For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. – Philippians 1:21
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June 27, 2025 • Volume 6, Issue #25
Christmas in June: SDC begins installing millions of lights
INSIDE: • Around Town.... 12A • Churches.......... 11A • Classifieds......... 10B • Food.................. 8B • Fun & Games.... 12B • Pets for Adoption �� 3A • Obituaries........ 10A • Weather........... 10A
PLUS:
Community rallies around young athlete – SEE PAGE 3A
Branson Globe Staff Writer Cynthia Thomas catches up with Santa as Silver Dollar City readies for An Old Time Christmas 2025. See more photos at BransonGlobe.com, and check out this link: www.ky3. com/video/2025/06/23/silver-dollar-city-begins-stringing-christmas-lights/
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer Summer Celebration is in full swing at Silver Dollar City, but behind the scenes, it’s Christmas in June at the popular theme park! On Monday morning, June 23, Santa and the Giant Candy Cane made a special visit to the City to help start the process of lighting the City for An Old Time Christmas 2025, by helping hang the first Christmas lights of the season! Public Relations Manager Brandei Clifton shared that it takes the Christmas lighting team an entire four months to hang the millions of lights that help make Silver Dollar City one of the country’s most popular Christmas destinations, with the kick-off of An Old Time Christmas scheduled for November 1. This year’s start on lighting was a couple of weeks earlier than usual, due to a few extra operating days added to the City’s calendar and
just in case this year’s trend toward heavier-than-usual rainfall continues, said Jessica Loftis, who along with foreman Justin Eakin leads a crew of 12 in the massive lighting project. New for 2025, The Plaza will be aglow with lights and its own tree, as well. The team appreciated Santa and the Candy Cane dropping by to help hang some lights last Monday! Who knew—Santa works all year, not just on Christmas Eve! It was also evident there is a huge amount of behind-the-scenes support work involved for Loftis and her crew—keeping records of lights purchased and where they are used, with an intentional strategy for rotation and replacement. There are daily audits, attention to safety, and upkeep during the Christmas season—and the storage! Anyone who loves Christmas but dreads wrestling
SEE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, PAGE 3A
Branson Aldermen explode fireworks expansion plan Do we make an idol of our work? – SEE PAGE 1B.
BY GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist The Branson Board of Aldermen unanimously decided at a special meeting not to extend the allowable number of days for fireworks discharge within Branson City limits during the 4th of July celebration. The Staff Report for this change said, “The fire department desires to amend the International Fire Code to expand the dates for the
community to discharge 1.4G fireworks (consumer fireworks). The ordinance within the amended fire code currently allows consumer fireworks to be discharged on July 3 and 4 between the hours of 7 a.m. and midnight. This proposed amendment would expand the dates to July 2 through 6 (five days). “This date expansion is intended to support the allowable sales of consumer
fireworks in the State of Missouri from June 20 through July 10. The fire department supports this change as staff focuses on educating the public to ‘Celebrate Safely’” with fireworks safety messaging throughout the allowable sales time period. “This amendment change for the dates supports timing as the holiday falls on or adjacent to a weekend and the desire to support events including the 250th birthday of
the United States in 2026.” Immediately after the Staff Report and before the public’s comment on the change, Ward 1 Alderman Marshall Howden said that the public response from his constituents was overwhelmingly against the change. One by one, all the remaining aldermen gave the same type of response. The current regulations permit the discharge of consumer fireworks from 7 a.m.
on July 3 to 12 a.m. on July 4, two days. The proposed change would have allowed fireworks discharges from 7 a.m. on July 2 through 12 a.m. on July 6, five days. Among other things, Ward II Alderman Glenn Schulz took issue with why the time limit for fireworks differs from that permitted in the city’s noise ordinance. 58-262(c) of Branson Municipal Code states, “Except SEE FIREWORKS, PAGE 4A
Heroes Way street dedication to be held July 1 SUBMITTED BY TANEY COUNTY 100 CLUB Sheriff Galba E ‘Galby’ Branson and Deputy Sheriff Edward Funk were shot and killed by three brothers who supported a different political party as the sheriff, while at a 4th of July celebration picnic in Kirbyville in 1889. Now these true public heroes will be remembered
in a public way. Join us on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 9 a.m. as we honor their sacrifice. Harp Lane will be designated a Heroes Way with a special dedication ceremony held at the Kirbyville Elementary School. Members of the Branson family will be present for the event. The brothers, Bill, James and Emanuel Miles had been drinking and were
brandishing their pistols around the crowd. In order to avoid a tragedy, Sheriff Branson and Deputy Funk approached the men, asking them to put away their weapons. Sheriff Branson announced he would have to arrest the brothers. One of the brothers pointed his gun at Deputy Funk, who drew his pistol in return. Another SEE HEROES WAY, PAGE 4A
The sign for Heroes Way (Photo courtesy Taney County 100 Club)
The Beck Museums of Branson Welcome You to...