Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Debby Boone joins musical cast

Debby Boone will star in a new musical comedy, "Mississippi Love," at the Mark Twain Playhouse in Branson, according to a release from the theater.

Boone will perform the lead role of Aunt Polly during September and October, with the premier performance set for Sept. 8. The show is produced and directed by Michael Jenkins. Based on the escapades of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, "Mississippi Love" features more than 15 original musical numbers and a cast in excess of 30 people.

Boone's appearance marks a return to the Branson stage. She first performed in Branson during Christmas 1999 at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre.

Country Music USA now open

Country Music USA, a store focused on music, music videos, DVDs, posters and T-shirts, is now open at Factory Shoppes at Branson Meadows, 4562 Gretna Road.

According to an announcement from the Konover Property Trust, the self-administered real estate investment trust that owns the outlet mall, the store's wares go beyond country artists and include pop, rock, rhythm and blues, classical music and movie soundtracks.

The Konover trust is based in Raleigh, N.C., and now owns, operates or has under development 145 shopping centers in 22 states totaling nearly 17 million square feet.

Joplin

McDonald House wins contest

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States is a winner in the International Ronald McDonald House Charities Competition.

The local charity won second place in the category of Community Awareness for the cover photo on this year's Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages Directory.

"Southwestern Bell estimates that in one year our phone book in the tri-state area will be picked up 16.5 million times," said Annette Thurston, executive director of Joplin's Ronald McDonald House. "Its an awareness for all Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide when they see us on the phone book."

The competition is held biannually by the National McDonald House Charities.

United Way names chair

Ronald Pence, executive vice president and loan officer for Arvest Bank, will serve as the chairman of the United Way of Southwest Missouri campaign for 2001-2002.

A goal of $975,000 has been set, with the campaign running Aug. 2-Nov. 14.

Route 66 fest set for July 12-15

The fourth annual Route 66 Music Festival will be held in Joplin the weekend of July 12-15.

Scheduled performers include Tracy Lawrence, John Kay & Steppenwolf, Lynrd Skynyrd, The Charlie Daniels Band, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Travis Tritt.

A crowd of 75,000 is expected during the four-day event, which will be held on 238 acres three miles southeast of Joplin, close to the intersection of I-44 and Highway 71 South.

Pontiac/GMC is the presenting sponsor of the Route 66 Music Festival. This includes Pontiac/GMC dealers in Joplin, Springfield, Fayetteville, Ark., and Tulsa, Okla. Zimmer Radio Group of Joplin is the presenting radio station and KOAM-TV, Pittsburg-Joplin, is the presenting television station.

"The response to our move to Joplin has been fantastic," said Alysia Keller, festival manager. "With the line-up we have, we feel we are going to hold one of the nation's premier outdoor musical events."

To purchase tickets or check out the festival's web site, call 417-624-6444 at www.route66musicfestival.com.

Neosho

La-Z-Boy eliminates 46 local jobs

A softening economy and a slowdown in furniture sales has led to layoffs at a leading southwest Missouri manufacturer.

La-Z-Boy Midwest has eliminated 46 positions at the Neosho plant, causing 44 people to be temporarily laid off.

Company officials say workers will be called back to work as normal attrition creates vacancies or when orders increase.

In April, the plant's parent company, La-Z-Boy Inc., announced the closure of two plants, one in Marion, Va., and the other in Selma, Ala. Additionally, manufacturing was halted at the company's contract furniture plant in Lincolnton, N.C., but the plant still manufactures furniture for residential use.

This restructuring will eliminate 310 jobs in the next six months.

The company announced in April that fourth-quarter sales and earnings fell short of expectations. Jerry Kiser, company president and chief executive officer, said sales were "flat to slightly down."