Southwest Missouri News

Skaggs marks construction with flag

Skaggs Community Health Center celebrated Flag Day and the halfway point of construction of its new $20-million outpatient center June 14 by raising the American flag to the top of the steel structure-in-progress. The American flag flies more than 100 feet above ground from a flag pole atop what will be the fifth floor of the 112,000-square-foot project. According to J.D. Anthony, director of construction for Skaggs Community Health Center, "it is a tradition to raise the American flag over a major construction project when the highest piece of steel has been put in place." Anthony said the outpatient center, under construction adjacent to Skaggs Community Health Center near downtown Branson, is on schedule for a January 2000 opening. All of Skaggs's outpatient services will be housed there, along with an after-hours medical clinic for nontrauma cases, physicians' offices, retail space, an aquatic-therapy pool and a new dining room and kitchen to serve the entire hospital campus.

Chamber names Harding marketing VP

Bryan Harding is the new vice president of marketing for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, according to the association. Harding left Little Rock, Ark., where he was director of marketing communications for Entergy, an investor-owned utility and Fortune 500 company. Harding also previously worked as a partner and account director for the advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather. He began his Branson duties the week of May 24.

Remington ice rink can't stand the heat

Norm Jewell, general manager of the Remington Theatre Complex in Branson, attributed to Mother Nature the closing of the Remington Public Ice Skating Rink May 26. The ice rink will remain closed for the summer. According to a news release issued by Remington Theatre Complex, the rink was plagued with serious melting problems ever since it opened in February. Adding a tent to cover the rink from the sun and wind failed as a solution. "With the hottest of the summer months still ahead of us, we have no other choice but to close the rink," Jewell said. For the summer, the theater announced it would open a free petting zoo with various farm animals to pet and feed.

Two companies offer outdoor trips

Kayaking tours of Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Lake and mountain biking through area national-forest land are a few of the outdoor trips offered to Branson visitors in a joint venture. The activities are offered by Trek the Ozarks president Ty Lewis in conjunction with Craig Erickson, owner of Downhill Bikes & Accessories. The two Branson businessmen offer equipment, instruction, transportation and guide service to small groups of four to 10 people.[[In-content Ad]]