Shepherd of the Hills Gazette | Spring 2013

The Shepherd of the Hills Gazette a March/April 2013

The Shepherd of the Hills Gazette March/April 2013 a

The Shepherd of the Hills Gazette is published five times per year and is distributed free of charge at stateand regional outlets or by mail at an annual subscripton rate of $10.00 for five issues. If you have anyproblems with your paper delivery, please call 417-32-1099 or write us at 118 State Drive, Hollister,Missouri 65672.The Shepherd of the Hills Gazette reserves the right to edit or delete any and/or all objec-tional wording or decline any advertisements.

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The Shepherd of the Hills Historical SocietyPublisher

SHARENA NAUGHEREditor

PAT SNADONContributing Editor

PAULA LIVELYDistribution

LINDA BURLINGAMEROBIN WITHROWAdvertising Executives

JAPHETH CAMPBELLTechnical Director

JEN SHEPPARDLayout/Design

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What’s Happening ...Tribute to Philip Wellford

By Linda Burlingame

Many who have been visiting Branson for a lotof years remember Philip Wellford, marvelous jug-gler and comedian. Philip died in December after along illness. (He was diagnosed in 2007 with earlyon-set dementia.) Two of Philip’s classic acts werethe Adam & Eve juggling bit (which won him anEmmy Award) and his unicycle adventure — with"razor sharp knives," "burning torches" and anunsuspecting audience member! There was a won-derful memorial service for him, with family, manygreat friends, other entertainers, lots of fun photosand videos that reminded everyone of the love andhumor he brought into our lives. (Heaven must be abit more rollicking now, I’m sure.) There is a goodFacebook page for Philip Wellford’s "Juggler Love"Branson Memorial.

Philip was born in Memphis in 1954 but grew upin Sarasota, FL. (I’m thinking of the Circus

Museum!) He earned a BAfrom the University ofSouth Florida, moved to Berkeley, CA, where hestudied and received aMaster in Divinity at StarrKing School of Ministry.(Not surprising at all, whenyou think about it.) It wasabout that time he learnedto juggle. He started blend-ing comedy into jugglingroutines and quicklybecame a "must see" act onFisherman’s Wharf at Pier39. He toured with theRoyal Lichtenstein Circus,a small circus troupe run bya Jesuit priest, and traveledacross the entire country.He moved to Los Angeles,opening for stars likeJohnny Mathis, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Andy Gibb.

Philip shared comedy club stages with Jay Leno,Robin Williams and Howie Mandel. In 1985 he won

an Emmy Award for hisAdam & Eve routine onComedy Tonight.

Here in Branson wehave the late, great AndyWilliams to thank for intro-ducing us to Philip, in 1992.I remember the first time Isaw Philip’s act at Andy’s.My daughter (in college) andmy mother (in her 80’s) werewith me. All three of uslaughed ‘til we cried and Ithought how great, reachingthree generations with histhoughtful, clever comedy.

See WELLFORD, Page 15

March/April 2013


Fishing for a Cure… Moon River Vamp Spook

By Linda Burlingame

"No fishing in Moon River!" But … have youheard about the Moon River fishing lure?

It started last yearat a marketing meet-ing held at MoonRiver Theatre. Ourfriend LouanneDanner joked that"Moon River" shouldhave its own fishinglure. As they say,"One thing led toanother," and a greatproject was born.

A friend at BassPro Shops suggested

Danner run in a half-marathon that raises funds forthe Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. Bass Pro ShopsOutdoor Equipment Company is a longtime support-er of that organization. A Moon River Theatre friend

is a survivor of the disease and the theater agreedto sponsor the development of the lure. They wereoff and running.

Bass Pro Shops agreed to assist in designingand producing the box forthe lure. The manufacturerof Heddon Lures agreed toproduce a small amount ofthe lures to use for the fundraising. Everyone just kepton giving.

The lure itself is a repli-ca of a 1940's originalHeddon lure. The Vamp

Spook was the first Heddon lure made of plastic;they cost more but were advertised to last ten timeslonger than a wooden lure. Today the Vamp Spook isvery popular with collectors. The new box designfeatures a young boy fishing (in the moonlight), anod to "my Huckleberry friend" in Andy's signaturesong, Moon River. The design incorporates the logo

See FISHING, Page 15


Kirby VanBurch … theatre now on the strip!

By Linda Burlingame

The Travel Channel says theKirby VanBurch Show is one ofAmerica’s Best Magic Shows! Noargument from me, I love Kirby’sshow. His Kirby VanBurch Theatrehas moved to 1835 W. Hwy. 76 (acrossfrom Applebee’s).

Kirby VanBurch mesmerizesaudiences. He presents elaborate,extravagant illusions as well as aston-ishing sleight of hand. Sands of theNile is one of my favorites; the illusionis more than 3000 years old. Changingthe color of sand … in water! Cuttingtwo girls in half is one thing. But thenKirby puts them back together wear-ing different outfits?! Kirby hasexceptionally good stage presence andpresentation, which is part of his suc-

cess. His playful grin says, wait ‘tilthey see this! He’s quick and wittywhen working with an audience mem-ber — a man and his wallet, or ayoungster helping on stage.

Award-winning magician BambiVanBurch (The Merlin Award forFemale Magician of the Year is one ofher honors!) is also featured in theshow. I love the Poultry in Motion illu -sion she does. (Don’t try this at home.)Her performances are seamless andwell, unbelievable!

Royal White Tigers and leopardsand other exotic animals are part ofthis marvelous, magical show. They"appear" or "disappear" incredibly,just like the human cast members! One

See KIRBY, Page 16


College of the Ozarks& The Keeter Center

Top honors all around!By Linda Burlingame

In the January 2013 issue of Holstein World, the College of the Ozarks (Cof O) dairy ranks sixth out of the top 18 college dairy herds in the nation, in thecategory of "Leading Breed Age Average Herds."

"The success of our program is due to better breed genetics and good herdmanagement practices," said Assistant Farm Manager Bryan Cizek. "The major-ity of our herd is rated as ‘good plus to very good.’An impartial AmericanHolstein Association officialevaluates milking cows onceper year to determine a cow’s"classification score." Theofficial rates the cows onhow they compare to the"ideal cow," as defined by theHolstein Association. In myhumble opinion, I think the Cof O cows are probably quitecontented. After all, they’reliving on the campus of oneof the nation’s top work col-leges!

The milk is put to gooduse, too. If you stay in one ofthe elegantly rustic rooms orsuites (each with a fireplaceand its own balcony) in TheKeeter Center, a bottle ofthe milk and cookies bakedthere are part of your turndown service. It’s available atDobyns Dining Hall there,too, and is also used in the delicious ice creamthey make. Executive Chef Robert Stricklinwent to Ice Cream University. Really. Staytuned; in another issue I’ll tell you more!Many ingredients in meals there are grown inthe campus garden, like tomatoes, green beansand beets.

See College of the Ozarks, Page 16


Dixie Stampede They’re back … world-famous racing ostriches!

By Linda Burlingame

Dolly Parton has brought back afavorite segment for 2013 — the rac-ing ostriches! This event is just one ofmany fun rivalries audiences enjoy inthe acclaimed Dixie Stampede DinnerAttraction! The food is every bit aswonderful as the show; you don’t wantto miss a bite or a minute of it. Ostrichraces, pig races, barrel races, wagonraces, disappearing wagons — wait,what? Some ‘sleight of hand’haseveryone wondering, "How’d he dothat?!"

This year, 2013, is Dixie’s 19thseason. And ‘back by popular demand’are the world famous racing ostriches.

Would youbelieve thesefascinating crea-tures are six feettall and weigh inaround 600pounds?! Theycan’t fly but arefleet of foot andtheir wings actas rudders tohelp changedirection whilerunning atspeeds up to 30mph.

Last year anew rivalry was

i n t r o d u c e d ,Rumble in theTreetops, a funl u m b e r j a c kc o m p e t i t i o n .Marvel at thestrength andagility of thelumberjacks asthey climb,chop, saw andlogroll throughthe four-eventrelay: racing tothe top of a tallpine; a two-mancrosscut battle,sawing througha giant log; and

splitting a log in the underhand chop-ping competition. The final leg is funas the burly lumberjacks square off inan old-fashioned log roll. Locally,more than a century ago cut logs werefloated down the White River toBranson, then taken off the river andmade into railroad ties for theTranscontinental Railroad.

And the fabulous four-coursefeast! My favorite part may be thecreamy vegetable soup (delighted toknow it’s for sale in the gift shop) orthe herb-roasted potatoes. It’s mouth-watering, cooked in Dixie’s incrediblekitchen, served hot and fresh. Enjoy

See DIXIE STAMPEDE, Page 19


By Linda Burlingame

The Texas Tenors are back on stage this year at The Starlite Theatre. Youknow, the beautiful theater on 76 with the all-glass front and the glitzy grandnew sign! (The "leap day tornado" whisked the other one away last year!) TheStarlite is a state-of-the-art, excellent venue for all their great shows. CirqueMontageis back and we’ll see more stars from Larry’s Country Dinerthis sea-son. For the Christmas season the Starlite will showcase Kenny RogersPresents The Toy Shoppestarring Billy Dean. Stay tuned for more about theshow, written by Kenny and featuring some original music.

The Texas Tenors are a phenomenon from NBC’s America’s Got Talent.The three were friends but only put their group together to be on the show. Therest, asthey say,is history.T h e i rband isoutstand-ing, too,with everygenre ofmusic. JCF i s h e r ,J o h nH a g e na n dM a r c u sC o l l i n shave very different voices, which gives them a unique style. John does thearranging and it’s excellent. Their show features a variety of favorite music.They are accomplished tenors as comfortable on stage in an opera or with a sym-phony as they are on stage at the Starlite. They are a "hot ticket" here inBranson!

Throughout the season stars from the popular RFD-TVseries Larry’sCountry Diner will appear at Starlite. This year performances April throughAugust here feature the actual diner set and original cast from the televisionshow. You’ll meet the Sheriff, Renae, Nadine, and Larry himself. At press timethe April – May lineup includes Joey+Rory, Dailey and Vincent, Gene Watson,Exile, Jimmy Fortune, Riders in the Sky and T Graham Brown. September andOctober shows will follow the "Stars of Larry’s Country Diner" concert seriesformat from last year.

See STARLITE , Page 19

The Starlite Theatre

… your favorites are backand there’s a new show!


By Linda Burlingame

And new shows! ABBA fans won't want to missDancing Queen at the King's Castle Theatre in2013. New Jersey Nights is the other ‘fab’new show

premiering this year; it’s a tribute to the music ofFrankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Dancing Queen pays tributeto Abba and the 70’s in a show-

stopping musicalextravaganza featuringsingers and dancers in apsychedelic kaleido-scope of color. Theybring classic hits to life,from Abba favoriteslike Waterloo and TheWinner Takes It All, to70's classics like YMCAand In the Navy. Anupbeat medley includesRespectand MustangSally; a rip-roaring

Motown section features Dancing in the Streets,Ain't No Motown, High Enoughand Shout.

New Jersey Nights ispacked with classic favorites.The female vocalist in thisshow puts a new slant onfavorite songs from FrankieValli and the Four Seasons,with backup singers anddancers. Choreography andcostumes make it all a feastfor the eyes. Unforgettablesongs include tunes like OhWhat a Night, My Boyfriend’sBackand Who Loves You …

See KINGS CASTLE,Page 19

King’s Castle Theatre… Branson Variety Theater renovated and renamed!


By Linda Burlingame

Perhaps more than anyone since Harold BellWright (author of The Shepherdof the Hills), Jim Thomas putBranson "on the map," bringingnationally known entertainersto this little Ozarks town. JimStafford, Mickey Gilley, MelTillis, Tony Orlando, BobbyVinton, Boxcar Willie, GlenCampbell, Ray Stevens …these are just some of thedozens of internationallyknown stars Jim brought here toentertain.

Jim Thomas built Lodge ofthe Ozarks and the theater there(now Hughes BrothersTheatre). He persuaded coun-try music star Roy Clark to put

his name on the venue and to play some dates there.Roy agreed and the Roy Clark Celebrity Theatersoon became a popular stop for entertainers who

were "on the road." Those Inamed above all eventuallyhad theaters here. How oftenthose entertainers told mehow much they loved livinghere and "letting the fanscome to us!"

Mickey Gilley has toldme about his first appearanceat Roy Clark’s in 1987. "Mymanager booked me for

afternoon andevening perform-ances." Gilley hadserious doubtsabout two shows aday scheduled forMonday, Tuesday

and Wednesday. Road dates were usually weekendevenings; he even tried to cancel. But his shows soldout and he liked working with Jim. (Gilley wasimpressed when his bus drove up to the Lodge andJim Thomas came out with Gilley’s check before heeven got off the bus!) Gilley played the theater thereagain in 1988 and 1989 and in 1990 made the "majordecision" to come "off the road" and settle inBranson.

Jim Stafford tells a similar story, saying when hedrove into town, "I knew this is where I wanted tobe, to get off the road and make a life for myselfhere." Jim Thomas told me, "I loved having JimStafford here. Even if no one had come to see him, Ijust loved having him here." Jim also opened hisshow here in 1990. It’s 2013; Jim Stafford andMickey Gilley are still performing at their theaterson Branson’s famed "76 Strip." Jim Thomas’s visionfor Branson’s future was remarkable.

See JIM THOMAS, Page 15

Remembering Jim Thomas


By Linda Burlingame

If you haven’t been in Branson for a while,Quilts & Quilts Fabric Shoppe has moved to theShepherd of the Hills Expressway.The shop is just west of IMAX.And, of course, if you give Cindyand Lacey more room, what do theydo? Right. Stock up on more ofeverything for their customers!

The last time I checked, thestore has more than 13,000 bolts offabric (13,000!), 2000 book titles(2000!), patterns, notions, yarns and"notions." They also have a lot ofthe patterns made up so you can seethe finished product. The new store is 8000 sq. ft.They relocated there after the "Leap Day Tornado"last year destroyed their original store on Hwy. 76,

which was opened in 1982.

And, of course, they have beautiful quilts, bothhandmade and machine made. They are very selec-

tive when buyinghandmade quilts tosell in their shop.Lots of quilt mak-ers would love tohave their cre-ations sold there."Few are chosen!"

It is a quilter’sparadise certainly,for anyone whosews, whether you

are making quilts, shirts, jackets, dresses … quilterssay, "It’s like a quilt show everyday!" All the ladieswho work there are very knowledgeable and a big

help with any questions you have about quilting orsewing.

If you are searching for a unique baby gift, wed-ding, birthday or graduation gift … a quilt could bethe perfect choice. Quilts wrap us up with love andmemories and are cherished for decades. Quilts arepart of the fabric of our lives. The quilts we snug-gled under at Grandma’s house. The quilts wetucked around our children. Quilts made by familyand special friends. I have some "family" quilts.They weren’t made by my mother or grandmotherbut I still remember the beds they were on in mygrandmother’s old house. And I remember the big,really thick one I’d take to lie on in the basement ofmy house in the summer, for a cool place to read myNancy Drew books.

What’s your favorite "quilt memory?" Send it tome; I might use your story!

Quilts & Quilts Fabric Shoppe… just keeps getting better!


The Cleverly Trio ...(Might notice there are five in the trio!)

at the White House TheatreBy Linda Burlingame

I feel like an inadequatewriter/reporter when it comes totelling you about Paul Harris andThe Cleverlys. This group of really

talented, outstanding musicians hascome together to give surprised audi-ences a fun mix of great music … andunique comedy that is hard todescribe!

TheCleverlys.com Web site has a"clever" storyabout this"family" andeven a familyt r e e .( S o m e o n ecalled them a"faux fami-ly!") Thestory theyhave concoct-ed and woventogether is solong andinvolved thatwhen youread it, or

watch and listen to their story on stage,it becomes hard to tell fact from fic-tion. Which in this case is particularlyscary.

The Cleverlys are a phenomenon.A YouTubes e n s a t i o ngone wild.(Millions ofhits, fans inmore than 50countries!)They per-formed atboth theC M AFestival andThe GrandOle Opry in

2011 and made appearances all overthe country. But the combination ofreally excellent music and the unique,hilarious comedy that this fictionalfamily presents is … remarkable.

See CLEVERLYS, Page 21


for Andy Williams Celebration of 75 Years in Entertainment in2012.*

Inside the box with the lure is a history of the Vamp Spook andhow to fish it. This is a limited edition; just 672 were made, net pro-ceeds go to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. The Vamp Spook isthe perfect Branson memento or gift for any outdoorsman, fisher-man, collector; it is available at the Moon River Gift Shop.

Danner says the entire experience began while training with aSpringfield Leukemia/Lymphoma team known as Team Halibut …the marathon is in Anchorage, Alaska. A special member of theirteam is a 17-year survivor of the disease. She says the entire expe-rience was remarkable. "It was the adventure of a lifetime … and theAlaska scenery was breathtaking!"

* That legacy of classic good entertainment continues this yearat Moon River Theatre. Select dates for Cat's Pajamas Vocal BandandOh What a Night in March, full schedule for those two showsbegins April 1. Stay tuned for information about Moon RiverWeekendsthis fall, shows with some very special guest stars. The2013 season ends with Daniel O'Donnell's Showand the AndyWilliams Christmas Show starring the Lennon Sisters and theOsmonds.

Fishing Continued from Page 4

His skill as a juggler was amazing, too.

Later Philip joined magician KirbyVanBurch for the VanBurch & Wellford Show.(Or was it Wellford & VanBurch.) Their showwas very popular and they "played well togeth-er." They’re so good it was easy to forget theskill it takes to accomplish the feats weapplauded. I remember lots of laughs and goodtimes interviewing those two ... they once mademe "disappear" on the radio!

It was in Branson Philip met SusanWunsch; they married in 1997. They worked inPhilip’s own show in 2000 and later literally"saw the world" together, when Philip enter-tained on cruise ships. In his obituary, Susansaid, “Fittingly, Philip left this earth on thenight of the Geminid meteor shower, one morevibrant star in a beautiful, spectacular show.”

Thanks to Sydney Stone for devoting spacefor us to remember Philip. Thanks for the goodtimes, Philip.

WellfordContinued from Page 3

I loved talking with Jim. He was a goodstoryteller and goodness, did he have greatstories! He was passionate about what hebelieved in and animated telling you about it.He had a lot of extraordinary life experiences.I always told him he should write a book.

Jim was 87 when he died December 19,2012. As a young man he was in the USArmy Air Corps, serving as a bomber pilotin WWII, flying the B-24 and the B-29. Formore than two decades Jim owned the JimThomas General Electric Store in Joplin,Mo. His business interests grew and werefar ranging — politics, hotels, theaters. AndJim loved to play — fishing, tennis, beingwith friends. He leaves behind a beautifulfamily including his wonderful wife Joy,eight extraordinary children … and count-less friends and admirers.

Branson owes a lot to Jim Thomas.Thank you, sir, for everything!

Jim ThomasContinued from Page 10


of Kirby’s close-up intimate illusions is tearing a newspaper into pieces thenunfolding it as one piece. Really.

Whether working with paper, string, coins … or making a helicopter appearin three seconds flat … his skill is spellbinding. Kirby has been namedInternational Magician of the Year and has received the Merlin Entertainer of theYear Award more than once. This award is the "Oscar" for magicians.

Famed magician Doug Henning was a friend of Kirby’s and gave him thedramatic Mystery of King Tut illusion. One might think the smaller illusionscould possibly be easier to explain. Like shuffling bottles around on a table —Kirby has a lot of fun with this one. But switching motorcycles, up in the air,from one side of the stage to the other? Making a helicopter appear "out ofnowhere?!" Kirby can’t put motorcycles or helicopters "up his sleeve!"

The Big Cat Tour after the show is well worth your time. It’s remarkable tosee these beautiful creatures up close. They are so regal, yet can be as playful asyour kitty cat.

I always thought I wanted to know, "How’d you do that?!" But maybe it’sbetter just to sit back (or on the edge of my seat!) and enjoy. Some call is illu-sion. I call it magic.

Kirby Continued from Page 5

The Greenhouses are another interesting part of the campus, which you cantour. C of O cares for the renowned McDade Orchid collection and takes someof its prized orchids to competitions each year. The orchids, grown byGreenhouses staff and students, received the highest designation given by theAmerican Orchid Society at the Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis’ AnnualShow February 3, held at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The plants were rec-ognized as superior quality and given numerous national AOS awards. "Thisyear we did very well, and I am so pleased we won so many awards in oneshow," said Nathan Bell, C of O Greenhouses supervisor. C of O will participatein orchid shows at the Greater Kansas City Orchid Show; Fayetteville, AR,Botanical Gardens Show; Springfield, MO, Orchid Society Annual OrchidShow; and the MemphisOrchid Society AnnualShow.

Another highlighton campus is theRalphFoster Museum, recent-ly awarded theRuralMissouri magazine,Readers’ Choice for"Best Museum inMissouri. The RalphFoster Museum, alsoknown as "The Smithsonian of the Ozarks," is a three-story museum dedicatedto Ozarks history and culture. Rural Missouri magazine notes the Museum

houses the BeverlyHillbillies car andalso "one of theMidwest’s finestfirearms collec-tions." Dedicated tothe history of theOzarks region andnamed in honor ofradio pioneer andp h i l a n t h r o p i s tRalph D. Foster, theMuseum housesthousands ofobjects representing

archaeology, history, firearms, antiques, numismatics, natural history, fine arts,geology and mineralogy.

There is so much to see at College of the Ozarks, just off Hwy. 65 a coupleof minutes south of Branson. And be sure dining in Dobyns Dining Hall at TheKeeter Center is part of your time there!

College of the OzarksContinued from Page 6

SHOW/ATTRACTION LOCATION PHONE#1 Hits of the 60’s Caravelle Theatre 417-339-19603 Redneck Tenors New Americana Theatre 417-339-466370’s Music Celebration w/Barry Williams RFD-TV The Theatre 417-332-2282Acrobats of China New Shanghai Theatre 417-336-8888Adventures of Marco Polo White House Theatre 417-335-2396Amazing Pets Grand Country Music Hall 417-335-2484Andy Williams Christmas Show Moon River Theatre 417-334-4500A Neil Diamond Tribute Jim Stafford Theatre 417-335-8080Ayo starring Voices of Glory Hughes Brothers Theatre 417-334-0076Baldknobbers Baldknobbers Family Theatre 417-334-4528Barbara Fairchild Show Golden Corral 417-336-6297Branson Country USA Grand Country Music Hall 417-335-2484Branson Scenic Railway, Inc. Old Downtown Branson 417-334-6110Branson Zipline Canopy Tours Wolfe Creek Station 417-561-2500Brett Family Singers Dick Clark Bandstand 417-336-4222Buck Trent Show RFD-TV the Theatre 417-332-2282Buckets n’ Boards Clay Cooper Theatre 417-337-7123Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Butterfly Palace 417-332-2231Cassandre’ The Voice of An Angel New Americana Theatre 417-339-4663Cat’s Pajamas Vocal Band Moon River Theatre 417-334-4500Christmas in Hollywood King’s Castle Theatre 417-334-2500Christmas on the Trail The Shepherd of the Hills 417-334-4191Cirque Montage Starlite Theatre 417-337-9333Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express Clay Cooper Theatre 417-337-7123Comedy Jamboree Grand Country Music Hall 417-335-2484Dancing Queen ABBA’s Greatest Hits King’s Castle Theatre 417-334-2500Daniel O’Donnell Moon River Theatre 417-334-4500Dinner with Yakov Yakov Smirnoff Theatre 800-728-4546Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction Dixie Stampede 417-336-3000Doug Gabriel's #1 Hits Tribute Show Doug Gabriel Theatre 800-954-8554Down Home Country Grand Country Music Hall 417-335-2484Dutton Family Show Dutton Family Theater 417-332-2772George Dyer Show Dutton Family Theater 417-332-2772Grand Jubilee Grand Country Music Hall 417-335-2484Hamner Barber Variety Show Hamner Barber Theatre 417-334-4363Haygoods RFD-TV the Theatre 417-332-2282Hollywood Wax Museum Hollywood Ent. Complex 417-337-8277Hooray for Hollywood King’s Castle Theatre 417-334-2500Hughes Brothers Christmas Show Hughes Brothers Theatre 417-334-0076IMAX Entertainment Complex IMAX Entertainment Complex 417-335-3533Inspiration Tower The Shepherd of the Hills 417-334-4191it ... small word, big show Hughes Brothers Theatre 417-334-0076Jeerk RFD-TV The Theatre 417-332-2282Jim Stafford Show Jim Stafford Theatre 417-335-8080Joey Riley Show Music City Centre 800-954-8554Joseph Sight & Sound Theatre 800-377-1277Joseph Hall Elvis Rock n Remember Tribute New Americana Theatre 417-339-4663Kenny Rogers presents the Toy Shoppe Starlite Theatre 417-337-9333Kirby VanBurch Show Kirby VanBurch Theatre 417-544-9075Larry's Country Diner Starlite Theatre 417-337-9333

SHOW/ATTRACTION LOCATION PHONELarry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers Oak Ridge Boys Theatre 417-335-2000 Legends in Concert Dick Clark Bandstand 417-339-3003Lennon Sisters Moon River Theatre 417-334-4500Little Opry Theatre IMAX Entertainment Complex 417-335-3533Liverpool Legends - Beatles Tribute Moon River Theatre 417-334-4500Mel Tillis Show Clay Cooper Theatre 417-337-7123Mickey Gilley Show Mickey Gilley Theatre 417-334-3210New Jersey Nights King’s Castle Theatre 417-334-2500New South Gospel Grand Country Music Hall 417-335-2484Oak Ridge Boys Oak Ridge Boys Theatre 417-335-2000Oh! What a Night Moon River Theatre 417-334-4500Osmonds Moon River Theatre 417-334-4500Ozark Mountain Jubilee Grand Country Music Hall 417-335-2484Paul Harris & the Cleverlys White House Theatre 417-335-2396Parakeet Pete’s Waterfront Zipline Branson Landing 417-561-2500Pierce Arrow Pierce Arrow Theatre 417-336-8742Presleys’ Country Jubilee Presleys’ Theatre 417-334-4874Price is Right LIVE Welk Resort Theatre 417-337-7469Pure Country Joey I.L.O Jim Stafford Theatre 417-335-8080Ralph Foster Museum College of the Ozarks 417-690-3407Rankin Brothers Clay Cooper Theatre 417-337-7123Red Hot & Blue Clay Cooper Theatre 417-337-7123RED - Skelton Tribute Hamner Barber Theatre 417-334-4363Reelin in the Years Starring John Tweed New Americana Theatre 417-339-4663Ride the Ducks Ride the Ducks 417-334-3825Ripley’s Believe It or Not Ripley’s Museum 417-337-5300Roy Rogers Jr. Show RFD-TV The Theatre 417-332-2282Shepherd of the Hills The Shepherd of the Hills 417-334-4191Historic Homestead TourShepherd of the Hills Old Mill The Shepherd of the Hills 417-334-4191Theatre Outdoor DramaShepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights The Shepherd of the Hills 417-334-4191Shoji Tabuchi Show Shoji Tabuchi Theatre 417-334-7469Showboat Branson Belle White River Landing 417-338-8174Silver Dollar City Silver Dollar City 417-336-7180SIX Mickey Gilley Theatre 417-334-3210Sons of the Pioneers Dinner Show Pavilion - Shepherd of the Hills 417-334-4191Sunday Gospel Jubilee Grand Country Music Hall 417-335-2484Texas Tenors Starlite Theatre 417-337-9333Titanic Museum Attraction Titanic Museum Attraction 417-334-9500Todd Oliver & His Talking Dogs New Americana Theatre 417-339-4663Tony Roi's Elvis and More Jim Stafford Theatre 417-335-8080Twelve Irish Tenors King’s Castle Theatre 417-334-2500Veterans Memorial Museum Veterans Memorial Museum 417-336-2300Vigilante Extreme ZipRider The Shepherd of the Hills 417-334-4191White Water White Water 417-339-6806World Famous Platter Review Kirby VanBurch Theatre 417-544-9075World’s Largest Toy Museum World’s Largest Toy Museum 417-332-1499


. Show & Attraction Guide .


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hickory-smoked pork loin, tender whole rotisserie chicken, homemade(yummy!) buttermilk biscuits, corn on the cob and a flaky apple turnover for

dessert. The hard-working wait staff ispart of the fun as they help cheer theirside on to victory in the contests that go

on in the huge 35,000 sq. ft. arena.

Thirty-two amazing horsesare part of the talented cast thatbrings the entire show to life.From fast and furious to lightand elegant, the show is remark-able. There are Appaloosas,

Belgian draft horses, quarter hors-es, paints, even horses schooled in

"airs above the ground." Barrel racing, a Roman rider jumping through a ring offire, Southern bells in all their finery, a horse-drawn trolley, pig races … suchthrills!

Plan to arrive an hour or so before showtime to enjoy the Horse Walk. Thehorses are beautiful and exquisitely groomed, their stalls handsome, roomy andwell designed. And you’ll enjoy the entertaining pre-show in The CarriageRoom, too. From beginning to end, you’ll enjoy the Dixie Stampede experi-ence!

Dixie Stampede Continued from Page 7

This summer "kids of all ages" can experience the whimsical world of theEuropean circus with Cirque Montage. Before the show begins, some of theintriguing characters interact with the audience. Mime-like, they enchant every-one. Beautiful "Raven," with her shimmering feathered headdress and ruffledtail, is charming andclever. "Venice" issweet and comical,while "Ringmaster"seems a bit stern. Butthen he invites us to"fly over Paris andwalk the streets ofItaly" … with CirqueMontage!

The cast is amaz-ingly talented and performs a myriad of acts that include juggling, aerial chif-fon, marvelous other ‘airs above the ground’that dazzle the audience. Thisyear’s show features a new fire act and an inspired unicycle segment. Theincredible talent, the innovative and artfully applied makeup, and brilliant, spec-tacular costumes of every hue and every shimmery, shiny, feathery fabric — allhelp make Cirque Montage a visual feast.

Wonderful theater, wonderful shows … The Starlite Theatre!

Starlite Continued from Page 8

and do you remember they did the title track for the movie Grease, releasedtwice in 1978?

On February 29, 2012, the "leap day" tornado that whirled through Bransonwreaked extensive damage on Branson Variety Theater. So much damage theentire theater has been renovated, restored, rebuilt, redecorated … and renamed.You’ll notice the most difference on the exterior, which now looks like … a cas-tle.

Your other favorite shows there are back, of course …

The Twelve Irish Tenors … If you’ve seen them, I know you’ll want to seethe show again. I always do! These clever, handsome lads are so talented,

extremely person-able and possess acharming stage pres-ence. From Irishclassics to FrankSinatra, GlennMiller, the Beatles… from opera topop, it’s music foreveryone. The stag-ing is excellent, too,and the show moveswell. Jay shows offsome fancy foot-work … and a new

hairdo! Stay tuned; in our July August issue, we’ll go backstage with TheTwelve Irish Tenors.

Hooray for Hollywood is a dazzling journey through 50 years of Hollywoodmusicals. Thinkof Singing in theRain, West SideStory, MaryPoppins, Grease,Dirty Dancing,newer smash hitslike Titanic,Hairspray, andFame. Exquisitecostumes andchoreography, tal-ented singers anddancers bringback the glitz andglamour! Myfavorite Calvin &Hobbes cartoon ends with this philosophical comment on life, "We need morespecial effects and dance numbers." Good idea.

Kings Castle Continued from Page 9


Cleverlys Continued from Page 14

The "Cleverlys" really are some of the finest musi-cians anywhere. Their bluegrass "covers" of artists likeBlack Eyed Peas and The Bangles delight audiences.The real names of Paul Harris and the Cleverly Trio arenot revealed. I’m assuming that’s because the nameshave been changed to protect the innocent. (And/orsomeone is in the witness protection program.)

To go along with this down-home, back-to-the-basics show is a basic, down-home lunch or dinneravailable, if you enjoy the convenience of not having tomake another stop between dining and show, or showand dining. Your meal — salad with ranch dressing;chicken fried steak; mashed potatoes w/gravy; greenbeans and a roll. Dessert is warm bread pudding. I sure-ly think that’s a meal that Digger, Miles, Vernon Dean,Harvey D and Otto would enjoy.

The White House Theatre this year is also hometo The Adventures of Marco Polo. The heartwarmingstory will entertain and inspire all ages. A brilliant showin the style of Cirque de Soleil!


Church DirectoryAssembly of God

First Assembly of God600West Main, Branson

417-334-3803

BaptistFirst Baptist Church

400 South Sunshine, Branson417-334-7437

Calvary Baptist Church625 Truman Dr., Branson

417-336-3475

Skyline Baptist Church949 State Hwy. 165, Branson

417-334-6729

Bible ChurchBranson Bible Church

533 Branson Landing Blvd., Branson417-334-3678

Fellowship at Cross CreekT Hwy. - T-10, Branson

417-335-8008

CatholicOur Lady of the LakeVaughn Dr., Branson

417-334-3350

ChristianBranson Christian Church

213 S. Commercial, Branson417-334-3453

Church of ChristChurch of Christ

432 Eagle Rock Road, Branson417-239-1036

Church of GodChurch of the Apostolic Faith

100 East Main, Branson

Church of Jesus Christof Latter Day Saints

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day SaintsChurch Road, Branson

EpiscopalShepherd of the Hills Episcopal

107Walnut, Branson417-334-3968

FoursquareBranson Foursquare Church2287 Fall Creek Rd., Branson

417-339-5911

Full GospelRiver of Life, Church Alive!

1307 Bird Rd., Branson417-334-8287

Jehovah’sWitnessesKingdom Hall of Jehovah’sWitnesses

Hwy. 65-70, Branson417-334-5507

LutheranFaith Lutheran

Parnell & Malone St., Branson417-334-2469

Peace Lutheran Church ELCA350 State Dr.,Hollister

417-334-1499

MethodistUnited Methodist

1208W.Hwy. 76, Branson417-334-3423

Non-DenominationalSalvation Army Church

1819W.Hwy. 76,Branson

417-339-4434

Unity of the Hills4868 Hwy. 248, Branson

417-334-6224

PentecostalOld Branson Pentecostal600West Main, Branson

417-334-3803

PresbyterianFirst Presbyterian

420West Main, Branson417-334-3468

Spirit FilledFaith Center

8537 State Hwy. 76, Branson West417-338-8537

All VisitorsWelcome ~ Call for Service Times

Shepherd of the Hills Gazette | Spring 2013

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Transcript of Shepherd of the Hills Gazette | Spring 2013