cheese. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Stir in cream sauce.
4. Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
Spinach Lasagna No-cook lasagna noodles make layering this cheesy vegetarian lasagna easy. You won’t even miss the meat!
INGREDIENTS
1 large egg, lightly beaten
14. Spoon the casserole onto plates and drizzle the fresh hollandaise sauce on top. For added flavor, sprinkle with chives.
GO ROGUE by swapping out the Canadian bacon for smoked salmon or sliced ham. You can also serve with The Rogue Chef’s Perfect Guacamole. Want Chef Jeff to make this delicious meal for you? Contact him at www. TheRogueChef.com .
13. Turn the blender on; pour in the hot melted butter in a slow, steady stream until the sauce is thick and smooth, about 15-30 seconds.
• 2 cups reduced-fat ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce
• 9 no-cook lasagna noodles
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Mix together the egg, ricotta, 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, feta, Parmesan, basil, garlic and pepper.
2. Spread 1/2 cup pasta sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with 3 lasagna noodles, 3/4 cup ricotta mixture, 1 cup spinach and 2/3 cup sauce. Repeat layers twice. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
3. Bake, covered, 35 minutes. Uncover; bake until lasagna is heated through and cheese is melted, 1015 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Tasteofhome.com
LARRY DABLEMONT is an outdoor publisher, columnist, author, speaker, naturalist and outdoorsman.
F
ishing is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get, and often you’d just as soon it was different than what you ended up with. That’s what happened to me this past week. On a day that I figgered I would catch the farr out of ‘em—I didn’t. But I started out with great anticipation. Casting nothing more than a twirly-tailed, yellow plastic jig with a lead head, I laid into a hard-fighting fish that arced my rod like he was a slab-sided, black-bellied frog-eater. He stayed deep and pulled like a roped goat! I guess that’s what told me I didn’t have a bass. A bass would come up and woller around on the surface a little, and maybe even jump clean out of the water.
This fish that had grabbed my little eighth-ounce jig just stayed down and pulled with determination which led me to hope he just might be a walleye. That was it, I told myself as I let him pull line against the drag of my spinning reel. I had a big walleye, likely six or
seven pounds. In the depths beneath my boat I saw it finally, a white and pink-sided lunker, far different in color than what a gold-sided walleye would be. I fought that fish for a good five or six minutes. He was almost two feet long and too big to lift over the side of the boat with a six-pound line, so I netted him and let it flop around for a moment as I cast aspersions upon her! She was a doggone eggfilled drum! But for an angler who is only interested in fighting a big fish, a sixor seven-pound drum is not too great a problem.
I can only add to this story that I was mostly trying to catch some white bass and never saw a one for the next two hours. But the story is not over. Two hours later I hooked another big drum, a good four pounds in weight, and had another tussle worth the trip up the river. This time I was more prepared when my walleye turned into a 20-inch drum. But when you have fished for two hours for nothing but two drum you aren’t exactly whistling and grinning about your good luck.
Then something happened that made the whole trip worth it. I was just sitting in my boat taking my drum-tempting yellow jig off to put on a little crank bait when suddenly there was a big splash out in the middle of the river. Bass do that. Drum don’t. So, what I did was, I threw that crank bait
out about where the rings were spreading out in the water and that bass nailed it. It was a grand struggle, him taking off with my crank bait and several feet of line and me enjoying the bend of the rod and the whine of the reel. It was a bass all right, and I got to see him come up and jump out of the water trying to throw the hooks. I got my net beneath him, an 18-inch beauty that was half smallmouth and half spotted (Kentucky) bass. You can see a color picture of the rascal on my website, larrydablemontoutdoors.
I don’t like that hybridation but it is seen often in some waters where the southern spotted bass has been introduced. Most fishermen who catch one don’t realize what it is, but there is a smooth tongue on a true smallmouth and on the hybrid, you will see spots on the belly, a raspy patch on the tongue and the red eye of the smallmouth.
Well anyway that was the last fish. A three-fish day over three or four hours of fishing isn’t something to brag about when you are an outdoor writer, but the afternoon was a boatload of treasure for me because I love being out there on the river by myself, fish or no fish. I shared the time with a pair of eagles and a mink, and I thanked God for time I got to spend there. I always do.
My daughter Lori Jean, who is a doctor at Missouri State University, is very
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer
The City of Branson is celebrating Arbor Day in a special way.
On April 18, Branson area residents are invited to celebrate nature during a special Arbor Day Event at Sunset Park.
City of Branson employees and volunteers will be planting new trees in Sunset Park, and providing a variety of fun activities for families to enjoy, including a nature scavenger hunt, activity sheets, a lesson in Arbor Day history and a question and answer session with an arborist. Free tree saplings will also be given away to those in attendance, and a guided tree tour will provide an opportunity to learn about the various types of trees that can be found in Sunset Park.
The Arbor Day event is presented by the City of Branson, Shepherd of the Hills Garden Club, and Branson Parks and Recreation.
All area residents, businesses and community members are encouraged to attend this Arbor Day event, set for Friday, April 18, at 10 a.m. at Sunset Park, 869 Sunset Lane in Branson.
alarmed about increasing numbers of tick diseases amongst her patients. She asks me to use a tick repellent on my boots and pants when I am outdoors. That is something I have not often done, but the urgency in her voice concerning the Alpha-Gal syndrome spread by the Lone Star ticks makes me inclined to follow her advice. It makes one allergic to red meat and has caused deaths in the Ozarks.
I have produced a 110page summer magazine, which carries a two-page article about tick diseases written by Lori. You need to read that article. I have about 100 of that magazine left to distribute. To get one postpaid, send $7 to Lightnin’ Ridge Magazine, Box 22, Bolivar, Mo 65613. Or you can get one by calling my office, 417-777-5227.
The magazine has lots of great outdoor stories in it
that I think you will enjoy. But that article by my doctor-daughter will give you
We can help you with your rent, groceries and gas. Also offering baptismal certificates which can be used as a second ID. Please call to get the details – 417-337-3772.
For more information on the Arbor Day celebration, visit the Branson Parks and Recreation Department website, or call the Parks and Recreation office at 417-335-2368.
PUBLIC NOTICE: The Taney County Board for the Developmentally Disabled is accepting self-nominations to fill pending vacancy on the Board of Directors. Interested persons should complete the online application found at taneycounty.org under Live: Commission Application for Board Position (SB40). Please contact Troy W. Rasmussen, Executive Director at 417335-4135 or by mail at 1533 E. State Hwy. 76, Ste. 1, Branson, MO 65616, or email trasmussen@taneydds.com for further information.
GRIEF SHARE: Branson United Methodist Church (1208 W. 76 Country Blvd.) will begin GRIEF SHARE CLASSES on Tues. March 4, at 1:30 p.m. in the church library. There will also be a 5 p.m. class for those who work. BOTH CLASSES will be on TUESDAYS. Grief is a journey we all travel, and coming together helps us realize others have the same questions and doubts! EVERYONE is welcome!! This is a 13-week support group and there is NO CHARGE. For questions, please call Peggy at 641-919-1533.
1 Seeking their DD 214
2 Needing a companion dog
3 Wanting peer-to-peer friends
4 Seeking professional counseling
5 Needing food, water or shelter
VETERANS & MILITARY COALITION OF THE OZARKS is an all-volunteer organization of veterans serving veterans. Contact us if you feel that you, as a veteran or veteran family, may not be receiving the benefits you deserve. Go to VMCO1.org and click on CONTACT at the top of the home page. VMCO meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month (no meeting in July or November) at the Golden Corral in Branson with 11:15 a.m. lunch buffet and 12-1 p.m. meeting.
AMERICAN LEGION
POST #220 would love to invite all of our former and current U.S. military friends to join us every Monday at 9 a.m. for coffee and pastries, with the exception of the second Monday of the month and national holidays. Come join us at the M. Graham Clark Airport in Hollister, 491 Blue Sky Ln. Monthly business meeting is the second Monday of the month, at 6 p.m., at Pizza Ranch, 1464 St. Hwy. 248, Branson. We look forward to meeting you! HOOAH!
I WAS OUT WALKING, and I ran into my 80 year old friend named Smokey Bear. He was talking about the clean air. If you smell smoke look for the fire, because it may burn your house. Please don’t throw away your cigarettes outside and remember fireworks start fires. The weather is dry so don’t burn your house down and don’t burn my house either. Please pay attention.
CELEBRATE RECOVERY is a place to heal from your hurts, habits and hangups. We meet every Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at Music City Centre, 1839 West 76 Country Blvd., Branson. For more information, call 808344-4240. See you there!
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION SUPPORT GROUP meets at the Branson-Hollister Senior Center, 201 Compton Dr., Branson, the last Wednesday of every month from 9:30 - 11 a.m. For more information, call Mark Applegate at 417-9552513 or email mark.applegate@senioragemo.org.
IF MY PEOPLE, WHICH ARE CALLED BY MY NAME, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
CLEANING SERVICE serving all Tri-Lakes area. Residential, commercial, construction and resorts. Call 417-527-3340.
FREE ESTIMATES AND TIMELY RESPONSE. Full remodels, decks, pole barns, garages, fencing and small projects. Call 417-699-1635.
GOLDEN DOODLE PUPPIES FOR SALE. 10 wks., smart, healthy, sociable. Medium and large as adults. $ vary. Text 417-2305775. Branson.
FREE GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPIES to forever homes due to relocating: one male, one female, excellent temperament, house trained. Will not re-home to just anyone! Preferably email me first at: stephaniechristensen59@gmail.com, before text 510-975-7968.
900 SQ. FT. AND HAIR SALON, 650 sq. ft., Branson West on 76 Hwy. Heavy traffic storefront near McDonalds. 417-527-5382 and 417-527-5381.
FOR LEASE: Just remodeled, nice 2 BR. 2 car garage, large fenced-in backyard. No smokers. 1 year lease. 185 Morningside Lane, Hollister. $1,550 per month + security deposit, $55 background check. Call 417-337-0398 and leave message. I will call you right back.
3 BR + OFFICE 3 BA, 2 car garage, large fenced-in back yard. 211 Rea St. Hollister. Available now: $2,000/mo, $3,500 security deposit, plus $55 background check. No smokers. Call or text 417-337-0398 and leave a message. I will call you right back.
HIRING: Hospitality Management Solutions Inc. d/b/a Orange Hospitality Group needs to hire 75 Amusement and Recreational Park workers from April 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, in Branson, MO. We offer 35hour work week. Wages $13.98 per hour. Overtime rate $20.97. Weekends and holidays, also late nights when necessary. Must be able to pick up shifts on a same-day notice when needed. Day shift start at 9 am. Night shift finishes between 6-11:59pm. Three months (3) experience required. Duties: Schedule use of recreation facilities. Assist guests entering or exiting rides and provide guests with assistance at various amusement and recreational attractions. Potential applicants should inquire about the job opportunity at Orange Hospitality Group at: 2525 McGill St, Suite 201, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 or Email: send info@ orangehospitality.net or resumes directly to the nearest office of the SWA at 1410 Genessee St #210, Kansas City, MO 64102
HIRING: Hospitality Management Solutions Inc. d/b/a Orange Hospitality Group needs to hire 50 Kitchen Helpers from April 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 in Branson. Kitchen Helpers will assist kitchen staff with daily operations at multiple food outlets. Washing, slicing, chopping, mixing and storing of food products. Maintain supply of dishes, bowls, cooking utensils and condiments. Portion, plate and expedite food service; clean kitchen, including washing dishes and kitchen equipment and floors. Adhere to food outlet standards and procedures as they relate to cleaning the kitchen wares. Must be able to lift 40 lbs. Open 7 days a week. Multiple shifts between 7 AM and 11:59 PM. Hours and shifts may vary. Basic rate of pay: $13.73 per hour and the overtime rate is $20.59 after 40 hours per workweek. Potential applicants should inquire about the job opportunity at Orange Hospitality Group 2525 McGill St, Suite 201, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 or Email: info@orangehospitality.net or send resumes directly to the nearest office of the SWA 1410 Genessee St #210, Kansas City, MO 64102
TO YOUR AD... Please make sure your ad is correct in the first issue in which it appears. The Branson Globe is responsible for one day’s charge of the space occupied by the error. If your ad is not correct, call us immediately to have it corrected.
1818 Congress decides on the U.S. flag: 13 red and white stripes and 20 stars
• 1917 Senate agrees (82-6) to participate in WWI
1945 The Holocaust: U.S forces liberate the Ohrdruf concentration camp in Germany, the first such camp to be liberated by the U.S. Army
• 1968 U.S. civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr is assassinated by James Earl Ray at the
Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee 1969 CBS-TV abruptly cancels “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” three weeks after renewing it, citing the program’s failure to provide advance screening to review before airing it 1973 World Trade Center, then the world’s tallest building, opens in New York (110 stories). Later destroyed in 9/11 terrorist attacks 1985 Tulane University
calories 41. Mound 44. In the sky 45. hakespeare, e.g. 47. Chef’s smock 48. Bar drinks 49. School orgs. 50. Alleviate 51. Skating jump 52. Common skin problem 54. Otherwise 55. Fodder 57. Altar response (2 wds.)
It follows Oct. 59. Retirement acct.
cancels its basketball season amidst scandal 1994 LA Dodger Darryl Strawberry begins substance abuse treatment 2008 Raid on Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints owned YFZ Ranch in Texas: 401 children and 133 women taken into state custody
2019 Kathie Lee Gifford leaves NBC’s “Today” show after 11 years
See more fun puzzles at: https://www.puzzles.ca/sudoku/
Last week’s Sudoku solution
Toys from Beck Museums of Branson
