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Hey Branson, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A new ambulance station, a Harley Owners Group rally, and a Dungeon Master workshop + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Branson protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Emergency response gets upgrade: Stone County’s new ambulance station opened March 2 to serve Branson West and Kimberling City, promising faster response times and better countywide coverage after nearly a year of construction — read the full story.

Branson set for big weekend: Branson’s Board of Aldermen approved a resolution supporting a September motorcycle rally organized by Full Throttle Distillery and the Harley Davidson Owners Group, reviving an event paused by the pandemic — read the full story.

Crab legs and Cajun spice: Flat Creek Restaurant in Cape Fair is a hidden lakeside spot near Table Rock Lake serving big burgers and Ozark comfort, plus a hearty seafood platter and lake views — read the full story.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Experience Gaither Vocal Band live in concert
• Spring playdate with coffee, snacks, bikes
• Watch thousands of student archers compete

🫶 We got your back

Legendary lunch upgrade: When the midday slump hits, Mythical ‘Wich turns it into a mini-quest with stacked sandwiches and creative combos like spicy Firebird Chicken or the cheeky Legendary Status, plus a vibe that makes lunch actually fun. Perfect for a quick, tasty reset between errands or school pickups.

Quick trail escape: Need oxygen and a stair climber? Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area serves up shaded trails, long stone steps dropping to Lake Taneycomo, plus a tucked-away waterfall and cave. It’s an easy pre-dinner detour and a sanity reset that feels miles from the Strip.

Relive your Saturday mornings: Back in Time Toys is a cozy trove of retro board games, pedal cars, and kid-approved classics that spark instant nostalgia. Perfect for a mood lift or a birthday idea that skips the batteries, leaning on imagination and a bit of cleared floor.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🩺 Diabetic Myth-Busters Seminar @ Healing Arts Center | Tuesday (3/10) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’ve been counting carbs since pagers were cool, or you’re 45-plus with an A1C wake-up call, Dr. Matthew Sams is unpacking the heart-diabetes connection at a free seminar. Expect practical strategies, a Q&A, just 23 seats, at Healing Arts Center beside Savannah House Hotel.

🛍 Food & Craft Market @ Vintage Paris Coffee (Hollister) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats a Saturday stroll through a year-round market, especially when the Ozarks deliver fresh bread smells, home-canned pickles, and neighborly gossip. Grab jams, jellies, and handmade crafts from folks you actually know, then pretend you came for just one loaf. Weather permitting.

🎓 Learn to be a Dungeon Master Workshop @ The Branson Dragon Game Store | Saturday (3/14) at 3:00 PM – Whether you’ve rolled dice since the Nixon era, or you think a d20 is a retirement plan, this free workshop at The Branson Dragon teaches you to DM a one-shot or a campaign. Light snacks, real tips, and zero gatekeeping.

🎲 March D&D One Shot Adventure @ The Branson Dragon Game Store | Thursday (3/19) at 7:00 PM – Swap spreadsheets for spell slots at Branson Dragon Game Store’s third Thursday D&D one-shot. Pick up a level 8 hero, tackle town quests, spooky thrillers, or military support shenanigans, then be home by bedtime. Free to join, space is limited, bragging rights encouraged.

🎨 Artist Workshop & Open Studio @ SMAC Art Center (Hollister) | Friday (3/20) at 3:00 PM – Finn Erickson is hosting a free artist workshop and open studio for anyone wanting feedback without the gallery side-eye. All mediums, all levels, and ages 16+ welcome. Bring a piece and your supplies, make progress together, no egos, then drop in or register at smac-art.org.

🌷 April Showers Bring May Flowers Gardening Program @ Library Center of the Ozarks | Tuesday (3/24) at 10:30 AM – Take a break from staring at the rain and come learn what it’s doing for your garden. Missouri Master Gardener Mary O’Brien shares practical tips, seasonal insights, and the secret behind those May blooms, plus springtime cheer. Free, and your plants will thank you.

🎨 Arts and Crafts Night @ Faith Lutheran School | Wednesday (3/25) at 3:00 PM – Afternoon at Faith Lutheran means glue sticks, curious kids, and a low-pressure peek at classrooms and teachers. The littles craft and snack while parents talk enrollment and programs, meet church and school folks, invite a neighbor, RSVP, and call it quality time.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Branson report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 82°F – Low: 56°F – Precip: 25%

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 82, with temperatures falling to around 80 in the afternoon. South wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 56, with temperatures rising to around 61 overnight. South wind 7 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 65°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 97%

Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. West wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers likely before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind 3 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Missouri but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

On nearly 2 acres, this immaculate 4 bed, 3 bath blends country calm with city convenience. High ceilings, quartz surfaces, solid wood cabinetry, and hardwood floors define the open plan. The main level offers three bedrooms including an office-friendly bedroom option. A walkout apartment plus an 8×16 greenhouse and a 40×60 steel-frame shop with bathroom and RV or boat storage.

Take a peek inside →