Titanic Ice Sculpture Contest - Branson Missouri

(Above: Collage Fused)
When life gives you ice storms make ice sculptures. While our neighbors to the north faced power outages from ice storms 300 lb. blocks were being shipped to the parking lot of the Titanic Museum in Branson, Missouri.
The National Ice Carving Association (NICA) held their first professionally sanctioned Branson event in this weekend at the Titanic Museum. Contestants had five hours to create an artistic ice sculpture relating to the Titanic. The themed event was unusual as most NICA events are in freestyle form giving artists the ability to create whatever they feel comfortable with.
Judges scored contestants on 11 attributes from first impression to structure technique. All three judges participate in events as well giving them a solid understanding of the complexity and skill level each piece requires to produce.
The overall winner was John Flottman from Oklahoma City. His piece titled “Titanic Collaged” featured Time Magazine and newspaper headlines below a carving of the Titanic itself. The video at the top of this post shows how the two blocks were fused together.
Taking a chance is part of the game. A difficult piece can be a risky endeavor. The two video clips below illustrate the concept Alex Moore was attempting to piece together.
Unfortunately, Alex was unable to fuse the captain’s wheel to the post. After a second attempt to weld the two pieces together Alex dropped the Wheel losing what would have most likely been the top placement. The two clips below show Alex at the halfway point and Alex attempting to place the wheel on the base.

Titanic Ice Sculpture Contest Click Here To View Photos

Kirby Van Burch Auction Disappears.

A representative from Carol Jones almost witnessed the event but was wandering around the courthouse trying to confirm the wisdom of a local reporter. There are those that seek but never find (our readers excluded).
Kirby, who has the reputation for being "overly cautious" ....ok...downright paranoid...had the original title ammended in October to include a 10,000 dollar a week fee for his services. In addition, transfer of the Magical Palace, was to be transferred to Bambi Productions, Kirby's wife,in the event "something happened to Wirestreams". It's ok to be paranoid if someone's out to get you or if someone's trying to destroy your business partner.

"Stuff" Happens At Branson Area Courthouse - No one reports

Judge Orr made his second appearance yesterday at the Taney County courthouse. The 31st Circuit has yet to post local court rules yet no changes are expected (Associate Judges have made no requests for changes in the rules). After an incident with a local reporter - ....let me stop here.
There are no reporters at the Taney County Courthouse. I neither confirm or deny that a judge criticized a KY3 reporter for a false report regarding sentencing in a case last week. "We're not allowed to defend ourselves", might have been said by the judge who by law is not allowed to defend himself. In a possibly related conversation Presiding Judge Orr was asked, "What can the media do?". A judge most definetly stated, "be here to understand what's really going on". Neither the Springfield News-leader nor KY3 was there to hear the comment or report on action taken on several murder trials and will most likely wait for a press release to report on court activity....
When a public official or office decides it's time to tell the public something it will be blindly regurgitated for consumption. I would like to publicly apologize for the regional media outlets failure to make an effort to "report news" and thank them for making sure I know what Paris Hilton is wearing and the relationship status of Britney Spears.
A media coordinator who doesn't know the color of the rug at the Taney County Courthouse will most likely be assigned next week. In support of my comrades and to ensure the national trend continues this post will not contain what was actually witnessed.
I've been assigned to cover a murder trial next week at the Christian County Courthouse. All the media outlets will be there. I'm sure of it...press releases will be issued at 11.

Kansas City Chooses Branson Missouri's Jolie Justus for Senate Seat

Jolie Being Sworn in By Father Judge James Justus
Jolie notes “3 hours with a Branson Independent Reporter” as a memory of her first week in the Missouri Senate. Jolie was interviewed several times. Our first conversation occurred a day after she took her oath of office at the capitol. A second interview was conducted while she was on a train ride from Jefferson City to Kansas City and generously grandted an hour long interview over the weekend. I’ve spent many hours between interviews contemplating her story.
You can read the story in the Branson Independent tomorrow, next week in the Taney County Times and if you were listening to Branson Hometown Daily News you’ve already heard a piece on the local radio stations KZRK and KOMC.
The “sensational” piece was an easy write. The politics of Jolie’s sexual orientation provided material enough for the front page of the paper. Political factions were eager to share perspective, dialogue and even criticism of the status quo. Locally, many remember Jolie and her “husband”, who was the best friend she loved and married. He lobbied for her win and was touted by Jolie as her number one supporter helping her pave the way to Jefferson City where she holds Missouri’s Senate’s District 10 seat. Today, Jolie has a “domestic partner” and tomorrow …who knows. I don’t want to paint Jolie as wishy washy because such a statement couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact is Jolie is a person true to her convictions and though 76 percent of us living in Branson believe these convictions to be false (liberal politics) Jolie no longer lives here. The gay lobby, Jolie points out, is sought after by political hopefulls at every level of Kansas City's government. Although I didn’t want to focus on this portion of Jolie’s personal life, a major component of her public persona, it seemed too great a compromise of journalistic integrity to leave this part out.
Sexual orientation isn’t something people in Branson tend to wear on their sleeves. There is a strong religious vain in Branson providing a pillar of our social construct, but, we’re not on a public witch hunt either. Public condemnation is not our sport of choice nor is blindly following the trends of our nation.
She brings hope to many people that struggle in the early parts of their lives; spent her high school years restricted for not reaching the highest marks in school and is testimony that “not reaching your potential” doesn’t mean won’t. Jolie eventually graduated in the top 10 percent of her Law School’s graduating class.
She’s hasn’t forgotten where she’s from and promises to remember us while she serves in Jefferson City. Jolie is Branson’s daughter and Kansas City couldn’t have picked a better place to choose a leader.
(I blame the honorable James Justus for the hours of research I spent on Jolie as he repeatedly uses the bench to discuss her achievements whenever the opportunity arises. Judge Justus proudly announced he was assigned to swear Jolie in as state senator; his first statement after being sworn in himself at the Taney County Courthouse.)

Branson Area Firefighter Responds to Fire At His Own House

Exclusive ....Breaking (Photo By Darin Codon Courtesy of KRZK)
Lieutenant Jason Sandvos a volunteer firefighter for the The Southern Stone County Fire Protection District responded to a report of a house catching on fire this afternoon. The house happened to be his own. As a first reponder Jason helped contain the blaze that totaled the mobile home. Becuase of the close proximity to the fire station Sandbos the fire was contained quickly and some of his personal belongings, ie clothes were recovered. A devastated Sandvos fell to his knees in shock after the fire was put out.
A fellow firefighter offered Sandvos a place to stay while arrangements could be made. A fund for Jason has already been established. Donations are currently being accepted at Ozark Mountain Bank and can be deposited in the firefighter's name. A benefit "luncheon" is currently been planed as well. A press release will be issued later this evening.
The report will include the fact that the fire began with a malfuntioning common cell phone charger left plugged into an outlet.

**Correction: Sandvos was working a day shift; which is paid. Sandvos volunteers in addition to his regular daytime duties.
***
Volunteer firefighters go through the same certification as their paid co-workers. Firefighter 1 certification involves 4 months of training a practical and written evaluation. They put thier lives on the line when someone is having the worst day of their lives. Let's help him with his.

Branson New Years Review & Photos

Branson's New Year began with a bang. We traveled to various venues around Branson town shooting photos which were published this morning in the Branson Daily Independent. Venues captured include the 500 dollar a seat celebration at Chateau on the Lake, Grand Country, White House Theatre, Outback Pub, Tsunami's, Shake It Up Show Club, Jim Stafford and the Titanic Museum.
The clubs were crowded as expected and the chill in the air left the Titanic Museum with a moderate turnout and wins the award for the most innovative, providing a great addition to the Branson New Year's Tradition. Usually, visitors to the museum are randomly distributed a boarding pass with a name of a passenger which may have been a 3rd, 2nd or 1st Class Passenger. On New Year's Eve only first class boarding passes were issues. In addition entry fees were waived, glowing necklaces issued and all visitors were given a commemorative coin. As the countdown to the New Year ensued a lighting rod was lit and rockets launched at the stroke of midnight (Seen Above).

Branson West - Stone County's First Recorder

Stone County has its first Recorder. Amy Jo Larson was officially sworn in at the Stone County Courthouse last friday after which she occupied the office where she complimented staff (seen above) who she's been learning from. November's election marked the first time Stone County resident's were able to vote for the position.