The Branson Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau recently held a major event at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater to announce their 10 year plan for the city of Branson. 

Madge Bennett and Nelly Clark, they brought back some memories. These two old ladies just popped into my head the other day. I don’t know why, but I’m thankful to them for staying with my memories of Branson, where I was trying to grow up in the 1940’s and 50’s.

“Why didn’t you print anything about this?”

There are subjects I was taught as a child not to discuss, feelings I was taught to push aside, and things done to me which I was told not to focus on. 

Gale Wade: A stubborn, determined, Ozarks born know-it-all, and one of the nicest people I ever had the pleasure of talking to.

The Ozarks is my favorite place in the world. It’s where I live and what I know. It’s where my family planted its roots many, many years ago. This is a brief account of the Hazell family of Branson; one whose way of life is likely relatable to many generational families from the area.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, when mental health advocates and organizations try to have the uncomfortable conversations most people want to avoid about mental health, serious struggles, and suicide.

‘I Read Banned Books’ reads a popular t-shirt and other merchandise. 

I don’t know if it’s my family’s German heritage, or just the East Coast culture, or we just really have traditionally had poor interpersonal communication, but it was not common for men in my family to share their feelings or thoughts. We always had the stoic kind of mindset where you didn’…

The annual Rock The Spectrum concert, to benefit a local charity aimed at making Branson more “inclusive” for the families of children with autism and other special needs, is taking place Saturday, Sept. 17, at Branson Landing. 

There are sayings we’ve heard so many times it almost goes through our brains without being processed by whatever remaining brain cells are rattling around in our skulls.

The pop trio Echosmith had a song on their last album called “Lonely Generation.” The song talked about the way our current youngest generation spends so much time on their phones, iPads, computers, and other electronic devices most of their relationships are electronic.

If you knew for little over a dime a day you could open up an opportunity for you to get away and find some peace from skyrocketing food and gas prices, endless political shouting, and the increasing stress of our daily lives, would you be interested in it?

Always read the fine print.

The last thing I expected when I made a quick trip to Springfield to see the opening of a friend’s photography show was to find a time machine.

Longtime readers of this fine publication know we are dedicated to serving Taney and Stone counties and strive to bring you the important events of our area. However, on the rare times we are actually off-the-clock (because, let’s face it, news never really sleeps) Tim and AJ and I have hobb…

A night with the Taney County Sheriff’s Office showed a department with deputies who are dedicated to their community; who strive to keep the community safe; and who also know the importance of keeping a spare uniform in the office.

I was sitting along Table Rock Lake this weekend working on a few stories for today’s edition of the paper when I saw something pop up in my Facebook timeline feed which grabbed my attention.

Readers might have noticed something different in the last two editions of the paper. They might notice a new byline. 

If you’re reading this column on the date of publication for this edition of the Branson Tri-Lakes News, then it’s exactly one year since my mother was able to ask Jesus face-to-face about what He was thinking when he created a platypus.

On the list of places you want to spend your Easter morning, Room 521 at Cox Medical Center Branson is not one which would rank high.

Local nerds and comic fans are in mourning after a loss struck our community. 

Being completely honest with you, my morning ritual has not changed much in years. I wake up and try to get off the bed without waking up the cat. I obtain some level of equilibrium and stumble toward the bathroom. Look at my reflection in the mirror. Wonder who the old man is looking back at me.

I care about what is going on in the community. I just don’t know everything. 

Last August, I wrote a little piece about two gentlemen I was spying on while they were having a smoke outside of the King’s Castle Theatre. They were debating an entertainer who performed a little further west on the strip, with one man adamant the performer was “famous” and the other dismi…

I can not believe it has been a whole year since I began my journey here at the Branson Tri-Lakes News. 

There are times in all of our lives where a stand needs to be taken which will cost us business, or friendships, or credibility in the marketplace of ideas. When you’re in politics, all of this comes into play with an additional idea of “political capital,” which you can wield as needed to p…

 Parenting is not an easy job, and yes it is a job. It often comes with struggles to relate to your children without being caught in the ‘parent’ trap... and no, not the 1961 Hayley Mills classic or the 1998 Lindsay Lohan remake, which to be honest wasn’t bad, but give me the classic anyday. 

Many of you were probably up late ringing in the New Year last night. Go ahead and put on some coffee, I can wait.

Branson Tri-Lakes News Entertainment Editor Tim Church and I were sitting in the office talking about this Christmas edition of the paper you’re now reading and I asked him what I thought was a simple question.

You’ve almost gotten through it.

(This is the second in a series of columns giving you some behind the scenes info on journalism from the Branson Tri-Lakes News.)

One of the problems with moving to a new area is your “go to” places for food at your old home base are gone, and it can take years to find a place which is in the same ballpark. You know those things: the food items which provide comfort, or help you get off to a good mental start, and if y…

There is a real challenge when you start talking about any kind of gun related issue; people get entrenched in their views on the Second Amendment and allow it to color anything else which might be remotely related to guns. They’ll seek to see actions taken which may not be connected anywher…

It was the third Eli hiding place we found on packing day.

BRANSON POLICE DEPARTMENT UNDERCOVER AUDIO RECORDING TRANSCRIPT, 1 NOV 21.

You’re reading this column some time after Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, but I’m writing it on Wednesday of the same week. Today marks six months since my mother died and despite the best efforts of friends, family, and professionals, I’m still nowhere near being over the loss of mom.

By the time you read this, the title of “sports editor” will no longer apply to me. My heart aches as I type this. Monday, Oct. 25, was my last day with the Branson Tri-Lakes News.

The sun is setting earlier, the wind is chillier, the rain is more consistent, and yet, I still can’t wrap my brain around the fact that we aren’t even 10 days separated from November.

Our family has an official, mental health professional prescribed Emotional Support Cat.