16. Missouri Career Center
City: Branson, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (417) 334-4156
Address: 2720 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway
Description: This statewide network of Missouri Career Centers provides valuable workforce services: personalized career-assistance services from trained workforce specialists for job seekers; assistance from business representatives and access to other valuable business services for businesses. To find contact information and directions to the Career Center nearest you, visit the Web site or call (888) 728 JOBS (5627).
17. Dogwood Lanes
City: Branson, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (417) 336-2695
Address: 2126 MO 76 East
Description: Dogwood Lanes bowling alley offers a senior citizens mixed bowling league for those interested in competing in ABC and WIBC tournaments. The league travels throughout Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa. If no openings currently exist for the league, you may still sign up to be an alternate. (For more information on bowling alleys, see the Recreation and the Outdoors chapter.)
18. Branson Tops 468
City: Branson, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (417) 336-4662
Address: 221 Malone St.
Description: The Branson TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) group meets each Friday at 8 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, just across from Skaggs Community Health Center. The group’s philosophy is based on a combination of moral support and sound nutrition practices. The dues are $20 per year plus $2 per month. Guest speakers from area health-care facilities drop in from time to time.
19. International Rose O’Neill Club
City: Branson, MO
Category: Retirement
Description: The world headquarters for the International Rose O’Neill Club is located where else but in Branson, where Rose O’Neill, creator of the famous Kewpie doll, once lived. The club has affiliate chapters in many states and Japan. Each year members gather for Kewpiesta, one of the area’s most extravagant festivals (see the Annual Events chapter). All stops were pulled out in 2009, the 100th anniversary of the Kewpie. Many of the club’s members also belong to the Bonniebrook Historical Society. While the International Rose O’Neill Club is primarily concerned with the study of O’Neill’s various works of art, the historical society helps raise money for Bonniebrook Park (485 Rose O’Neill Rd., Walnut Shade). For information on the historical society, call (417) 561-1509.
20. Lyons Memorial Library
City: Branson, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (417) 334-6411, ext. 3411
Description: Just southwest of the chapel on the campus of College of the Ozarks, the library features a variety of books on religion, history, and education. Missouri and Boone County (Arkansas) residents may obtain a library card by showing proof of residency or a driver’s license.
21. Taneyhills Community Library
City: Branson, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (417) 334-1418
Address: 200 South Fourth St.
Description: This privately funded library is home to nearly 48,000 books, and with the help of the Taneyhills Library Club, that number is climbing. The Taneyhills Thrift Shop is located in the lower level of the library and contains clothing, housewares, and other used merchandise. Volunteers from the Taneyhills Library Club operate the shop and help out upstairs as well. You can find a good selection of reference books at this library as well as books on tape.
22. Branson Senior Center
City: Branson, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (417) 335-4801
Address: 201 Compton
Description: Volunteers are always needed to help deliver Meal on Wheel to to seniors in the Branson and Hollister area and to help out in the Branson Senior Center.
City: Branson, MO
Category: Retirement
Address: 627 North Glenstone Ave.
24. Skaggs Community Health Center
City: Branson, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (417) 335-7140
Description: The Skaggs Community Health Center Auxiliary provides more than 180 volunteers known as Pink Ladies (although some of the volunteers are men). The volunteers staff the hospital’s six information desks, operate the Forget-Me-Not Gift Shop and the Pink Door Thrift Shop in Hollister, and help out at various community wellness events. In one recent year, the auxiliary gave 33,837 volunteer hours to the hospital. If you would like to get involved, call the Community Relations Department at the number above.