Welcome to the 2008 Feast of Tabernacles in Branson, Missouri. A Church of God Ministry will be joining Big Sandy Church of God for the Feast.   The Ozarks has a natural millennial beauty theme. For eight days we will be gathering as family to worship the great Creator God, and to experience a foretaste of the Wonderful World Tomorrow, a time when all the world will be at peace. As we rejoice together, let’s remember our calling and the main purpose we attend the Feast.   We hope you will thoroughly enjoy the Feast and that you will be strengthened Spiritually by the sermons and fellowship. As we come together as family renewing old friendships and making new ones we will be rejoicing in our fellowship with our God and with our Elder Brother Jesus Christ.

Feast Information Coordinators: Neil and Martha McIver, 903-714-8800 Services will be held at the Thousand Hills Golf and Conference Center (same hall used for the past three years). 245 S. Wildwood. Branson, MO 65616. 800-697-9472. 417-334-6170 For reservations, contact establishment directly. Identify yourself with the Church of God Big Sandy, Texas.     Speaking Schedule TBA     Housing Information   Thousand Hills Golf and Conference Center: The address is 245 South Wildwood, Branson, MO 65616 Phone: 800-697-9472, 417-334-6170 Make reservations by calling resort directly. Identify yourself with the Church of God Big Sandy. By staying at this resort, as opposed to another hotel, the rental fee for the meeting hall is reduced. Housing rates: Queen Suites: $76.00  per night King Suites: $98.00 per night 2 Bedroom Condo: $130.00 per night 3 Bedroom Condo: $174.00 per night

TRAFFIC IN BRANSON   Branson is a wonderful area for family time, but if you find yourself at the wrong place at the wrong time, it can be frustrating.  Most of the traffic congestion is located on  Highway 76.  To avoid much of this congestion, take the roads that parallel Hwy. 76 (Green Mountain Drive on the south, and Roark Valley, Gretna, or Shepherd of the Hills Expressway on the north).  You can then cut through to Hwy. 76 near your destination.    Travel on Hwy. 76 in the early afternoon, or from 5:30—7:30 p.m. is usually a bad idea.  Dinner in the evenings is usually less crowded before 5:00 p.m. or after 7:00 p.m.  Reservations are advised at some of the nicer restaurants.

HIKING TRAILS       Fall is a beautiful time to walk through the woods in the Ozarks.  Several hiking trails ranging from short easy trails to long more difficult trails are available.  The Paul and Ruth Henning State Forest, on Hwy 76, just west of the "strip" with trails from about 1/2 mile to 1.6 miles in length, gives a good view of the diversity of the Ozarks.   Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hatchery offers several nature trails, ranging from 1/2 to over two miles.  Some meander along Lake Taneycomo, while others go through the Ozark hills and woods.  Table Rock State Park has trails and paved roads, which lead to picnic areas and the lake for family enjoyment.  14 miles north of Branson on Hwy 65, Busiek State Forest has trails ranging from 1/2 mile to several miles in length.  Hercules Glades Wilderness Area, in the Mark Twain National Forest, is about 40 miles from Branson.  This is a rugged area, and hiking trails, while well worn, are unmarked. A close-by hiking trail is located on Fall Creek Road just south of the junction of Hwy. 76 near the east end of the “strip”.  Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area is a beautiful area which runs down to Lake Taneycomo.  It is easily accessible and has a parking lot at the entrance to the area.

FREE AND ALMOST FREE THINGS TO DO   COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS   This unique campus houses several interesting sites.  Edwards Mill is a working water-powered stone mill in which students grind whole grain flour and meal (for sale at the mill along with baked goods).  Friendship House houses a restaurant serving three meals per day, prepared by students, and also a gift shop.   Ralph Foster Museum, $4.50 for adults, Seniors $3.50 under 18 free, is dedicated to the history of the Ozarks region and houses many fascinating artifacts, including the original Beverly Hillbillies car.

DEWEY SHORT VISITOR CENTER   Features nature exhibit rooms and free interpretive films about Table Rock Dam.  Tours of the powerhouse and dam are offered, cost is $2 per person.  Outside the center several trails wonder through the woods and a number of benches sit in the shade of large trees.

ROARING RIVER STATE PARK   This park, about 30 miles west of Branson offers many scenic areas.  Roaring River Spring has a daily flow of 20.5 million gallons of water.  Situated in beautiful, rugged terrain, the park features a nature center, trout fishing stream, numerous hiking trails, and a lodge and restaurant.

SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS TROUT HATCHERY   Thousands of trout from fingerlings to "lunkers" fill the hatchery, which produces 1 million trout each year to supply area lakes and streams. Visitors can view and feed the fish by walking along the stock pools.  Guided tours, video program, and nature trails are also available.  Small children love it!  417-334-4865

STONE HILL WINERY   During the free hour winery tour you'll discover how wines are made, prohibition winemaking folklore, plus more fun and surprises.  The winery bottler gives everyone an inside look at Stone Hill's heritage of winemaking excellence.  417-334-1897

BASS PRO SHOPS—in Springfield           Don't be deceived by the name.  It’s really a museum within the largest sporting goods store you have ever seen!  Includes a four story natural stone waterfall, 140,000 gal. aquarium system with hundreds of game fish.  View fish feeding in the huge aquarium from the underwater auditorium.  See a 30,000 gal. saltwater aquarium, dozens of  "stuffed" animals in natural settings, and the world's largest sporting goods store.             Branson now has a Bass Pro Shop although not as large it’s a great place to visit.   BRANSON LANDING  a great place to explore shops!

A Church of God Ministry, Springfield, Missouri, USA  This site was last updated on August 1, 2008

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