Sandra Johnson got her wings. After recently completing local board training, Sandra was installed as an official Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors member. In addition to being licensed by Missouri to sell real estate, Gerken &Associates belongs to both the Local, State and National Association of Realtors and abides by a strict Code of Ethics. Congratulations Sandra! 10/08/2007

Last night, six-time Grammy and ten-time American Music Award winner, Randy Travis performed a Christmas show taping at The Mansion Theater in Branson. The concert, sponsored by Feed The Children, was free and open to the public and was filmed for an up-coming Feed The Children Christmas television special due to air later this year. Travis sang songs from his new Christmas album, "Songs of the Season" to a packed house. 10/08/2007

Branson will soon have three wineries! Construction of a new winery in the Branson area is set to begin in November, while another is slated to open early next year. Branson already is home to Stone Hill Winery, which draws over 450,000 visitors a year. Now under construction, the $2 million Mount Pleasant Winery is set to open in February and the $8 million Branson Ridge Winery is scheduled to open early 2009. Branson Ridge Winery sits on 18 acres just north of Branson on U.S. Highway 465. The 35,000-square-foot complex includes a 1890s-era stone barn and banquet hall, a 1918-era Americana barn and bistro, a 1930s-era specialty foods market, and a modern glass and steel-covered foyer for special events. 10/08/2007

Gerken & Associates is a proud sponsor and supporter of the 50th Annual "Ham and Bean" Dinner held at the Branson United Methodist Church. Every year the church puts on a dinner and lunch fundraiser to help support the church's growth and sustainability. We're thankful to be able to support the church's endeavors. 10/08/2007

I get these upadates from my friend Chris Every couple of weeks, which I have enjoyed and found to be informative. I thought I'd start passing them along to everyone out there so you can let me know what you think about Chris' take on the market. I hope it will spur many buyers to forget the Real Estate market doom and gloom hype so you can go get those pre-approval letters. When you do come see me you will receive representation you can count on. I will be with you every step of the way helping you with the purchase of your vacation home or investment property. Now is the time people get out there and buy some real estate. If it is your first home or your 100th now is the time to purchase while you have the upper hand as the buyer. I hope you enjoy this info from Chris. Week of: Monday... 09/25/2007

Brand new home located just past the 13th Fairway in Stonebridge Village, a master planned gated community. Amenities include LedgeStone championship golf course, pro shop, driving range, tennis courts, fitness center, clubhouse, two swimming pools, two restaurants, security, playground area, ponds/lakes, hiking trails, and wonderful neighbors! Home sits on a private acre at the end of a secluded cul-de-sac. Builder to complete landscaping and final details soon. Priced $10 grand under appraisal! Slideshow: http://www.CharlieGerken.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?listingid=1262814 09/13/2007

Golf front condo overlooking the 13th Fairway in Stonebridge Village, a master planned gated community. Amenities include LedgeStone championship golf course, pro shop, driving range, tennis courts, fitness center, clubhouse, two swimming pools, two restaurants, security, playground area, ponds/lakes, hiking trails, and wonderful neighbors! Condo features bright spacious rooms, open floor plan, a garage, and wraparound screened patio with golf course and fabulous evening views. Furniture is also negotiable. Check out the Virtual Tour.Slideshow: http://www.CharlieGerken.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?listingid=1262745  09/13/2007

Contemporary home with over 2,600 s.f. on large lot with private fenced backyard and two car garage. Interior features include hardwood floors, 2 fireplaces, bar area, skylights, Japanese tub, 2-headed shower, and a custom kitchen with all new stainless steel appliances. Exterior features include a new outdoor kitchen, grill, fridge, hot tub, 2 new air conditioning units and a heat pump. Located in Branson North, a high-demand subdivision close to schools, shopping and the hospital. Slide Show: http://www.CharlieGerken.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?listingid=1235687 09/13/2007

Duane Gerken introduced Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, key speaker for the "VIP Breakfast in Branson" held today at the Hilton Convention Center and Hotel. Kinder is the major force behind bringing the Tour of Missouri to our state and the reception was given in honor of him and the cycling event that generated over 30,000 spectators and 112 world-class cyclists to race in Branson. 09/13/2007

Over 30,000 spectators were in Branson today to watch the individual time trials of the Tour of Missouri. Today's grueling 18-mile cycling course began at the Branson Landing and ended at the Shepherd of the Hills Homestead. U.S. Pro Champion Levi Leipheimer came in first place with a time of 39:37. Australian Nathan O'Neill came in second by just 16 seconds and three-time Swedish time trial champion, Matti Helimen finished third, a minute and a half behind the leader. Afterwards, several of the 112 world-class cyclists commented on the challenging course our scenic Ozark hills provided. 09/13/2007

Branson's fiscal year ends later this month and the city is slated to have generated over a billion dollars in gross sales! That's up more than $124 million in comparison to last year. Tourism tax revenues increased by 9% with sales and transportation taxes up 15% over the same time last year. Tourism taxes collected through July total $9.6 million compared to $8.8 million last year. Sales taxes collected total over $12.6 million in comparison to $10.9 million in 2006. The city of Branon's fiscal year runs from October to September. 09/13/2007

Nestled amongst the Ozark hills and state forestry, this private 3 acre lot is exclusively available for a home in Sycamore Farms, a beautiful new neighborhood inside the Branson School district. Lot features underground electric, mature trees and plenty of wildlife. Perfect for a ranch or walkout basement home. Need even more space? Additional acre lots in this neighborhood are available too - MLS #314515 & #314514. All lots are clearly marked showing which ones have sold and those still available. Check out the Virtual Tour.Slideshow: http://www.charliegerken.com/Branson/Missouri/Farms_and_Acreages/Branson/Branson/Agent/Listing_1262847.html 09/10/2007

Carol Turpin has been promoted to Office Administrator for Gerken & Associates. Carol joined the firm a year ago as an Administrative Assistant and has since taken a more proactive role in managing the daily office operations, assisting agents and maintaining customer relations. Congratulations Carol! We're fortunate to have you on our team. 09/10/2007

Gerken & Associates participated in a miniature golf tournament fundraiser for the Missouri Association of Realtors' non-profit Center for Education & Private Enterprise. The Center provides scholarships for high school students to attend Missouri Business Week at Missouri University. The Center also provides training materials to teachers for the "It's Your Move" program, which covers the home buying process, terminology and other valuable information related to housing. Gerken & Associates supported the fundraiser with a company team of 12 golfers and signed up an additional 7 golfers from Liberty Bank. Over 40 golfers participated in the local fundraising event. 09/10/2007

The new downtown Branson Hilton Convention Center opened today as Branson officials held a ribbon cutting for the event. Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley thanked city staff, current and past board of aldermen and others who made the Convention Center a reality. The building offers 220,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including two exhibit halls totaling 50,000 square feet, which connects to a 23,000 square foot ballroom. The convention center offers a wide range of services, including complete onsite catering, audio visual services, Internet, event management, and connects directly to the Hilton Branson Convention Hotel, a 12-story luxury hotel with 290 rooms and suites. 09/09/2007

Charlie Gerken was a featured lecturer in this year's Branson Area Chamber Business Expo. Charlie's Internet Marketing workshop titled, "Online or the Breadline" tackled key objectives in how businesses can better track their online marketing dollars, attract and retain web visitors. The workshop was held at the Chateau on the Lake Hotel and was free to all Branson Area Chamber members. 08/31/2007

Say goodbye to summer! Branson City Officials are expecting large crowds to roll into the Tri-Lakes Area this weekend for what many consider to be the last weekend of summer. In fact, the Table Rock Lake Corps of Engineers reported that all 13 Corps' campgrounds are booked solid. They also expect to see many boaters as well as full crowds on Table Rock Lake's popular beaches. Live telecasts and several concerts will held downtown at The Branson Landing as they hold their Labor Day weekend tradition of raising money for Jerry Lewis' annual Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon. 08/31/2007

Gerken & Associates is a corporate sponsor and participant in this year's Branson Area Business Expo and Small Business of the Year Awards Dinner. The expo will be held tomorrow between noon and 5 p.m. at the luxurious Chateau on the Lake Hotel. It will feature over 40 Branson businesses and is free to the public. The private Awards dinner will start at 5:30 p.m. Please stop by our booth and see us! 08/31/2007

Clients of Gerken & Associates' have a lot to look forward to. Jeff and Charlie Gerken, along with other top-producing Realtors across the country attended the highly-anticipated Hobbs/Herder two-day MegaMarketing Seminar held at the Chateau on the Lake Hotel in Branson. The Orange County, California-based, real estate advertising agency taught attendees how to take marketing efforts to the next level with high-impact advertising, public relations and integrated marketing business solutions of the future. 08/31/2007

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced election results from "Choose Your Favorite Missouri Music" which her office sponsored at the State Fair. Over 3,000 voters participated in the election which was twice the voter turnout over last year. Fairgoers overwhelming selected Branson Country music, which received 56% of the vote in a four-way race. The official election results are: Branson Country 1,692, Ozark Bluegrass 553, Kansas City Jazz 396 and St. Louis Blues 359. 08/31/2007