Southwest Missouri News

Home-based businesses meet Oct. 7

The new Home-Based Business Association of Branson will meet for lunch at 11:45 a.m. Oct. 7 at Sadie's Sideboard Restaurant in Branson. Those interested in networking and assisting other home-based business owners in business promotion are welcome to attend. Trish Hall will speak on business communications.

Festival of Lights prepares kickoff

Holiday lighting is weeks away for the Branson area with the Festival of Lights Parkway, a two-mile road, scheduled to open Nov. 1-Jan. 2, with a kickoff event Nov. 3.

The Branson Area Festival of Lights Committee needs to raise $250,000 dollars to produce the event, according to the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. The Festival of Lights will host a fund raiser beginning at 6 a.m. Oct. 7 at Country Tonite with Radio KOMC/KRZK in Branson.

Chamber moves Branson Fest to April 5-9

The board of directors for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce moved the date and site of its eighth annual Branson Fest to April 5-9, 2000, at the Mel Tillis Theatre in Branson. The board moved the event further into the spring to benefit from better weather and to coincide with openings and other special events of the more seasonal activities and shows.

QVC plans to feature local merchants

According to Branson Broadcasting Corporation Vice President Debra Moreno-Lowther, the company is bringing the home shopping channel QVC to Branson for two, two-hour specials, with taping to begin as early as November or December. Amber Lamerson, director of sales and administration with Branson Broadcasting Corporation, said QVC will be in Branson for on-site inspections Oct. 8-10. Branson merchants and vendors can drop off products for evaluation and possible exposure on QVC no later than Oct. 6 at Ozark Postal Express in Branson. Lamerson said Branson Broadcasting Corporation has submitted more than 400 pieces of merchandise during the past 1 1/2 years to entice QVC to Branson.

Program to warn of crimes against business

To curb retail crime in Branson, the Branson Police Department is working with the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce to establish a new program called Operation Notification. When the police department verifies that a business crime, such as writing a bad check, passing counterfeit money, theft, burglary or shoplifting has been committed, it will contact the chamber. The chamber will then notify and alert all participating businesses and the media by fax or e-mail. According to the police department, a participating business can then be on the lookout and inform employees to also be watchful doe criminal activity. The police department has sent letters to 1,200 businesses asking for voluntary participation in the program. Branson Police Chief Steve Mefford said the free program is open to all Branson businesses. Merchants do not have to be a member of the chamber to participate, but must have valid city merchant's licenses.

Combination florist, bakery opens

Fresh flowers and homemade pies and cakes team up in a new Carthage business, All Occasions, 2415 Fairlawn.

Charlie Bittick and Kay Shipman opened the combination florist and bakery. Most bakery recipes for cakes, breads, rolls, cookies and other sweets are family recipes, Bittick said.

Customers frequently combine the baked goods and flowers for a unique gift, he said. The store offers gift items, including Berry Hill collectible bears. The shop delivers to Carthage, Joplin and Webb City.