Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Baldknobbers hosts Vet salute

Tony Orlando will present the "Tony Orlando Yellow Ribbon Salute to Vet-erans" at 1 p.m. Nov. 11 at The Bald-knobbers Theatre. The salute is one of many events geared to Branson's Vet-erans Homecoming Week.

"The Veterans Homecoming Week is a key event for Branson, and we truly enjoy sharing our home with Tony Orlando. It is our hope for this year that the event will be more momentous than the previous year," said Bill Mabe, co-owner of the Baldknobbers Entertain-ment Complex.

Tickets for the event will go on sale Sept. 4 at The Baldknobbers Theatre.

Chamber sets date for local Fest

The 10th annual Branson Fest will be held at the Lawrence Welk Champagne Theatre April 3-7, 2002, and tickets went on sale Aug. 13, according to a press release from the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The five-day event showcases the area's performing and visual artists, featuring some of Branson's most popular performers and entertainment choices.

Branson Fest 2002 will mark the area's kick-off of the spring/summer seasons and is sponsored by the chamber and CVB.

Tickets to the event are $28 per show, with a package five-show rate of $125. Ticket information is available from the Lawrence Welk Champagne Theatre.

Fiddle contest held Aug. 18

Downtown Branson played host to the 14th annual Old Time Fiddle Contest Aug. 18. The event provided more than $3,500 in cash prizes and trophies in four divisions: the Junior Division, ages 0-15; the Old Time Traditional Style Division; the Texas Style Division; and the Senior Division, age 60 and up.

The program, an annual heritage event celebrating the Ozarks music tradition, was sponsored by the Downtown Branson Main Street Association and funded by the Missouri Arts Council.

Branson Cup set for Oct. 5-7

The inaugural Branson Cup Golf Tournament will be held Oct. 5-7 at Branson Creek Golf Club, according to a press release from Branson Creek.

"We have hosted a variety of corporate outings and scramble events, but golfers have been asking for an individual stroke play tournament in this part of the country and this one will be a dandy," said Monte Schisler, tournament coordinator at Branson Creek.

The entry fee for the Branson Cup is $500 per player, which includes all golf, carts, range balls, food and beverage and a Branson Creek Tournament Gift Pack-age. The event includes a practice round and barbecue dinner Oct. 5, and golfers will play a 36-hole stroke play event on the weekend with the field divided into five flights.

A cocktail party and charity auction will be held Oct. 6 at Chateau on the Lake.

The Branson Cup Youth Foundation is hosting the Branson Cup Golf Tournament; it is a nonprofit foundation established to help raise funds for various youth-related activities in southwest Missouri. Proceeds from this year's golf tournament will benefit Youth Life of Taney County, a non-denominational faith-based organization that focuses on the character and spiritual development needs of teenage youth.

Carthage

Leggett & Platt declares dividend

The board of directors of Leggett & Platt Inc. has announced a third quarter dividend of 12 cents per share. The dividend will be paid on Sept. 14 to shareholders of record on Aug. 24, 2001.

This quarterly dividend is the identical rate declared the second quarter of 2001, and is 9.1 percent higher than the dividend declared in the third quarter of 2000.

According to the company officials, Leggett & Platt has increased dividends for 30 consecutive years.

Carl Junction

City gains development grant

Carl Junction is one of six Missouri communities selected to receive state grants aimed at economic development.

The Rural Economic Assistance Program grants, administered by the Missouri Department of Economic De-velopment, are for up to $30,000 a year for two years, and include technical assistance.

Carl Junction will use the money to hire an economic development specialist.

Joplin

Cancer program gets accreditation

The American College of Surgeons has accredited the cancer program at St. John's Regional Medical Center.

"We are proud to receive this approval of our comprehensive cancer program," said Whit Sanders, director of radiation oncology.

The accrediting group uses 10 standards to evaluate cancer programs, including clinical management, continuing-care services, research, cancer data management, public education, prevention and detection.

LaBarge named preferred supplier

The Boeing Co. has recognized La-Barge Inc.'s Joplin plant.

Boeing uses Preferred Supplier Certification to identify and recognize high-performing suppliers that are strategically important to the company.

Fewer than 700 of Boeing's 20,000 suppliers receive that level of certification, the company said.

Workers at the Joplin plant produce electrical power center units, which are the power control centers of Boeing MD-10 aircraft; cable assemblies for the Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle; and wiring assemblies for precision guided anti-ship missiles.