They call themselves the Branson Believers and thier rituals involve more than a secret handshake. They follow underground stream of extroadinary force and bring them to the mainstream to be honored in a very public manner.
There are those people who you come in contact and leave changed. They're unprompted, unscripted and for the most part publically unidentified for what they unconsciously emit. This secret society holds a dinner once a year where 4 individuals are seduced into coming to Big Cedar Lodge for a fine meal unaware of the honor they are to recieve.
Personally, I've been affected, altered and inspired by three of the five individuals ...my life and many others forever changed by our chance encounters.
The fifth invidual was a special category created becuase of the extraordinary achievements of Shawn Hawkins who we wrote about nine months ago. The young videographer has a story which I'm sure you'll be hearing about in our regional and local publications over the next few weeks. I'm going to hold on his story as to not steal these writers thunder though the lightning is mine and taken long ago. Needless to say Shawn didn't need me nor what I promised him. The five honored were...
Bob Simmons, Owner of Table Rock Asphalt
Branson High School football coach Steve Hancock
Daphne Marshall who organizes fundraisers for K-Life
Lucy Epperson, who volunteers at the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Dean Dickens who volunteers for Skaggs and many other support groups.
Shawn Hawkins, The Ripple Effect
