Branson Area

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau presented its annual awards. The Mary Award was given to Jeff Justus, owner of L&J Plumbing Supply, for his outstanding service to the community.

The Pioneer Award, given to a person demonstrating outstanding community service in the past, was posthumously presented to M.B. Skaggs, founder of Safeway grocery stores, and his wife Estella, who both worked to raise funds to build Skaggs Community Hospital.

The Ambassador Award was presented to College of the Ozarks President Jerry C. Davis for his ambassadorship on behalf of the Branson area. A special recognition award was presented in memory of Sen. Larry Gene Taylor for his commitment to the Branson area during his years of service.

Jeff Daniel of the Western Taney County Fire District was named 2005 Firefighter of the Year for Firehouse No. 7, the fire district’s headquarters. The honor was in recognition of Daniel’s outstanding performance as a newly certified volunteer firefighter.

The Taney County Industrial Development Authority named Joan Chowning its economic development director. Chowning works with a six-member board to promote economic vitality in Taney County through job creation and community development.

Entertainment

Branson entertainer Jim Barber performed at the Academy Awards Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards black-tie dinner Feb. 18. The awards were presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for devices, methods, formulas, discoveries or inventions of special value to the arts and sciences of motion pictures. Barber was chosen by event producers to provide the comedy entertainment for the ceremony.

Health Care

Skaggs Community Health Center in Branson was named among the top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical excellence by HealthGrades, a national independent health care ratings firm. Skaggs was No. 1 in southern Missouri, including Springfield, in four categories: overall cardiac services and coronary interventions; overall cardiology services; overall orthopedics; and gastrointestinal services.

HealthGrades’ Hospital Quarterly In America Study analyzes 5,000 hospitals across the country.

Hospitality

Branson-based Myer Hotels was named a Top Hotel Company for the fourth consecutive year by Hotel and Motel Management magazine. The list is based on a survey conducted in July and August of 2005. The ranking of Myer Hotels, which includes Best Western Center Pointe Inn, Best Western Music Capital Inn, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows and Comfort Inn West, improved 23 spots to No. 247.[[In-content Ad]]