Bringing You Branson, May 27

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Kathryn Buckstaff

Bringing You BransonMeet The Author

Lee Merideth, author of “1912 Facts About Titanic,” will be selling his book and signing autographs in the gift shop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through June 19 at the Titanic Museum Attraction. It’s a collection of little-known facts and stories about the ship, the passengers and the sinking. TitanicBranson.com. 417-334-9500 or 800-381-7670.

JEERK Rocks

On Saturday, see a rare 8 p.m. show by these five nice young Swedish guys at the Hughes Brothers Theater. High-energy. Unique. All ages love them. They sing, dance and make music on items such as plastic barrels and lunchboxes. Each has international musical theater background. JEERK.com. 800-422-0076.

Great View, Great Food

Friday or Saturday, take Mo. 76 west to Mo. 265 and south to the Bradford Inn for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eatery Bakery owner Lucy Westfall makes great pastries. And Chicken Divine in Puffed Pastry. Even Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches! Stay in one of their 33 themed rooms. Bakery open Sunday, but not for lunch. BradfordInn.us. 417-338-5555.

New Shoes In Town

Corky’s Footwear just opened next to Mel’s Hard Luck Diner in the Grand Village on Mo. 76. Their line of casual footwear includes paisley or houndstooth rain boots and a variety of jeweled flip-flops. 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. CorkysFootwear.com. 417-337-5544.

Original Show On The Strip

Seeing Presleys’ Country Jubilee is an annual tradition. Members of the Presley family have been entertaining audiences for decades. Meet four talented generations at their 8 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday. Presleys.com. 800-335-4874.

The Rankin Brothers

See brothers Mark and Matt Rankin at the Mickey Gilley Theatre this year at 8 p.m. Saturdays. They’ve added a band and vocalists. They do favorites from Eric Clapton to Faith Hill, and they’ve added hits from the `80’s. RankinBrothers.com. 417-334-3210.

Dick’s 5 & 10 Logo Merchandise

For their 50th anniversary this year, Dick’s has a new line of “Dick’s 5 & 10” logo merchandise including a jigsaw puzzle of the store, Christmas ornaments, coffee mugs and more. Great stocking-stuffers. Main Street downtown. DicksOldTime5and10.com. 417-334-2410.

Contact kbuckstaff@bransoncvb.com.  ExploreBranson.com.  417-334-4084

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Bringing You Branson, May 20

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Kathryn Buckstaff

Bringing You BransonPlumb Nellie Weekend

The 51st Plumb Nellie Days Art & Craft Festival in Historic Downtown Branson is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 150 crafters. Saturday: Costumed Dog Show, 9 a.m.; Street Dance, 6:30-9:30 p.m. DowntownBranson.org. 417-334-1548.

Fiddle Around

Compton Ridge Campground hosts the 26th annual “Bob Walsh Memorial Fiddlers Convention” Saturday at the campground on Mo. 265. Stroll the grounds, listen to jam sessions and performances by area artists. Free. Get 15% off accommodations there if you mention the Fiddlers Convention. ComptonRidge.com. 417-338-2911.

Saturday Humane Society Fundraiser

Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at The Starlite Theatre for the season premier of Cirque Montage to benefit Shepherd of the Hills Humane Society for a $10 cash donation. General seating. StarliteTheatre.com, 417-337-9333.

Zipping In The City

Adventure Ziplines of Branson is the only zip line adventure inside city limits. Reach up to 50 mph on the steel lines. The ride through the treetops including 7 zip lines, 3 rope bridges and an ATV ride. AdventureZiplinesOfBranson.com. 417-239-3030

Memorial Flowers and More

The largest selection ever of Memorial Day flowers fills two aisles at Dick’s Old Time 5 & 10 on Main Street in downtown Branson. Check the History Boards above each aisle. Dick’s celebrating their 50th anniversary. Also a new line of Dick’s logo items including Christmas ornaments. DicksOldTime5and10.com. 417-334-2410.

Big Menu Plus Music

The fabulous menu for Jack’s Plaza View Restaurant is on their website. Atop the Grand Plaza Hotel, it offers a great view and music by Kenny Parrott who takes requests 5 to 7:30 p.m. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Sunday. Meet owner and former major league pitcher Jack Hamilton. BransonGrandPlaza.com. 800-850-6646.

New Stage Give Elvis Options

Joseph Hall’s Elvis Rock ‘n’ Remember Tribute to the young, dynamic Elvis has moved to the New Americana Theater across from Presleys’ Jubilee. Hall was in the Top 10 of America’s Got Talent when judge Sharon Osbourne said, “You don’t have to sing. Just stand there.” Hall said he’s enjoying the large stage, live band and great lighting. 2 p.m. Saturday.  JosephHallBransonElvis.com. 417-339-4663.

Contact kbuckstaff@bransoncvb.com.  ExploreBranson.com.  417-334-4084.

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Golf Course Reviewer: Thousand Hills “Not Short on Charm”

Posted on May 13, 2011 by James Little

Avid course critic John Garrity just posted a great review of Thousand Hills course in Branson.

Thousand Hills Golf Course's fairways are often cloaked in fog early in the morning or after a rain.

“I found Thousand Hills to be anything but an executive course. Only two of the par 3s are shorter than 160 yards from the tips, and two of them measure more than 200 — and that’s with creeks, ponds, ravines, and stone outcroppings to negotiate. The 425-yard, par-4 16th, with its marshside green, is as strong a hole as you’ll find in the Ozarks, and the finishing hole is a 533-yard par-5 lined with Nashville agents and Chinese-acrobat groupies.”

Read the entire course review here….

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Bringing You Branson, May 13

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Kathryn Buckstaff

Bringing You BransonMoon River Special

Throughout the summer, children 10 and under may eat for $1 at Andy William’s Moon River Grill. Proceeds go to a local charity for children. New menu items include Chicken Avocado Wrap and Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes. Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Closed Sunday. AndyWilliams.com. 417-337-9539.

Dixie Stampede Rides Again

This four-course dinner and show starts with entertainment in the Carriage Room at 4:30 p.m. Friday; 4:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday. Amazing feats of horse and rider. Fun audience participation. Good eats. DixieStampede.com 800-520-5544.

Noah Still On The Ark

Sight & Sound has opened for the season with “Noah—The Musical.” A must-see. 300-foot wraparound stage. Hundreds of live and animatronic animals. A talented cast brings the Bible to life. 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.  Sight-Sound.com. 800-337-1277.

All Your Old Toys!

That’s what you’ll find at the World’s Largest Toy Museum. From the 1800’s to Star Wars and Barbie. Plus they have the Harold Bell Wright Collection including his guns. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. WorldsLargestToyMuseum.com. 417-332-1499.

New Shanghai Circus

Don’t miss the Acrobats of China Featuring the New Shanghai Circus. This new troupe of 40 young Chinese acrobats offers an exciting fast-paced production after training from childhood. A cultural experience. 3 and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 8 p.m. Sunday. AcrobatsOfChina.com. 877-212-4462.

Copper Run Distillery

Nine miles north of Branson, you’ll find this cool business. Artisan distiller Jim Blansit makes moonshine and ages it into bourbon. He also makes rum from blackstrap molasses aged in cherry casks. Free tours and samples. He sells two-gallon barrels and starter kits. 10 to 7 p.m. daily. 1910 Day Rd., Walnut Shade. CopperRunDistillery.com. 417-587-3456.

Take-Out or Eat-In

You may order take-out pizza from Papa Grand’s Pizza in the Grand Country Square on Mo. 76. But if you go to the buffet, there are several of kinds of pizza PLUS three kinds of dessert pizzas. Also go to the Grand Country Buffet for a delicious breakfast. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. GrandCountry.com. 417-336-6709.

Contact kbuckstaff@bransoncvb.com.  ExploreBranson.com.  417-334-4084

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The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks…a great place for distinctive dining

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Tamra Jane Corbin

If you’re looking for a new and interesting place to take a group for lunch or just a romantic dinner for two the Keeter Center on the campus of College of the Ozarks is a great choice!

I had a group of friends visiting Branson this past weekend and wanted to give them a different experience than what they could get in any town, so we went to the Keeter Center for breakfast one morning. The College of the Ozarks is a unique college with an interesting history. www.cofo.edu The students work at on campus jobs to help offset the cost of their education so they have the opportunity to graduate completely debt free.  They did an excellent job setting up a great breakfast for us.

The Keeter center houses a hotel, a restaurant, several meeting rooms, private dining rooms and much more. Our group was in one of the private dining rooms. The decor and table settings were very elegant and impressed every member of the group.

The food was delicious! They created a custom menu just for us. The ham came straight from the farm that is on campus.

The students that prepared and served our meal did a fantastic job and it was very interesting hearing their stories about where they were from and what brought them to the school. They were very friendly and professional.

The entire staff was great to work with. They were willing to customize their services to anything we wanted and even gave us a tour of the very impressive hotel rooms. For more information on all of the many services the Keeter Center offers visit their website at www.keetercenter.edu.

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A Unique Ozarks Experience: Table Rock Dam Tour

Posted on April 30, 2011 by James Little

At 252 feet tall, Table Rock Dam is one of the largest dams in Missouri, and it’s certainly a defining landmark in the Branson/Lakes region. However, many visitors to the Branson area aren’t aware that they can take a guided tour inside the dam.

Table Rock Dam

The Ozarks Rivers Heritage Foundation has partnered with Ride The Ducks to provide tours inside Table Rock Dam again. The tours were commonplace until a decade ago, but after Sept. 11, 2001, the tours came to an end as additional security measures were put in place to protect the dam. Luckily, the tours resumed in 2010, managed by the foundation.

The tours leave from the Dewey Short Visitors Center on the south end of the dam and take a restored San Francisco Cable Car across the dam and down to the dam’s powerplant.

Cable Car Crossing Table Rock Dam

You must be a U.S. citizen older than six to go on the tour, and security inside the dam is very tight. Security cameras are everywhere, and visitors can’t carry any personal items on the tour, including purses, cameras, cell phones, water bottles or fanny packs (the reason I don’t have any pics from inside the dam to share). Be sure to store your items in your locked vehicle before departing, otherwise you’ll have to use a secure locker outside the dam.

After arriving at the base of the dam, visitors leave the trolley and enter the lobby of the powerhouse. The tour includes the major areas of the dam, including a look at the turbines and massive 18-foot-diameter penstock pipes that feed them with water from Table Rock Lake (be sure to put your hand on the smaller penstock pipe that feeds the station generator — the water is a chilly 45 degrees). You’ll also get to leave the powerplant and take a tour inside the cave-like passageways deep inside the concrete dam. You’ll even get to stand inside the deep passageway that was designated as a fallout shelter during the Cold War. And you’ll also get a great view of the spillway from inside the security fence.

Table Rock Dam and Powerhouse

Table Rock Dam was built primarily for flood control, and secondarily to generate hydroelectric power. Since its completion in 1958, the dam has mitigated flooding on Lake Taneycomo, which until that time had suffered from wildly unpredictable water levels (of course, as we’ve seen this Spring, Taneycomo can still flood, but the dam controls the amount of water entering the lake).

The powerplant can produce more than 200,000 kilowatts of electricty when all four turbines are engaged. The dam is more than a mile long (6,423 feet counting the concrete dam and earthen embankments) and forms Table Rock Lake, one of the Midwest’s most popular recreational and fishing lakes.

The tour is a very unique education experience (most dams in the United States don’t offer tours), and is perfect for a family outing, a church group or a scout group.

The Details:

  • Tours depart daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. from the Dewey Short Visitors Center (arrive at least 20-30 minutes early)
  • Price: $14.50 for adults (12+), $8.00 for children (6-11), children younger than 6 not permitted.
  • What they don’t tell you: Be sure to use the restroom before leaving the Dewey Short Visitors Center; no bathroom facilities are available at the dam.
  • More info: www.tablerockdamtours.com or call 417-266-7621
Posted in Outdoor Activities | 1 Comment

New Coffee Shop in Town

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Tamra Jane Corbin

When I heard that a new coffee shop was opening in town I was ecstatic. I love coffee and I love trying new kinds so I had been anticipating this day for a long time! Heroes Coffee did not disappoint. The laid back atmosphere makes a great place to hang out with friends or relax by yourself and enjoy your favorite cup of joe.

You can get any of their signature drinks hot, iced or frapped. Make sure to check out the rest of their unique and creative drink combinations too!

Heroes Coffee Menu

There are multiple options for seating. The couches are great for relaxing with a cup of coffee and reading a newspaper or book. There are also tables and chairs that are perfect for visiting with friends or working on a laptop.

Heroes Coffee is located in Music City Center 1835 W. Hwy 76

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A Weekend Family Retreat to Big Cedar Lodge

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Celeste Justice

After a snowy winter, the birds started chirping, the flowers started blooming. Spring arrived, and my family had a major case of cabin fever. The cure? A weekend getaway to Big Cedar Lodge!

Guests are immersed in beauty the second they drive through the entrance. Our children were amazed that we were able to drive through a waterfall.

Guests are greeted with a beautiful waterfall that flows over the entrance road

They have a variety of lodging options– from a studio rooms to several different sizes of cabins. All of them are beautiful. We typically try to stay in a cabin due to the size of our family. However, when we don’t have the children, we rent a room in one of the lodges.

Mary loved the deck

Cabins are great not only for the privacy and additional space, but they also have fully stocked kitchens. And I mean fully stocked– everything you need to cook. Plus, there is a great grill on the back deck!

Two bedroom cabin with loft

We made filet mignon with asparagus and red potatoes in our cabin

We usually cook a lot in our cabin, but we can’t resist the amazing restaurants at Big Cedar. We typically eat at Devil’s Pool; the atmosphere is fun and the food is amazing! They also deliver to rooms and cabins if guests feel like staying in.

The attention to detail at Big Cedar is amazing, even their signs are works of art!

We have been to Big Cedar in the past, but the children weren’t old enough to enjoy everything they have to offer.  This time the older two were able to enjoy planned activities, hang out at the Kid’s Club, feed the fish at the Bent Hook Marina, and take a pony ride at the Cedar Mountain Stables.

Bent Hook Marina is an attraction in itself!

At the stables waiting on their ponies

Muscle Man Luke with his pony and wonderful cowboy guide

Someone had a bit of a crush on the cowboy

The older children had a blast riding ponies and walking on the nature trails. Baby Mary’s favorite part was the cookie lady. Every night, fresh cookies are delivered by a very sweet “Cookie Lady.”

Mary's first cookie

It was a wonderful weekend, but we left feeling like we didn’t even scratch the surface of everything Big Cedar has to offer.

____________________________________________________________________

The scoop:

Cost: You can spend as much or as little as you want. Even if you aren’t staying on property, you can still rent boats from the marina, visit the stables, and eat at one of their amazing restaurants.

Time: There is plenty of things to do at Big Cedar — stay as short or as long as you would like! We have stayed here during every season of the year, and each one has their perks. Sitting by the fire and sipping hot cocoa while it snows outside is amazing, as is running around enjoying a beautiful summer in the Ozarks.

Food: Check to see what kind of kitchen and appliances your room/cabin has before you go. Plan accordingly. We tend to eat in for breakfast and then switch between cooking and eating out for lunch and dinner.

Stroller: There is room ample room all over property for strollers. I would bring a front or back carrier if you have a young child and plan on visiting the hiking trails.

Suggestions: Plan ahead. Their website has a wealth of information. Their staff is really helpful and happy to answer any questions you may have.

Posted in Moms' Corner | 1 Comment

A tasty lunch, and a 43-foot chicken

Posted on April 15, 2011 by James Little

Branson’s newest restaurant on the famed 76 Strip, the Great American Steak and Chicken House, has only been open for a couple of days, but we decided to make the trip for a casual lunch. The restaurant stands on the location of the old Peppercorn’s Restaurant, but the building has seen a $1.5 million makeover.

Great American Steak and Chicken House - Exterior

The exterior of the new Great American Steak and Chicken House in Branson

Of course, it’s really hard to miss. The new restaurant is also home to Mr. Peck… a 43-foot chicken statue that the restaurant owner says is being considered by the Guinness Book of World Records as record-holder for the world’s largest. Mr. Peck’s wooden head was carved by a chainsaw artist, and the rest of the body was molded around a steel frame on-site.

Behind Mr. Peck is a large restaurant modeled after a traditional American barn (complete with grain silo). You enter the restaurant through the beastly bird’s legs, and the farmhouse motif continues inside… complete with a tin-roof ceiling. The very well-stocked salad bar sits beneath a restored vintage Farmall tractor (and life-sized cow statue). The adjacent bar has tractor seats as barstools, and the chairs throughout the dining room are custom-made with punched-tin chicken designs on the seats.

Great steak-chicken Dining Room

Diners enjoy traditional American fare at the new Great American Steak and Chicken House

And that’s just the surroundings. The salad bar is one of the better-stocked selections in Branson, including three choices for greens, lots of topping choices and a variety of “salad sides” like chili and soup, pickled okra, pickled green-been salad, black-eyed pea salad, potato salad and more.

A substantial salad bar gives patrons many healthy and fresh options.

Diners need to prepare for a variety of traditional American fare, including steaks and homestyle fried chicken (the proprietor’s secret recipe). Waiters bring out some amazing cast-iron skillet style cornbread, and then come back to bring samples of homemade kettle-fried chips and deep-fried pickles.

On the menu, patrons can choose from various chicken and beef offerings, including burgers and sandwiches, and some other less-common options, such as fried frogs legs, deep-fried livers (chicken or beef), shrimp and more.

The Great American Steak and Chicken House also is open for breakfast, and several items from the breakfast menu are available throughout the day.

A restored Farmall tractor sits above the Great American Steak and Chicken House's soup and salad bar

The restaurant is managed by Branson’s Best Restaurants, which also manages WhipperSnappers, the Plantation Restaurant, Fall Creek Steak & Catfish House and The Baldknobbers Country Restaurant. More information is available at http://www.bransonsbestrestaurant.com/Great_American_Steak_Chicken%20House.html

Gotta get past me to go to the restroom! ;-)

Posted in Branson News, Friends and Fun | 4 Comments

Girlfriends Getaway in Branson

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Tamra Jane Corbin

When I heard my college roommates wanted to plan a weekend getaway a few months ago I was really excited. We hadn’t all been together in three years and after spending practically our entire college careers together 3 years felt like forever. It was difficult choosing a date all six of us had free, but choosing a location was easy. Of course I suggested we all meet in Branson. Not only was it a central location, but there were so many options for things to do. It was a unanimous decision. The next thing I knew we had booked a condo on the lake with an incredible view. The condo was great because we could all be together and not spread out among hotel rooms.

Our first night we went to dinner at Florentina’s Restorante Italiano. We chose to do the family style dining so we could all share. It was a great chance to catch up on everything that had happened in our lives over the past couple of years.

Our favorite part of the weekend was our day at the spa. Simply Red Salonspa was wonderful in accommodating our entire group so we could all enjoy the relaxing massages, pedicures, manicures and facials together. Even Karli who was 7 months pregnant enjoyed a special pregnancy massage.

We ended the weekend with an afternoon of shopping and plans to reunite again next year.

Enjoying pedicures at the spa.

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