But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. – Joshua 24:15
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PAGE 2: Big Cedar employee celebrates retirement...at age 97!
PAGE 28: Forsyth Band prepares for new school year, new director
SEE NEWS BRIEFS Starting on page 20
YOUR WEEKEND WEATHER:
Page 41 – More hot weather – be sure to stay hydrated!
August 12, 2022 • Vol. 3, Issue 32
First Baptist Church back-toschool bash offers fun for all By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer First Baptist Church offered area residents a fun way to celebrate the end of summer with their annual back-to-school bash. Held at Branson’s RecPlex, the 16th annual back-to-school bash offered a fun-filled evening for area families, while giving them a hand-up on getting the kids ready for a new school year. The funfilled family event provided each child with a backpack, filled with school supplies. Families also enjoyed swimming in the city’s AquaPlex, inflatables, hotdogs, popsicles, games, music and more. New this year was a climbing wall, a favorite with kids and adults alike! A professional motorcycle and BMX stunt show entertained the
crowds. Families were given laundry detergent to offset the higher costs of keeping clothes clean, and, most importantly, First Baptist Church staff and volunteers were on hand to pray for and with each family in attendance. Approximately 2,700 people attended the event, the most in recent years, according to Terry Brown, Associate Pastor of Community Ministries at First Baptist Church. “We served 2,550 hot dogs, gave away 2,250 popsicles and gave away 1,400 sets of backpacks and school supplies,” noted Brown. When asked why the church continues to offer this and other outreaches, Brown explained, “My favorite thing is smiles on SEE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH, PAGE 38
The inflatables were popular with all of the kids at FBC’s back-to-school bash. (Photo by K.D. Michaels)
Mel Tillis Day celebrated to honor memory of music legend By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer Branson celebrated the latest in a series of special days honoring the entertainment legends who put our town on the map.
Monday, August 8, was declared Mel Tillis Statesiders Day, honoring the late musical icon who made Branson his home for many years. Tillis, a nationally
known recording artist and member of the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame, was a Branson favorite. Following a hugely successful career as a re-
cording artist that spawned dozens of top-ten hits, Tillis built a theater in Branson, where he entertained thousands of people each night. SEE MEL TILLIS DAY, PAGE 38