Show Me the Ozarks - June 2023

A Matter of Trust A Matter of Trust

2023 MUSIC IN THE PARK FREE CONCERT SERIES

June

June

June

July

June

June

July

The concerts are scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m., however times may be adjusted due to inclement weather (heat or rain.) Severe weather conditions will cancel concerts. Concessions will be available beginning by 6:30 pm or sooner. For more information phone (620) 421-7032, visit

In this issue, we’re showcasing our talented friends in the news and radio industry. We see and hear them every day and rely on them to deliver the news of what’s happening in our communities. This month, we feature those in the industry committed to bringing the news straight to us.

62 Carl Junction Sprinter Sydney Ward Blazing Path to Success

63 Carl Junction Golfer Jack Spencer Showcases Brilliant Luster on the Links

64 Cowgers Use Service Activities to Share Compassion

Featuring Northeast Oklahoma

in every edition

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE OZARKS

14 Summer is upon us in the Four States! Treat Dad to a Father’s Day jazz brunch or go with him to buy local produce at the farmer’s market. Enjoy nature by learning about fireflies, birds or snakes at a local nature program or take a summer solstice hike. And don’t forget about the many local Independence Day celebrations coming up!

16 Independence Day Celebrations

17 2023 Newton County Fair Schedule

20 Cultural Arts and Entertainment

35 Northeast Oklahoma Events

Home/Lifestyle

27 Tastes of the Four States - Bailey’s Family Dining

28 Show Me Dining Guide

69 A Naturalist Voice - June’s Feathered Bounty

70 Your House ... Your Home - A Space for Dad

86 The Great Outdoors - An Outdoor Day with Dad Weddings

72 Say Yes to the Dress: A Guide to Stress-Free Wedding Dress Shopping with Augusta Bridal

74 Ultimate Wedding Destinations & Services

78 All You Need Is Love

Can you find it?

39 Recipe: Chicken Salad Bliss

56 Why I Run: Accountability, Camaraderie, Health and Friendship for Friends Liesl Barcus and Kara Mello

81 What’s New For Treatment of Knee Arthritis?

82 Fit For Life: Healthier Together

84 Health Events

88 Narcan to be Available Over the Counter This Summer

13 The Great Race Treks Through Joplin

18 Joplin Outlaws Baseball Team Ready to Shine on the Diamond

22 Connect2Culture welcomes two touring performances this month

25 Joplin Arts District

26 Spotlight on Carthage

32 Faces & Places - Joplin Chamber Banquet

40 Cover Story: A Matter of Trust

60 Faces & Places - Joplin Floor Design

65 Fashion Forward - One24 Boutique

66 Things We Love

80 Faces & Places - Walk for Autism

Find the GREEN smiley face on one of our pages. Email sue@ showmetheozarks.com with the page number and spot where you found it. Submit your entry by the 15th of the month. A winner will be drawn from all the correct entries and will receive a gift certificate from an area retailer. One entry per household please. Good luck!

Congratulations to Kelly Tomas, the winner of the May edition “Find the Green Smiley Face” contest. Kelly wins two gift certificates to McAlister’s Deli in Joplin, Missouri. The Green Smiley was on page 69 in the photo of the greenhouse.

The Ozarks Magazine Since 2001

Staff

PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Lee Radcliff

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR/ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Sue Dillmon

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Wendy Brunner

Kathleen Swift

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Kelley Talent

Kristi Tucker

SOCIAL EDITOR/MARKETING ASSISTANT

Cheryl Franklin

PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR

Jamie Emery

STAFF WRITERS

Holly Hukill

Jeff Cantrell

Kathleen Swift

Don Lowe

Larry Whiteley

Bridget Bauer

Amy Howe

Ann Leach

Allison Lee Riechman-Bennett

Kristi Spencer

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Amy Howe

Mandy Edmonson

Ashley Caughorn

DISTRIBUTION

Shelby Cagle / Gary and Desma Sisco

Show Me The Ozarks Magazine is published monthly by Show Me Communications, PO Box 3325, Joplin, MO 64803. Copyright 2022 all rights reserved. Reproduction of this magazine, in part or in whole, is prohibited without written permission from SMTO. Subscription rates: $19.99 for one year, $32.99 for two years, $41.99 for three years. Advertising rates sent on request. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, and art will not be returned unless accompanied by self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage.

NOTE: Information published herein is subject to change without notice. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited by law. SMTO makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of published information, however the publisher cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. SMTO does not take responsibility for, or always endorse the opinions of contributors or advertisers. SMTO reserves the right to not run an ad or article that is reviewed to be in bad taste or goes against the focus or mission of that of Show Me The Ozarks Magazine. Editor photo by Hannah Sanderson Photography.

Celebrations Around Us

Who does not love to celebrate? We celebrate birthdays, weddings, graduations and other special events. We throw parties, barbeque, gather with friends and build memories. Who says we have to wait for an event, though? We have so much to celebrate around us every day. Here are some things SMTO is celebrating this month.

Celebrating Who We Are. The 151st Quapaw Powwow begins July 1 and provides four nights jam-packed with a wide range of activities. Quapaw Powwow is an opportunity for this tribe of Native Americans to connect the past to the present and preserve a rich history. However, this event is not just for Native Americans; it is for all men, women and children to honor the past by celebrating the present. The Quapaw Powwow is an event that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Celebrating Our People. Every morning and evening, our local television personalities celebrate our community. With their whit, banter or calm delivery of vital information, the television personalities found within this issue are committed to delivering what is happening in our communities. Some might have been on air for over 50 years and others are just starting their journey, but all are faces we welcome in our homes every day. Thank you for all you do!

Celebrating Small Communities. There is nothing better than coming from a small town, with its familiar faces, strong history and the security of the well-known. This month, we celebrate Carl Junction. This town is small, but its heart is mighty. CJ celebrates big and serves each other even bigger. We feature teachers, small businesses, community members, athletes and more this month. See what makes Carl Junction so special!

Celebrating Love. The biggest celebration of love is the wedding day. The wedding day marks the first day of the rest of your life as a couple. In this issue, we provide you with all the information you need to make your start of happily-ever-after live up to your biggest, wildest dreams. We provide you with tips, information, venues, services and more to make your special day one in a million. After all, your happiness is our happiness!

Celebrating My Rock. June 30 is the fifth wedding anniversary to the love of my life, Scott. After 60 months, 260 weeks and 1,825 days, our love story is still my favorite. You are my best friend, my true partner. You are always by my side and support all my dreams, whether that is professionally, with our family or in any pursuit of adventure. Thank you for making these past five years amazing. I love you and cannot wait to spend another five years with you!

Don’t forget, in all of your celebrations, shop local. There is no better way to celebrate our community than by supporting locally owned businesses. Here is to finding a reason to celebrate this month!

MONDAY, JUNE 26

LUNCH: Veterans Park, Tupelo, MS – Noon

OVERNIGHT: Guesthouse/Graceland, Memphis, TN – 5 p.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 27

LUNCH: Argenta, Downtown, North Little Rock, AR – 11:45 a.m.

OVERNIGHT: Russellville Depot, Russellville, AR – 4:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28

LUNCH: BW Inn Of The Ozarks, Eureka Springs, AR – Noon.

OVERNIGHT: Main Street Downtown, Joplin, MO – 5 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 29

LUNCH: Lyon County Fairgrounds, Emporia, KS – 1 p.m.

OVERNIGHT: Riverfront Stadium, Wichita, KS – 4:45 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30

LUNCH: Brit Spaugh Park & Zoo, Great Bend, KS – 12:30 p.m.

OVERNIGHT: Main St./Stevens Park, Garden City, KS – 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 1

LUNCH: Colorado Welcome Center, Lamar, CO – 11:00 a.m.

OVERNIGHT: Pueblo Union Depot, Pueblo, CO – 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 2

FINISH: Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO – 1 p.m.

The Great Race Treks Through Joplin

The Great Race Fast Facts

What:

The Great Race Day 5 Overnight Stop

When: Wednesday, June 28, at 4:45 p.m.

Where: Joplin, Missouri’s Main Street

Co-Sponsors in Joplin: Contract Freighters, Inc. and Visit Joplin (Convention & Visitors Bureau)

Start & Finish: The Great Race begins in St. Augustine, Florida, Saturday, June 24, and concludes in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sunday, July 2.

The Route: This race treks through 19 states from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee through Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado.

SCHEDULE

• Close Main Street (4th Street to 7th Street), 10 a.m.

• Scoring crew arrives (set up inside Convention & Visitors Bureau), 1 p.m.

• Finish line set-up begins, 1:45 p.m.

• Food trucks arrive (Smack Dab and Snowflake’s Shaved Ice), 2:30 p.m.

• Parc Ferme’, finish line secured for cars and open to the public, 3:30 p.m.

• Local car show (all vehicles in place), 4:30 p.m.

• Advertised time for the public to begin arriving, 4:30-8 p.m.

Later this month, area residents and visitors from surrounding communities will have a great opportunity to cheer on The Great Race when this event makes an overnight stop in Joplin, Missouri, as part of its nine-day, 2,300mile adventure that treks through nine states from Florida to Colorado.

Patrick Tuttle, with Visit Joplin, says, “This is a multi-day endurance event. The race is more about time and accuracy on following navigation the teams received just that morning.

“They know where they’re headed but do not know their route until just before they hit the road. Check points along the way determine their scoring. There’s no GPS or any electronic assistance. It’s just the driver and a navigator.”

When the race makes its official way to Joplin, Tuttle says, “Day five scoring ends just after Diamond, Missouri. Then they come down 7th Street and turn on Main Street. They will park in the 300 to 500 blocks of Main Street (Route 66). Local vintage cars will be in the 600 block.”

A news release for this friendly competition, which began 40 years ago in 1983, indicates The Great Race is the world’s premiere old car rally, and it will bring 120 of the world’s finest automobiles to town for this $150,000 event.

The Great Race teams and cars, which are coming from Japan, England, Australia, Germany and Canada, and every corner of the United States, will all converge in Florida in mid-June with vintage automobiles dating as far back as 1916.

“When The Great Race pulls into a city, it becomes an instant festival,” The Great Race Director Jeff Stumbs says. “Last year, we had several overnight stops with more than 10,000 spectators on our way to having 250,000 people see The Great Race during the event.”

Tuttle believes this is a big deal for all those throughout the Four-State Region and he

• Arrival ceremony (Color Guard, National Anthem, local welcome and opening statements), 4:45 p.m.

• First Great Race finishers begin arriving, 5 p.m.

• Catered dinner for Great Race finishers (Hackett Hot Wings & Sports Room – not open to the public), 5-7:30 p.m.

• Last Great Race finishers arrive, 7 p.m.

• Great Race and local car show vehicles begin departing, 7:30 p.m.

• Parc Ferme’ closed (all cars have departed from Main Street), 8 p.m.

• Finish line tear-down complete, 8:45 p.m.

• Main Street reopened, 9:15 p.m.

says, “The fact that Joplin is a part of an event with international contestants is exciting.

“In 2021, still coming out of the pandemic, the Canada teams could not participate. In 2023, not only will Canada make a comeback, but a team from Japan will be included, as well.”

Amongst the featured cars will be a 1916 Hudson Hill Climber, 1928 Ford Model A, 1917 American LaFrance Racer and 1973 Cadillac Ambulance. There’s also a 1955 Ford Thunderbird, 1957 Chevy Bel Air, 1966 Mustang and Corvette, 1963 Ford Falcon and 1971 AMC Javelin.

Tuttle is proud to be a part of it all and says, “Once Main Street is full, with all the vintage cars, it is amazing to watch the crowd of all ages and how they interact with such a huge event. The Great Race is a crowd pleaser.”

What’s Happening Calendar of Events

in the Ozarks

If you have an event you would like to see listed in the Calendar of Events, please email your request to: sue@showmetheozarks.com. Events are printed on a space available basis and must be received by the 5th of the month prior to the month of the scheduled event.

Support Your Local Farmer’s Market!

Grove, OK: Saturdays 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown.

Pittsburg, KS: Saturdays 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 11th and Broadway streets, downtown Pittsburg. 620.231.8310.

Anderson, MO: First and third Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 100 N. Jefferson St.

Carthage, MO: Wednesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m. North side of the historic Carthage square. www.visit-carthage.com/attraction/carthagefarmers-market.

Lamar, MO: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Moore Pavilion, 10th & Poplar. 417.682.3579.

Joplin, MO: Every Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Empire Market, 931 E. 4th Street.

Monett, MO: Saturdays 8 a.m.-12 p.m.; Tuesdays TBD. South Park by the YMCA parking lot.

Neosho, MO: Saturdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m., directly across from the library downtown.

Webb City, MO: Tuesdays 4-7 p.m., Thursdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Pavilion at the Main Street entrance to King Jack Park.

Pittsburg, KS

Wednesdays: Trivia Night, 7 p.m., Drop the H Brewing Company, 107 E. Rose St.

Thursdays: Thursday Night Line Dance Lessons, 7-9 p.m., Dirty Mule Restaurant Bar & Event Center, 134 S. US 69.

First Friday of the Month: Heavy metal bands, live music, 9 p.m., Dirty Mule Restaurant Bar & Event Center, 134 S. US 69.

Second Friday of the Month: Drag Shows, 10 p.m., Dirty Mule Restaurant Bar & Event Center, 134 S. US 69.

Last Friday of the Month: College Night w/ DJ A Baby, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission with college ID. Dirty Mule Restaurant Bar & Event Center, 134 S. US 69.

ArtForms Gallery Workshops, 620 N. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS. 620.240.0165. Check our Facebook page during the month as artists may offer popups.

Every Tuesday: Art Exploration/Weekly Beginning Painting, 12:302:30 p.m. Free. Explore different art techniques. Feel free to bring something you are working on.

June 2: Double Up! 2-4 p.m. We will first do two ring pours and then we will put a colorful swipe between the two. $30, due at time of registration. Class limit: 10; ages: 12 and older.

June 11 & 25: Ceramic Windchimes, June 11, 1-3 p.m.; June 25, 12-4 p.m. This is a fun class divided into two sections. In the first part, you will create the ceramic pieces and work on the plan for the finished piece. The second part is for the actual construction of the wind chime. All supplies provided, including kiln firing. $50, due at time of registration. Class limit: 10; ages: 12 and older.

Carl Junction Community Center: 303 N. Main St., 417.649.7237

Monday, Wednesday & Friday Pickleball 6-10 p.m., Tuesday & Thursday 1-3 p.m., and Sunday 1-6 p.m. Tuesday Yoga 6 p.m.

June 3: Carl Junction Lions Breakfast, 8-11 a.m., CJ Community Center. Cost: Adults $6; children under 6 years, $3. Call 417.439.7724.

Carthage, MO

June 3: All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast, 9-11 a.m., Carthage Shrine Club. Public welcome. $7 per person. Call 417.317.0609.

Diamond, MO - George Washington Carver National Monument Visitor Center Free Programs. Two miles west of Diamond on Highway V, then 1/4 mile south on Carver Road. Visitor center and park grounds open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 417.325.4151 or visit www.nps.gov/gwca. *Programs will be presented outside on the park grounds.

June 3: National Trails Day, 8 a.m. Join us for the country’s largest celebration of trails. Visitors will learn about National Park Service trails, hiking safety, nutrition and well-being.

June 4: Archaeological Investigations, 1 p.m. Over the years, archaeologists have discovered artifacts at the park. Join a park ranger and learn about some of these collections, and glance at pieces of history.

June 10 & 11: Agricultural School on Wheels, 1 p.m. Learn more about this innovative solution to rural farm education George Washington Carver helped design.

June 17: Casting A Legacy - Art Walk, 1 p.m. Join a park ranger for a walk near the visitor center, exploring commemorative artwork along the trail.

June 18: Juneteenth Celebration, 1 p.m. What is Juneteenth? It is a time for reflection on freedom. Join a park ranger for an informative program about one of America’s most historic celebrations of the ending of slavery.

June 24: Historic Neosho Schoolhouse, 11:30 a.m. Held at 639 Young Street in Neosho, Missouri. Join a park ranger where George Washington Carver first attended school and learn about his struggles for education.

June 25: Historic Neosho Schoolhouse, 1 p.m. Stop by the visitor center to learn about the historic 1872 Neosho Colored School and the neighborhood that supported the education of hundreds of African American children, including George Washington Carver.

Joplin, MO

Saturdays: Joplin Empire Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 931 E. 4th St. The Joplin Empire Market is the place to find the best in locally grown produce, gourmet foodstuffs and handmade artisan goods. Curbside ordering available, and orders may be placed Tuesday at 8 p.m. until Thursday at 8 p.m. at http://localline.ca/joplin-empire-market. Curbside pickup hours are Saturday 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. More information: ivy@joplinempiremarket. com.

June 2: The Woman’s Club of Joplin Club Day, noon, Twin Hills Golf and Country Club. We will celebrate the 94th anniversary of the Woman’s Club! A fashion show featuring clothes from Chico’s will follow the luncheon. For more information or to make reservations, call or text 417.483.6336.

Neosho, MO

June 18: Father’s Day Jazz Brunch, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Briar & Thistle. Serving up delicious brunch treats, slinging awesome cocktails and local beer, and enjoying live jazz! Tickets $25 per person and include full buffet, drinks, bar and live music. 417.389.5177

Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center, 201 West Riviera Drive, Joplin, MO. The Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center is your local connection to Missouri’s fish, forests and wildlife. Check out the native plant landscaping, exhibits or hike the trails. Purchase a fishing or hunting permit, attend a nature program or watch for wildlife along the trails and banks of Shoal Creek. Enjoy a variety of free public programs throughout the year. Education Center is open Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Sunday, Monday and most state holidays. Call 417.629.3434, email Shoal.Creek@mdc.mo.gov or visit mdc.mo.gov/

events for upcoming events. The parking lot, grounds and trail are open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.

June 5: Who Lives There? 10 a.m., Neosho/Newton County Library. Join MDC naturalists at the Neosho/Newton County Library to explore the world of habitats. What is a habitat and who can be found living in them? See live animals and learn how to be a friend to wildlife. Register at the Neosho/Newton County Library website. Recommended for all ages.

June 16: Magical Fireflies, 7-9 p.m., Walter Woods. Those tiny, magical specks of light that spark our imagination every summer are back! Learn all about these special beetles that are nature’s “flashlights,” make a special firefly jar to take home and help us catch some fireflies on the lawn at Walter Woods Conservation Area. Bring a flashlight if you have one. Registration is required. Best for ages 5 and up.

June 23: Little Acorns: Slithery Snakes, 10:30-11 a.m. Slither in to find out more about this fascinating reptile, see some up close (live snakes) and make a snake craft to take home. Registration required. Recommended for ages 3 to 6.

June 29: Nature Escape Room for Teens, 5-7:30 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Naturalists need your help to uncover more about Missouri wildlife. Inside a room filled with puzzles and games, your group will have 30 minutes to solve clues to learn about amazing Missouri creatures and their unique characteristics. If your group beats the clock, a prize awaits at the finish. Recommended for ages 13 to 18. Register with the Joplin Public Library. Limited slots are available, and the group size is limited to six individuals. All participants must register separately.

Webb City, MO

Saturdays: Webb City Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon. Farm-fresh produce, baked goods, herbs, jams, jellies, humanely raised meats and so much more. Information: 417.438.5833.

June 16: Girl’s Night Out, 8 p.m., Just A Taste. A swanky girl’s night out, featuring a Charleston dance class that will have you kicking up your heels and feeling like a flapper. Call 417.673.1154.

Wildcat Glades Friends Group, 201 Riviera Dr., Joplin, Missouri. All programs are free of charge, but registration is requested. To register, email robin@wildcatglades.org or visit our Facebook page for online registration options. Classes are limited to the first 20 students registered for preschool and yoga classes.

June 3: Adult Program: How to Collect & Display Insects, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Wildcat Glades Education Cottage; ages 13 and up. $15/person. Join us to learn about how to capture and display insects, both ethically and efficiently. Participants will receive a small insect display kit and will have the opportunity to practice their new skills on site to perfect the art. This program will have limited spots, so register quickly! Register by visiting our Facebook page, emailing maddie@wildcatglades.org or by going to https://bit.ly/WCInsectDisplay2023.

June 7 & 10: Nature Explorers: Interesting Insects, 10-11:30 a.m.; June 10, 6-7:30 p.m., Wildcat Glades Education Cottage. Ages 7-14. There is an entire world happening under our feet that deserves our attention. Join us to learn all about the cool insects at Wildcat Park. We will spend a bit of time in the cottage, then we will venture down on the trails to discover what our six-legged friends are up to. You must pre-register to attend, either by visiting our Facebook page, emailing maddie@wildcatglades.org or by going to https://bit.ly/NatureExplorersJune2023.

June 10: Yoga in Nature for Kids, 10:30 a.m., free. Ages 4 and up accompanied by an adult. Bring your yoga mat or a towel and a reusable water bottle. Must pre-register. Sign up by following the instructions on our Facebook page or email maddie@wildcatglades.org.

June 14 & 17: Preschool Connections: Turtle’s Day Out, 10-11 a.m.; June 17, 1-2 p.m., Wildcat Glades Education Cottage. Join us to read Turtle’s Day Out, sing a song and do a craft. Children will learn all about turtles and their

lives in Missouri. They will also have an opportunity to see a live turtle up close and in person! You must pre-register by going to our Facebook page, emailing maddie@wildcatglades.org or by going to https://bit.ly/ WCPreschoolConnectionsJune2023.

June 20: Conservation in the Parks: Birdwatching Basics, 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m., Landreth Park. All ages welcome, recommended for 7 and up. All sorts of birds can be found in the middle of Joplin. Interesting and beautiful birds are found in our local parks, including Landreth Park. Join us to look for birds such as Eatern Bluebirds and Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers, and to learn the basics of birdwatching. Wildcat Glades Nature Group and Missouri Department of Conservation naturalists will teach participants how to birdwatch. This program is limited to a certain number of participants, and you must pre-register. You can do so by visiting our Facebook page, emailing maddie@wildcatglades.org or by going to https://bit.ly/ConservationInTheParksJune2023

June 21: Summer Solstice Hike, 6-9 p.m., Wildcat Park. Ages 13+. What better way to welcome summer than to spend your evening out on the trails? June 21 is the longest day of the year, and Wildcat Glades Nature Group volunteers are planning to take advantage of the extra sunlight. Join us to hike the entire four-mile trail through Wildcat Park. This hike is for those who can handle long hikes and periods of steep/ rough terrain. Bring your hiking poles (if you want to), hiking shoes, water and a small snack. This program is limited to a certain number of participants, and you must pre-register. Please do so by visiting our Facebook page, emailing robin@wildcatglades.org or by going to https://bit.ly/WCSummerSolsticeHike2023.

June 30 & July 1: Wildcat Glades Rummage Sale, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., IBEW Hall 3316 Hearnes, Joplin. Support Wildcat Glades Nature Group at our semi-annual rummage sale! All proceeds directly support efforts at Wildcat Park by the Nature Group. We will accept donations June 26 and 27 at IBEW from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. No large appliances, old TVs or clothing will be accepted. If you have questions, contact robin@ wildcatglades.org or message us via Facebook.

Independence Day Celebrations

Joplin, MO

June 20-July 4: Black Market Fireworks retail fireworks at three air-conditioned locations: West 7th past Schifferdecker, Hwy 43 across from Petro, North Main by Front Page and tent locations throughout the area. Also wholesaling fireworks throughout the year.

Carthage, MO

July 4th Red, White and Boom, 2 p.m., Municipal Park. A full day of family fun, food trucks, games, live entertainment and fireworks. Call 417.358.2373 or ekitsmiller@ carthagechamber.com.

Seneca, MO

July 2-3: Faith, Family, Freedom--4th of July Celebration 2023, Seneca Park. Car show, Lil’ Miss & Mr. Firecracker contest, 5K run, pie auction, duck race, music, food trucks, kids’ games and fireworks.

Grand Lake, OK

July 3-4: 2023 Duck Creek Fireworks & Air Show, Cherokee Yacht Club and Marina on Grand Lake, July 3, 1 p.m.; July 4, 10 p.m. The largest fireworks show in the state.

July 3: Grove’s July 3rd Extravaganza, 6 pm, Wolf Creek Park.

July 4: Buffalo Run Casino, 5 pm, Miami.

Kansas:

July 1: Girard celebration at Crawford County Fairgrounds. Info: Girard Area Chamber of Commerce 620.724.4715.

July 2: Celebration at Crawford State Park, Farlington. 620.362.3671.

July 4: Mulberry celebration, Mulberry City Hall. 620.764.3315.

July 3-4: Hepler Rodeo & Independence Celebration. Info: Kim Harris, 620.368.4792.

July 4: Joplin’s Independence Day Celebrations, Missouri Southern State University; 5:30 p.m. food trucks, 7 p.m. stadium opens, 7:30 p.m. live music, 9:45 p.m. fireworks. Watch for more information on Joplin Parks & Recreation and MSSU Facebook page and website.

July 4: Pittsburg celebration, Pittsburg Parks & Recreation. 620.231.8310.

2023 Newton County Fair Schedule

Saturday, June 24, 2023

9:00 AM Youth Dog Show

Located in Commercial Building Pick up Indoor Tags

Saturday, July 1, 2023

2:00 PM Queen/Princess Interviews at First Free Will Baptist Church

6:00 PM Queen/Princess Pageant

Monday, July 3, 2023

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Indoor and Outdoor Exhibits must be in place

2:00 PM Judge Indoor Exhibits

ANIMALS MUST BE CHECKED IN BY SUPERINTENDENT BEFORE ENTERING BARN ABSOLUTELY NO UNLOADING WITHOUT SUPERINTENDENT’S APPROVAL.

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

8:30 AM Broilers in place

9:00 AM Broiler Pen Show (will be released to leave after show and must be removed from arena by 11:00 AM)

10:00 AM Start Poultry Blood Test

12:00 PM Poultry in place

12:00 PM All livestock in place (all trucks & trailers removed)

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Weigh - in Steers

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Weigh - in Sheep, Goats, Swine

3:00 PM Poultry Workshop

4:00 PM Opening Ceremonies and Exhibit Buildings open

5:00 PM Market Show (5:00 PM Goats, 6:00 PM Sheep and 7:00 PM Steers)

5:00 PM Open Poultry Show (Poultry Barn)

7:00 PM Open Rabbit Show (Rabbits will be released to go home after the show)

7:00 PM Horse - Open Obstacle Course (Horse Arena)

Midnight All Market Poultry must be removed from cages Midnight Fair closes

Thursday, July 6, 2023

8:00 AM Swine (Market and Breeding)followed by Showmanship then Pee Wee

8:00 AM - 12 Noon Horse - Trail (at will, to allow exhibitors to show other species)

10:00 AM Poultry (start with waterfowl, turkey, and chicken) - followed by showmanship

10:30 AM Rabbit and Pee Wee Rabbit (Rabbit Barn)

2:00 PM Dairy Cattle

5:30 PM Sheep

6:30 PM Adult Swine Showmanship

7:00 PM Horse Western Pleasure -- followed by Horsemanship -followed by Costume

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM EntertainmentBobby Degonia

Midnight Fair closes

Friday, July 7, 2023

7:30 AM-8:30 AM Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce Second Friday Coffee

8:00 AM Beef

Bucket Calf Show after Regular Beef

8:00 AM Horse Showmanship followed by Hunt Seat

12:00 PM Boer Goats

4:00 PM Dairy Goats

7:00 PM Adult Showmanship

7:00 PM Horse Show-De-O

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM EntertainmentMorgan Swear

Midnight Fair closes

Saturday, July 8, 2023

8:30 AM Open Horse Show

8:30 AM Round Robin

11:30 AM Pee Wee Showmanship followed by Barn and Best of Show Awards

2:30 PM MANDATORY Market Sale

Participant Meeting / Set up for Sale

4:30 PM Livestock Buyers Appreciation Dinner (Youth Building)

6:00 PM Newton and McDonald County Cattlemen’s Watermelon Feed

7:00 PM Livestock Auction

10:00 PM Indoor exhibits and animals will be released by Superintendent (All animals will remain in stalls Saturday night; NO tie outs)

Joplin Outlaws Baseball Team Ready to Shine on the Diamond

It’s once again time to play ball for the Joplin Outlaws organization, which features collegiate baseball players from around the Four-State Region and nationally, who will showcase their skills in M.I.N.K. (Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas) League play this summer.

The Outlaws play host to visiting teams at Joe Becker Stadium in Joplin and fans will get an early glimpse of this year’s squad when they start 2023 with four consecutive home games between Thursday, June 1 and Monday, June 5.

Mark Rains, president and general manager of the Outlaws, believes it’s not only important to put together a competitive team, but to make it a great experience for all those who attend these games. He says, “We try to make it family friendly. And we just try to have fun. “Prices are inexpensive. It’s a minor league atmosphere. There’s more entertainment than just baseball. And the players compete hard.”

Outlaws Head Coach Chris Dawson returns for his second stint in charge of the team’s on-field play, and he says, “The keys to success this summer will fall on the team chemistry.

“We can bring in all the talent we want, but the summer season can be long if guys don’t like each other. The good thing is that for most of June, we are on the road a lot, so guys will have time to bond early this summer.”

Dawson, who also serves as baseball head coach at McPherson College (KCAC–NAIA), says, “Another huge key for us will be pitching. Good pitching will always lead to success in the summer. If you pitch well, you’ll have chances to win games.”

When it comes to areas of uncertainty for this year’s club, Dawson says, “My concern this summer is our defense. We are strong in some aspects; however, we do have some guys that don’t really have positions, so hopefully we can find them a home on the field, and it’ll lead to some good defense.”

Conversely, Coach Dawson predicts, “Our strength will be our offense. We are bringing in some position players that had good spring seasons for their schools, and I’m hoping they can carry that over to this summer.

“So, with me being an offensive-minded coach, the potential of this offense has me itching to get started. We have the chance to put up some good offensive numbers this summer.”

Coach Dawson is raring to go, and he says, “I’m always looking forward to getting around the guys and getting to know them.

“We have an awesome coaching staff coming to Joplin this summer that is going to help these kids develop their talents, and I’m excited to spend time around everyone in the Outlaws organization.”

Rains is thrilled with the overall structure of this organization and M.I.N.K. League and says, “We put the players with host families. We enjoy hosting them. We enjoy watching them compete. And the fans that come out will tell us how much fun they have. This is perfect for Joplin.”

Of course, Coach Dawson has his mind on fielding a team that is championship caliber and he stresses, “Everyone in the organization has one goal in mind and that is to win the league.

“We will do everything in our power to win the title this summer and bring it back to Joplin. This organization has seen new heights the last two summers, and we plan on taking the next step this summer.”

Joplin Outlaws Fast Facts

Outlaws Collegiate Baseball: 14th year of summer baseball

(started in 2008, began playing in 2009)

Home Field: Joe Becker Stadium, 1301 E. 3rd Street, Joplin, Missouri

Cost of Admission:

$6 for adults, children 12 and under free

Front Office: Mark Rains, president/general manager; Larry Warren, vice president; Edwina Rains, secretary; Karrla Morgan, treasurer; Jimmy Morgan, board member/webmaster; Todd Hawkins, board member; and LeeAnn Luebber, board member

Team Advisors: Steve Luebber and Warren Turner

PA Announcer: Chris Belk

Head Coach: Chris Dawson

Website: www.joplinoutlaws.com

For More Information: Contact Mark Rains at 417.825.4218

This content is also available at connect2culture.org/calendar.

Carthage, MO

June 10: Kellogg Lake Kids Fishing Day, 8 a.m.-noon. Free kid’s fishing event for youth ages 15 and under. Bring your own fishing tackle. Limit of four channel catfish per youth/person. No registration required. More information: Tim.Smith@mdc. mo.gov, 417.629.3434.

June 22-25: Love, Sex & the IRS, 6:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m., Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre. This classic farce follows two out-of-work musicians rooming together in New York City. Reservations required; email stdinnertheatre@gmail.com. Tickets: Adults $29, seniors (55+) $26, students $24, youth $23, children (6-12) $12, children (0-5) free. More information: stdinnertheatre@gmail.com, 417.358.9665.

Exhibits:

June 2-July 22: artCentral Annual Membership Exhibition, artCentral. From paintings and sculptures to photographs and jewelry, there’s no limit to these artists’ creativity. More information: artcentral1110@gmail.com, 417.358.4404.

Joplin, MO

Performances:

June 3: The Okee Dokee Brothers, 7:30 p.m., Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Leggett & Platt Green, 212 W. 7th St. These childhood friends have always loved exploring the outdoors. Best for ages five through 10. Tickets connect2culture. org, 417.501.5550 or at the C2C box office inside the Cornell Complex (Tue.-Sat., 1–5 p.m.). Tickets: $10-$20. More information: lauren@connect2culture.org, 417.501.5550.

June 9: John Fullbright, 7 p.m., The Coda Concert House, 2120 E. 24th St. John Fullbright is a musical triple threat—songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and singer of the highest order. For reservations, email info@codaconcerthouse.com. In response to reservations, a confirmation email with the address, directions, parking, etc., will be sent in return. Proceeds benefit the artist performing. Suggested minimum donation: $45. More information: info@codaconcerthouse.com.

June 15-18 & 22-25: Two Dumb Dogs: The Amazing Adventures of Ferdo and Floof, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m., Stained Glass Theatre Joplin. The Amazing Adventures of Ferdo and Floof, a comedy that teaches audiences the importance of self-confidence and brainpower, and that following rules is sometimes a good thing. Tickets at sgtjoplin.square.site. Tickets: Adults $10, children (ages 4-14) $5, children ages 3 and under admitted for free. More information: sgtjoplin@gmail.com.

June 17: BritBeat – A Tribute to the Beatles, 8 p.m., Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Leggett & Platt Green. BritBeat is a journey through Beatles music history. Tickets: connect2culture.org, the C2C box office inside the Cornell Complex (Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m.). Tickets: $30-$35. More information: lauren@ connect2culture.org, 417.501.5550.

June 24: A’lante Flamenco, 7 p.m., Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Beshore Performance Hall, 212 W. 7th St. A’lante Flamenco presents flamenco music and dance to audiences in a new and exciting way. Tickets at connect2culture.org or at the C2C box office inside the Cornell Complex (Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m.). Tickets: $20$25. More information: lauren@connect2culture.org, 417.501.5550.

Events:

June 1: Adult Take-Home Kit, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Grab this month’s adult take-home kit and get creative! Kits can be picked up in the Reference Area and are available while supplies last. Free. More information: sturnerhill@ joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.7953 x1030.

June 1: First Thursday ArtWalk, 5:30-8:30 p.m., downtown Joplin. Dozens of artists will show or demonstrate their artistic process and all art will be for sale. Map of participating locations is available at facebook.com/firstthursdayartwalkjoplin. Free. More information: lteeter00@gmail.com, 417.438.5931.

June 2: Will Parker (ages 5-12), 2-3 p.m., Joplin Public Library. In his energetic, funfilled musical performance, children’s songwriter Will Parker encourages creativity, interactivity and fun! Free. More information: cmatekel@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.2184.

June 4, 11, 18 & 25: Open Mic Comedy Night, 9 p.m., Blackthorn Pizza & Pub. Join Joplin Comedy and try out your latest stand-up routine or take in the acts of local

comedians. Age restrictions: 18+ until 10 p.m.; 21+ from 10 p.m. until close. Free. potterdakoda1982@gmail.com, 417.540.9186.

June 5: Artist Talk with Melissa Cowper-Smith and Jessica Mongeon, noon, Missouri Southern State University Spiva Art Gallery, opening reception at 1 p.m. Hear from artists Melissa Cowper-Smith and Jessica Mongeon about their collaborative exhibit, Cyclical Nature, and the inspiration behind their nature-related artwork. Free. More information: Bentley-C@mssu.edu, 417.625.3066.

June 5: Kindness Chapter Book Club (ages 8-12), 4-5 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Highlight kindness and community through Amy Timberlake’s Skunk and Badger and related activities. Each child will receive a free copy of the book. Register by emailing childrens@joplinpubliclibrary.org. Free. More information: cmatekel@ joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.2184.

June 6: Summertime Play Date (ages 2-5), 10-11 a.m., Joplin Public Library. The first 30 attendees will receive a ticket for a free sack lunch provided by Bookhouse Cinema in the Joplin Public Library’s outdoor classroom. Free. More information: cmatekel@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.2184.

June 6: Rock Club, 5:30 p.m., Joplin History & Mineral Museum. Club members listen to presentations on various rock-related topics, show off their favorite finds and help plan upcoming rock shows. No registration required. Free. More information: joplinmuseum@gmail.com, 417.623.1180 x1586.

June 6: Tuesday Knight Chess (ages 11-18), 6-7:30 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Teens who want to up their chess game can sharpen skills and trade tips at Tuesday Knight Chess! Meet in the Teen Department. This activity is designed for teens in grades 6-12 with basic knowledge of and experience playing chess. Free. More information: bsnow@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.7953 x1027.

June 6: Chat & Craft (ages 18+), 6-8 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Whether you crochet, knit, stitch, draw or paint, bring your current project and chat with others during Joplin Public Library’s monthly Chat & Craft event. All crafts welcome. Free. More information: sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.7953 x1030.

June 7: Tween Program: Cyanotype (Sun Prints) (ages 10-14), 4-5 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Special tween program that will include hands-on experience using solar power to catch images. Free. More information: bsnow@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.7953 x1027.

June 8: Joplin Goes to the Movies: Duel, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Bookhouse Cinema. In Steven Spielberg’s first full-length movie, Duel, a traveling salesman is harassed by a menacing 40-ton truck on a remote desert highway. This event is part of the Joplin sesquicentennial celebration. Free. More information: ptuttle@joplinmo.org, 417.625.4789.

June 8: Joplin Writers’ Guild, 6 p.m., Joplin Public Library, 1901 E. 20th St. Members have published novels, nonfiction books and articles. Dues $10 for the year, but anyone interested can attend their first meeting free. Info: s.v.farnsworth@gmail. com, 417.691.0480.

June 10: Summer STEAM: Cardboard Adventures (ages 6-12), 1-2 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Stretch your imagination and work together to create out-of-the-box cardboard creations. Free. More information: cmatekel@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.2184.

June 10: Anime/Manga Club (ages 11-18), 2-3 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Hang out, watch some anime, draw your favorite characters and more. Cosplay welcome but never required. Designed for teens in middle school and high school. Free. More information: bsnow@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.7953 x1027.

June 10: Art on Tap (ages 21+), 5-8 p.m., Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment, Spiva Center for the Arts. An evening of art, live music, tasty eats and plenty of beer, just for Spiva members! Cost: Spiva Members admitted for free. More information: jhenning@spivaarts.org, 417.623.0183.

June 12: Kindness Chapter Book Club (ages 8-12), 4-5 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Highlight kindness and community through Amy Timberlake’s Skunk and Badger and related activities. Each child will receive a free copy of the book. Register by calling 417.623.7953 or emailing childrens@joplinpubliclibrary.org. Free. More information: cmatekel@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.2184.

June 13: Art Adventure: DIY Friendship Bracelets (ages 5-12), 4-5 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Celebrate friendship and community by weaving a bracelet for someone you care about. Program is self-guided. Free. More information: cmatekel@ joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.2184.

June 13: Bingo Night (ages 18+), 6-7 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Bingo and compete for prizes during this fun, free event. More information: sturnerhill@ joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.7953 x1030.

June 14: Crosswords & Coffee (ages 18+), 9-11 a.m., Joplin Public Library. A cup of coffee and word puzzles. Sit and stay or take a word puzzle to your favorite spot in the library. Free. More information: GWCA_Interpretation@nps.gov, 417.325.4151.

June 14: Jr. Gardening 101 (ages 6-12), 3:30-4:30 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Learn about the basics of small-container gardening. Pot your own plant and complete a related craft. Children under nine must be accompanied by an adult. Free. More information: cmatekel@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.2184.

June 15: Third Thursday, 5:30-8:30 p.m. in downtown Joplin. Third Thursday, Joplin’s premier cultural event, is back! Every third Thursday, March through October, thousands of people gather on Main Street in downtown Joplin to enjoy local artisans, music, entertainment and food. Free. More information: ivy@ downtownjoplin.com, 928.514.7713.

June 15: All-Ages Game Night (ages 5+), 6-7 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Go to Joplin Public Library for a fun night of board and card games for all ages, all in celebration of International Games Month. Free. More information: sturnerhill@ joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.7953 x1030.

June 17: Lego Build-a-Thon (ages 4-12), 1-2 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Collaborate, build and explore your creative side during this Lego build-a-thon! Free. More information: cmatekel@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.2184.

June 20: Anime/Manga Hang Out for Grown-Ups (ages 18+), 6-7:30 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Watch anime at Joplin Public Library and hang out with people with similar interests. Cosplay welcome but not required. Free. More information: sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.7953 x1030.

June 22: Joplin Goes to the Movies: On Moonlight Bay, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Bookhouse Cinema. Tomboyish Marjorie Winfield begins a relationship with William Sherman. Marjorie’s father has traditional views not shared by William, and she is forced to learn to dance, despite her and William’s shared love for baseball. This event is part of the Joplin sesquicentennial celebration. Free. More information: ptuttle@joplinmo.org, 417.625.4789.

June 23: Fishin’ Magicians (ages 5-12), 2-3 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Prepare to be amazed, entertained and to ask, “How did he do that?!” Children under nine must be accompanied by an adult. Free. More information: cmatekel@joplinpubliclibrary. org, 417.623.2184.

June 24: Camera Day, 1 p.m., CLA Creativity Lab. Explore the science behind cameras with the Creative Learning Alliance! Registration required; visit facebook. com/creativelearningalliance to register. Cost: $5. More information: neely@ creativelearningalliance.org, 417.850.7137.

June 26: Kindness Chapter Book Club (ages 8-12), 4-5 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Highlight kindness and community through Amy Timberlake’s Skunk and Badger and related activities. Each child will receive a free copy of the book. Free. More information: cmatekel@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.2184.

June 27: Interactive Sing-Along Movie (ages 4+), 5:30-7:30 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Enjoy some yummy snacks while you sing along! Free. More information: cmatekel@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.2184.

June 28: The Great Race, 4:30-8 p.m., Joplin City Hall. The 2023 Hemmings Motor News Great Race will bring 120 of the finest roadworthy antique and classic automobiles to downtown Joplin. This event is part of the Joplin sesquicentennial celebration. Free. More information: ptuttle@joplinmo.org, 417.625.4789.

June 29: Dog Day Afternoon (ages 6-12), 4-4:45 p.m., Joplin Public Library. Allows independent readers to practice their skills by reading to certified therapy dogs. Registration suggested; register in-person or by calling 417.623.7953. Free. More information: cmatekel@joplinpubliclibrary.org.

Exhibits:

June 29-July 31: Reflections of Hunger: Disordered Eating and Body Image Through Their Eyes, Joplin Public Library. Art showcase features the wisdom and lived experience of people in our community. Interested in submitting artwork to be featured in this exhibit? Free. More information: JECopeland@freemanhealth.com, 417.347.7500.

June 5-30: Flying In and Out of Joplin: A History of Joplin Airlines, Joplin Regional Airport. Stroll through the variations of passenger airline travel through Joplin airports in this exciting exhibit presented by the Freedom of Flight Museum. This event is part of the Joplin sesquicentennial celebration. Free. More information: ptuttle@joplinmo.org, 417.625.4789.

June 5-29: Cyclical Nature by Melissa Cowper-Smith and Jessica Mongeon, Missouri Southern State University Spiva Art Gallery. Artists Melissa Cowper-Smith and Jessica Mongeon share an appreciation for nature that is expressed through their artwork. Free. More information: bentley-c@mssu.edu, 417.625.3066.

June 1-30: Art at Plant Parenthood, Plant Parenthood 417. Plant Parenthood, a store that helps people experience, grow and decorate with plants, is not only dedicated to plants, but to local artists. Free. More information: plantparenthood417@gmail.com.

Through July 15: Jim Mueller: Local Legacy, Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Spiva Center for the Arts, 212 W. 7th St. An exhibition to commemorate the life and work of renowned photographer, instructor and PhotoSpiva co-founder Jim Mueller. Free; donations appreciated. More information: jhenning@spivaarts.org, 417.623.0183.

Classes

June 3: Digital Portraiture with Rebecca Hayes (ages 15-20), 10 a.m.-noon, Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Spiva Center for the Arts. Bring your device equipped with Procreate to learn how to digitally paint beautiful portraits! Registration required; register at spivaarts.org/classes. $25. More information: jhenning@spivaarts.org, 417.623.0183.

June 3: Pencil Portrait Drawing with Rebecca Hayes (ages 15-20), 1-3 p.m., Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Spiva Center for the Arts. Registration required; register at spivaarts.org/classes. Cost: $25. More information: jhenning@ spivaarts.org, 417.623.0183.

Spiva Center for the Arts, 222 W. 3rd Street

Tuesdays: Creation Station (ages 6-11), 4-5:15 p.m. Painting, drawing, clay, collage, sculpture and more. Pre-registration recommended; register at spivaarts. org/classes. In advance $6, at the door $8. More information: jhenning@spivaarts. org, 417.623.0183.

RECURRING CLASSES:

Create N’ Sip Studios, 223 W. 3rd Street:

Wednesdays: Wine’d Down Wednesday, 5-9 p.m. Canvas and home decor DIY event. Choose the project that works for you. Prices vary depending on chosen project. $28-$58. Info: coleman@creatensip.com, 417.680.5434.

Saturdays: Saturday Morning Choose Your Canvas, 10 a.m. Select the painting you want to recreate and let the experienced staff at Create N Sip help you make a masterpiece. Prices vary depending on chosen project. Cost: $28-$176. Information: coleman@creatensip.com, 417.680.5434.

Local Color Art Gallery & Studio, 1027 S. Main Street: Call the gallery at 417.553.0835 to sign up.

Every Tuesday: Beginner’s watercolor class, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., $20. Bring your own supplies. Ages 8 and up.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday: 2 p.m., $20. Improve your painting and learn principles of design. Bring your own watercolor, oils or acrylic paint.

June 9: Watercolor, 1-3 p.m. All supplies furnished; $30.

June 17: Saturday Paint Class, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., $30, includes all supplies and ice cream cone from Caroline’s; ages 8 and up; paint Monet or Van Gogh.

June 30: Silk Screen and Glass Suncatcher, 4-6 p.m. $35, includes all supplies; ages 8 and up.

Neosho, MO

June 14-18: Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins Jr., Crowder College. Summer musical. More information: natashaobriendavies@crowder.edu, 417.455.5458.

Connect 2Culture

welcomes two touring performances this month and both will have you ready to move and sing along.

BritBeat - A Tribute to the Beatles

It was 23 years ago that BritBeat producer and performer (he portrays Paul McCartney) Chris Getsla was preparing for his high school variety show. But it wasn’t just your average school show. “It was a theatrical event with specialty lighting brought in, and it was a big deal,” Getsla said. “You had to audition to be in it.”

Getsla and some friends had just started playing music and decided to audition for the show. He was inspired after seeing another tribute band and wondered how he could do it better. “We got some black turtlenecks and I had saved up some money for some guitars and we played ‘She Loves You.’ The faculty judges loved it.” The next year no audition was necessary, and the teachers said, “We want you to do Sgt. Pepper’s, and yes, the crowd went wild. I started to think we might be onto something good.”

It was Getsla’s parents who suggested the Beatles’ music to their son when he was in the seventh grade and needed to find a musician and a song to study for his music class. “They told me ‘you can’t go wrong with the Beatles’ and I was like ‘Who?’ They told me to listen to ‘A Hard Day’s Night,’” Getsla said. “I wasn’t really into music, but the Beatles’ music just resonated with me. Even though I didn’t grow up with them, I was hooked.”

The friends began researching and learning all they could about the Beatles and started to piece together the show audiences are now seeing and enjoying. “It is a tribute show and we are performing as the band,” Getsla said. “We cover their work all the way from the beginning to Abbey Road. There are multiple costume changes and a multi-media presentation that follows with our performance. A lot of people don’t remember that it was a very short period of time the Beatles actually toured their show. It was only two years and then they went into the studio to do Sgt. Pepper’s and beyond. Our show goes through the whole history.”

Here’s what’s on for June:

Based out of Austin, Texas, A’lante Flamenco strives to present flamenco music and dance to audiences in a new and exciting way. By blending traditional and contemporary flamenco, the group produces popular flamenco shows as well as innovative, multimedia flamenco theatrical works that address relevant social issues and surpass cultural and linguistic boundaries.

Artistic director and choreographer Olivia Chac’on and her partner and music director Isai Chac’on formed the company in 2011 after spending five years in Sevilla and Madrid, Spain, studying with some of the premiere flamenco artists there. Olivia Chac’on studied flamenco for 20 years prior to their travels to Spain.

“We intend to provoke an emotional response through the music and the dance,” Olivia Chac’on said. “We have a lot of details that come through with facial expressions and hand gestures, and one of my favorite parts of the evening is meeting the audience afterward and hearing what their emotional response was.”

The company will perform their program titled Love Letters for the Joplin audience. “Each piece is about a different kind of love and in the styles that are close to our hearts,” Olivia Chac’on said. “It comes through to people even if they are not familiar with flamenco at all. Some people relate to the music, some to the dance, but it is all about the emotion that is brought through you and your response.”

There are four musicians and three dancers traveling to Joplin, and Olivia Chac’on is quick to say the musicians are integral performers to the show. “They are very involved and they’re not just a backup band,” she said. “We’re eager to come and sing and dance for y’all. We like to educate the public about this art form and tell stories about it.”

The performance runs about 75 minutes and is a visual treat to all. “There are very rare minutes without dance in this show,” Olivia Chac’on said. “We’re driving to Joplin with so many costumes and musical pieces. We hope you like it.”

How will we identify Olivia Chac’on on the stage? “I’m usually the one in the middle,” she said. “And I tend to shout a lot. This is typical of flamenco; there is a lot of improvisation and the leader is shouting the next number or style of dance.”

And what road trip food will she be snacking on? “Austin is known for barbeque,” she said. “But we’d like to try some different versions of it along the way through Oklahoma and when we get to Joplin. Be

The true attraction to the Beatles for Getsla is the fact they did it all. “The magic of the Beatles is that they wrote all of their own music and performed it,” he said. “Next year is the 60th anniversary of the Beatles’ appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, so we’re going to keep playing the music and touring our show.”

A’lante Flamenco

In addition to A’lante Flamenco’s public performance, Connect2Culture will host a Flamenco Music & Dance Workshop with them the night before on Friday, June 23, at 7 p.m. This is an introductory workshop and no experience is necessary. Ticket holders receive discounted admission to the workshop ($3 for ticket holders, $6 for non-ticket holders). Tickets can be purchased for both events at the Cornell Complex box office.

Want to Go?

June 24, 2023 • 7 p.m.

Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Beshore Performance Hall

Tickets: $20-$25

Series: Cornell Series

Want to Go?

June 17, 2023 • 8 p.m.

Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Leggett & Platt Green

Tickets: $30-$35 Series: Curtains Up Series

NOTE: Attendees may not bring their own chairs to the concert. Chairs are provided by Connect2Culture. You may bring a blanket for ground sitting if you prefer.

thinking of where we should go when we get there.”

Where it’s ‘COOL’ to be YOU!

Visit these local establishments to experience a variety of creative events this summer:

JOPLIN ARTS DISTRICT NEWS - A snapshot of news, events and activities happening in June.

Art Exhibits, Theater and Music

Connect2Culture, 212 West Seventh Street:

• June 3: Grammy Award-winning The Okie Dokie Brothers (best for ages 5-10) outdoors on the Green

• June 17: BritBeat: A Tribute to the Beatles, “a trip back in musical history from beginning to break up,” outdoors on the Green

• June 24: A’lante Flameco, from Austin, Texas For ticket information and other details, call 417.501.5550. All performances are held in the Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex.

First Thursday ArtWalk with eight locations June 1 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in downtown historic Joplin. Artists, musicians and host businesses offer a pleasant evening of local arts viewing, purchasing and listening. Find a map of locations posted on Facebook/ firstthursdayartwalkjoplinEvents.

Local Color Art Gallery, 1027 South Main Street, has painter Barb Hicklin teaching beginning watercolor (ages 8 and up) every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. $20 walk-in and bring your supplies. Walk-in or RSVP 417.553.0835.

Spiva Center for the Arts, inside the Cornell Complex, 212 West Seventh Street: Enjoy the following shows in four galleries:

• June 10: “Quapaw Nation 151” and the exhibit “Flash Points: Material, Intent, Fused.” Also see “Jim Mueller: Local Legacy,” celebrating the life and work of renowned photographer and instructor

• June 16: Opening of works by Charles Banks Wilson

Third Thursdays street festival is an outside, downtown community event on Main Street from First through Seventh streets. Learn more at www.Facebook.com/ JoplinThirdThursday. Join us June 15, 5:30-8:30 p.m., where you can enjoy music, entertainment, food trucks and artisan crafts.

Urban Art Gallery, 511 South Main Street: Painter Deana Markus of Aurora exhibits “Forms, Farms, and Fancifuls” during June. Meet Deana June 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Bars, Restaurants and Shops

Beast & Barrel, 530 South Main Street: During June, enjoy Carthage watercolor artist Cheryl Church with her paintings “Cars along Route 66“ and “Splash” in colored pencil. Meet Cheryl June 1 from 6-8 p.m.

Blackthorn Pizza and Pub, 510 South Joplin Avenue hosts Stand Up Comedy Open Mic 8:30 p.m. each Sunday. Singer/ songwriter Open Mic on the second Wednesday at 8 p.m. All ages until 10 p.m., no cover.

Brew Pub & Parlor, 813 South Main Street holds karaoke every Tuesday, 8 p.m., 21+, no cover. Jam nights on Thursdays, 7 p.m. Catch a free comedy show the last Friday of every month.

Chaos Brewing Company, 122 South Main Street: Play free Trivia Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

Club 609, 609 South Main Streets presents the photographs of Koral Martin with “Look Deep Into Nature” during June. Meet Koral June 1 during First Thursday Artwalk, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Club XO, 502 South Joplin Avenue: Fridays are Ladies Night.

Joplin Avenue Coffee Company, 506 South Joplin Avenue: June exhibit “On the Beaten Path” with local photographer Mike Ritzman. Meet Mike June 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Plant Parenthood, 528 South Main Street presents artwork from artists Marta Churchwell, Merlen White, Connie Miller, Brent Skinner and others. Meet the artists June 1 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Whiskey Dick’s, 516 South Joplin Avenue: Outdoor music on Fridays/Saturdays.

Xscape Bar, 532 South Joplin Avenue: Thursdays-Saturdays music and dancing.

Blackthorn Pizza & Pub 510 S. Joplin Ave Joplin, MO 417.623.2485

Facebook: @ BlackthornPizza&Pub

Blackthorn Pizza & Pub is a welcoming and inclusive Irish pub in the heart of downtown Joplin. This hip spot is famous for its delicious food, huge beer selection on tap, the area’s best live music and unforgettable drag shows. Follow Blackthorn on Facebook for upcoming events. Open 7 days a week and now also open for lunch Thursday through Monday.

Countryside in the City is one of the leading florists in Joplin for fine, quality roses, flowers, plants and gifts for every occasion. Let our experienced designers and staff create a one-of-a-kind gift you will love. We also offer beautiful custom-designed wedding flower arrangements including wedding bouquets, centerpieces and boutonnieres. Open Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm and Saturday 9 am-1 pm. Convenient parking.

As summer starts to heat things up, Carthage has much to see and do along with lots of shopping!

The Carthage Chamber of Commerce, along with MSSU’s Small Business Development Center, hosted the inaugural women’s event, EmPowering Women in Business Leadership Conference May 10. Over 50 local Carthage women business leaders came together. They heard about ways to enhance their businesses, develop skills to enhance their jobs and they heard different ways marketing can improve their business. During lunch, Julie Reams, Carthage Chamber of Commerce president, presented Jeannette Clem, executive vice president of Southwest Missouri Bank, Carthage market president, and the head of operations, the EmPOWERing Women in Business Leadership Award. This award will be presented each year to a Carthage woman who has been a leader in her company or business to empower other women to demonstrate a strong work ethic and community involvement. Follow the Carthage Chamber of Commerce on social media or visit their website at www. carthagechamber.com to learn how to be involved with other women’s events planned.

It’s that time of year: the Rodeo is back June 9 and 10 at the Carthage Saddle Club Arena. Gates open nightly at 6 p.m. with Muttin Bustin’ beginning at 7:30 p.m. Other activities include saddle bronc, team roping, calf scramble and more. Go to Carthage Stampede on Facebook to learn more.

To learn about more events, shopping, places to see and things to do, visit www.carthagechamber.com or call 417.358.2373.

Race Brothers Farm & Home Supply

2309 Fair Lawn Dr.

417.358.3529

Race Brothers carries a complete line of farm and home supplies including clothing, electrical, plumbing, lawn and garden, outdoor power equipment, tools, truck accessories, pet supplies, cattle-handling equipment, farm fencing and toys. Dedicated to providing the Carthage area with quality service and products for over 40 years. You’ll like the way we do business…tell a friend!

Bailey’s Family Dining

F or a family-style dining experience with a menu that caters to everyone’s needs, look no further than Bailey’s Family Dining and Bailey’s bar, The Pour House, in Carl Junction, Missouri. Kristina and Kenneth Dunlap are the owners, and they prepare every dish with care, attention to detail and a passion for cooking. Kristina says dining at Bailey’s is like visiting your grandma’s house, where nobody ever goes hungry.

With a menu that ranges from burgers and pasta to steaks and desserts, Bailey’s has a little bit of everything. On top of that, their daily specials offer even more variety, and they’re always willing to whip up something off-menu if they have the ingredients. If you have dietary restrictions, don’t worry - they’re happy to make alternatives for gluten-free and low-carb diets.

Bailey’s offers a variety of daily specials, and I had the pleasure of trying several. The sourdough burger is a must-try - it’s a delightful fusion of a Reuben sandwich and a hamburger, topped with mushrooms, onions, bacon and a delicious Thousand Island dressing. The swordfish with cauliflower rice and perfectly grilled zucchini was also excellent. For a low-carb option, try the cauliflower crust chicken alfredo pizza. From the regular menu, I highly recommend the nachos with pulled pork, gooey cheese and spicy jalapenos, and don’t forget to order the crispy, perfectly seasoned onion rings.

We ended our tasting like any Bailey’s fan would, with Kristina’s homemade pies. The s’mores pie with roasted marshmallows was absolutely fantastic, as was the creamy lemon pie. But the real star of the show was the cinnamon roll cheesecake, a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Bailey’s Family Dining is not only a great spot for a family-friendly meal or a romantic date night, it’s also my family’s favorite go-to when we don’t feel like cooking at home but want to stay close to home and have made-from-scratch dishes. The owners and staff treat us like family, always going above and beyond to make us feel welcome and satisfied. If you’re not lucky enough to live in the neighborhood, Bailey’s Family Dining and The Pour House are worth the trip to Carl Junction. Located at the corner of Fir Road and Briarbook Drive, it’s easy to find and well worth the visit. Bailey’s is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.

ShowMe Dining Guide

Just A Taste

105 S. Main St. • Webb City, MO 417.673.9463 • www.justatastemo.com

Just A Taste Webb City has a plethora of incredible spaces for you to try out. Every time you come in, you can have a unique experience. Visit our tasting room, which features our own wine made in St. James, Missouri. Or, join us for dinner in our intimate restaurant or indoor courtyard, where we feature a farm-to-table menu. Or, stop in for a drink in our cozy cocktail bar featuring an inventive cocktail menu and hundreds of beer and spirits. $$-$$$. Check Facebook for hours.

Finn’s

2707 E. 32nd Street • Joplin, MO 417.624.3466 • www.finnsjoplin.com

Finn’s is a semi-fine dining restaurant that caters to all your dining desires. Enjoy our dog-friendly patio and warm, inviting fireplaces. From our uniquely crafted cocktails, farm-fresh ingredients and Joplin’s best in-house bakery paired with our elegant, intimate atmosphere for small gatherings or a night out. Finn’s chefs are experts in their craft, with just the right touch to make your restaurant experience special. $$-$$$

Hours: Monday -Saturday: 11 am-9 pm

Sunday: CLOSED

1201

Club 1201

E. 32nd Street • Joplin, MO

club1201.com

Now serving Joplin’s best brunch! Homemade beignets, pastries, biscuits and gravy, peppered bacon, eggs and parmesan fried potatoes and more! For lunch, enjoy your favorite appetizers, “out-of-this-world” salads, seasoned breads and your choice of dressing, soup du jour, sandwiches from burgers to apricot turkey and over 30 other choices! We offer a full service catering menu for private parties, business meetings and special events.

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 11 am-3 pm; Friday: 11 am-10 pm; Saturday and Sunday: 9 am-2 pm

Taste of Italy

4321 S. Chapel Road • Carthage, MO

417.358.2000

“The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later, you’re hungry again.” Taste of Italy serves up delectable, authentic Italian food with new specials almost daily. Owner and Head Chef Aleks Sula was born in Albania and raised in New York City, so he brings 20-plus years of experience in traditional Italian and Mediterranean cooking to his menu. You can expect made-from-scratch bread, sauces, pasta and more. $-$$

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am-9 pm; Sunday, 11 am-3 pm

Mis Arcos

1926 S. Garrison Ave. • Carthage, MO 417.237.0547

For the delicious authentic Mexican food you crave, there’s no place like MisArcos. We offer great choices, from our mouthwatering quesadillas to sizzling fajitas to massive burritos. There’s a reason we were voted Best of the Four States for Mexican food! Did we mention our two for $5 margaritas? Mis Arcos is the home of great food, fun times and lots of laughs! $-$$

Hours: Mon-Wed, 11 am-9 pm; Fri, 11 am-9:30 pm; Sat/Sun 11 am-9 pm

Kascade Steakhouse

988 S. Country Club Rd • Carthage, MO 417.553.7357 • Like us on Facebook!

Kascade Steakhouse is Carthage’s newest spot for a delicious bite to eat. The chef is an expert in gourmet steaks, steakburgers, salmon and Italian food – his authentic alfredo is to die for. Come in on Fridays for the prime rib special. Under the same owners as Midway Café in Bartlesville, OK, where we are serving up the breakfast you have come to know and love. Dining room and lounge accommodates groups, events and weddings. $-$$

Open Tuesday-Saturday 4-9 pm

Sam’s Cellar Bar & Oven

101 N. Wood • Neosho, MO 417.451.3330 • www.samscellar.com

Sam’s Cellar offers a unique dining experience under the historic square in Neosho, MO. Enjoy gourmet wood-fired pizzas, burgers, wings, wraps, subs or a specialty salad. The full bar offers signature cocktails, draft beers and wine to wet your whistle. Come visit us at Sam’s Cellar for a dining experience you will never forget! $-$$

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11 am-Close

Haven 55

408 Havenhurst Drive • Pineville, MO 417.223.2055 • www.haven55.com

Haven 55 is a cozy country restaurant with a magnificent view, delicious homestyle food and exceptional service. The culinary masterpieces from Owner and Executive Chef Alan Bone cannot be beat. You will love the New York strip steak with blue cheese cream sauce, the fried green beans, and you don’t want to miss Wednesday night prime rib! Located on the site of the old Havenhurst Mill, built in 1868, this historical restaurant overlooks the dam on Little Sugar Creek. $-$$$

Hours: Tues-Sat for lunch 11 am-2 pm, and dinner 5 pm-9 pm

ShowMe Dining Guide

Hackett Hot Wings

520 S. Main • Joplin, MO 417.625.1333 • www.hacketthotwings.com

“The only wings better are on an angel.” Offering 13 flavors of wings, plus salads, catfish, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, boneless wings and more! Call for catering and reservations. Now offering an additional dining area and sports room with 17 big-screen TVs and full bar featuring Coach Hackett’s Ultimate Bloody Mary. Check out the online store at hacketthotwings.com. (Smoke-free) $-$$

Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11 am-9 pm; Fri-Sun, 11 am-10 pm; Mon-Wed Lunch Specials, 11 am-2 pm; Mon-Wed Happy Hour, 3-6 pm.

Club 609 609 Main Street • Joplin, MO 417.623.6090

“Treat your appetite to a GOURMET DELIGHT served ‘Joplin style’.” Flavorful specialties for any occasion, featuring salads, burgers and sandwiches. Delicious entrees – beef, chicken, pork, seafood and seven “pastabilities!” Offering appetizers, homemade desserts, soup du jour, beer, wine and mixed drinks. Kids menu available. $-$$$

Hours: Kitchen open Monday-Friday 11 am-10 pm Saturday 11 am-10:30 pm • Bar open later

Red Onion Café

203 E. 4th • Downtown Joplin, MO 417.623.1004 • www.redonioncafe.com

Casual urban dining in historic downtown Joplin since 1995. Famous for fresh salads, smoked chicken dip, burgers, pasta, grilled fish and steaks. The menu has a wide variety of gluten-free, low-carb and keto-friendly items. Extensive craft beer menu and wines by the glass. Full-service catering for groups large and small. Consistently voted “Best Restaurant” and “Best Menu” by 417 Magazine and The Joplin Globe. $-$$

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-9 pm

Undercliff Grill & Bar

6835 Old Highway 71 • Joplin, MO 417.629.2869 • www.theundercliffgrill.com

Undercliff Grill & Bar is back in business! This historical restaurant has been brought back to life under new ownership, so come by to grab a bite to eat and see what’s new. Chow down on some good old-fashioned comfort food or grab a beer at the bar. Undercliff Grill & Bar is the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, a date or a night out with friends and family. Follow Undercliff Grill & Bar on Facebook to learn more! $-$$.

Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 11 am-9 pm; Saturday, 9 am-9 pm; Sunday, 9 am-3 pm.

TRACKSIDE BURGERS & BBQ

Trackside Burgers & BBQ

1515 West 10th St. • Joplin, MO 417.717.1161

Trackside Burgers & BBQ offers freshly made items to order. Chef Mike and his staff offer the old-fashioned hamburgers everyone loves and more, from homemade sauces and seasoned fries to perfectly prepared chicken sandwiches and onion rings. Chef Mike wants to share his love for food and his heart to serve people. Call about catering for your next party or event! $-$$

Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 am-8 pm; Saturday, 11 am-3 pm

Bailey’s Family Dining

1200 Briarbrook Dr. • Carl Junction, MO 417.781.2944 • Like us on Facebook!

Bailey’s restaurant offers a variety of home-cooked meals that are sure to satisfy. Enjoy one of our many delicious burgers with hand-breaded onion rings or try a pulled pork chimichanga. On the weekend, join us for breakfast where everything is made from scratch. From sweet to savory, we offer specialty pancakes, omelets and all your breakfast favorites. $-$$

Hours: Monday-Friday 11 am-10 pm; Saturday-Sunday 7 am-10 pm.

Casa Montez

4224 S. Main St. • Joplin, MO 417.624.2272

Casa Montez is back in business and ready to serve you! The team at Casa Montez is serving up all of your favorite recipes as before as well as their famous cheese dip. If you’re looking for the perfect Mexican cuisine including delicious tacos, enchiladas, fajitas and so much more, you must visit Casa Montez at their new location. Call ahead for your to-go order and conveniently pick up at the walk-up window. $-$$

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 am-8 pm

Shawanoe Restaurant

70220 East Hwy 60 • Wyandotte, OK 888.992 SKY1

Shawanoe Restaurant, located inside Indigo Sky Casino, is serving delicious award-winning chef creations daily. Bring your family and friends and enjoy delicious desserts, gourmet sandwiches, upscale salads, and a wonderful selection of pasta dishes. For the steak lover, mouth-watering steaks cooked to perfection. Everything to satisfy your appetite, plus your favorite beverage. Go to indigoskycasino.com for additional information. Located inside Indigo Sky Casino, Hwy 60 West of Seneca, MO. $-$$$

Joplin Chamber Banquet The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its 106th annual banquet April 27 at the Leggett and Platt Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus in Joplin, Missouri. Celebrating commitment and dedication in the business community, the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce honored its members for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the community by recognizing organizations and individuals. A total of 27 businesses were also honored for more than 10 years of membership in the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce.

1. Tara and Jerald Twitchell; Branco Enterprise

2. Nancy Hurshman and Natty Redd; Happy Hour Wax and Facial Bar 3. Angela Kennedy, Katrina Hermann, Courtney Hurn and Devin Hurn; Mercy 4. Brittany and Christopher Haper 5. Dr. T. Scott and Stacey Hamilton 6. Bethany Kendrick, Dr. Lisa Toms, Linda Eis, and Dr. Shellie Hewitt; MSSU 7. Brandon Watts and Amanda Romines; Augusta Bridal 8. Ruth and Andy Griffith

9. Faith and Jim Armstrong; Cowin Construction

10. Gina Langston, Tina Still, Emma Marsh, and Rikki Smith 11. Nanalva and Keenan Cortez 12. Linda Teeter, Ben and Whitney McNelly 13. Sue Dillmon and Barry Linduff 14. Randy and Shelly

Kraft 15. Sue Dillmon and Mandy Edmonson

16. Fallon Anawalt and Lauren Ferguson; Athena

Events 17. Lauren Gilbreth and Lisa Daniels

18. Paul Stachura 19. Lisa Kelly, Alyssa Brown, Stephanie McGrew, Erin Slifka, Melissa Williams and Reggie Powers

Left: Tammy and Van Benson

EVENTS Northeast OK

June 7-10: 12th Annual Commerce Days, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Commerce High School, 420 Doug Furnas Blvd., Commerce Live music, vendors and carnival by Great Plains Amusements. Wristbands nightly. For more information, call 918.675.4373.

June 8-11: Miami Little Theatre Presents Youth on Stage Seussical, 2 p.m. Miami Little Theatre, 117 North Main Street in Miami

“Oh, the thinks you can think!” Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical JR., a fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.

June 9-10: MAP Motorsports Monster Trucks, 7-11 p.m. Miami Fairgrounds, 1129 East SW, Miami

Don’t miss this batch of metal-munching superstars. Twelve of the nation’s top trucks will converge on Miami, Oklahoma, for all-out war! Only the best of the best has been invited this year: Toxic, Bad Habit, Barbarian, Wildside, Tailgator 2.0, Bad Decision and Jurassic Attack.

June 16-18: 26th Annual Peoria Powwow, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Inside the Peoria Showplace, 1000 Buffalo Run Blvd., Miami

For general information, contact Charla EchoHawk or Cultural Preservation Staff at 918.540.2535. We would love to see you there!

June 17: 8-Man Football All-Star GameOEMFCA 50th Anniversary Celebration, 6-10 p.m. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, 200 I Street NE, Miami

The City of Miami’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, in conjunction with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and the Oklahoma Eight Man Football Coaches Association, host the Oklahoma 8-Man All Star Football Week in Miami, Oklahoma. Eighty of the top players from across the state will arrive in Miami for a full week of activities. For more information, call 918.542.4435.

July 15: Direct from Branson, all the Platters’ music! 7 p.m. Coleman Theatre, Miami

Eddie Stovall and Willie Nash are together again performing the music they are famous for: “Only You,” “Remember When,” “The Great Pretender,” “Harbour Lights,” “Twilight Time, “ “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “ My Prayer.”

Tickets: Adults $22, seniors $18, students $13, plus tax and fees. Grove, OK

June 3: Lendonwood Gardens, 5:30 p.m. 1308 Har-Ber Road, Grove

Enjoy a delicious buffet dinner by Timbered-In Catering at the popular Garden Party fundraiser with music by the talented Jerry Ruzicka, and a fun silent auction. Who knows what treasures you’ll find? Tickets are $60 per person, and they can arrange reserved tables for eight.

June 8-10: American Heritage Music Festival-Grand Lake National Fiddle Fest, Har-Ber Village Museum and Snider’s camp, 4404 West 20th Road, Grove. Thursday evening, Friday 1-6 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m.-7 p.m. make plans to attend the American Heritage Music Festival for the Grand Lake National Fiddle Festival. Contest divisions Friday and Saturday will be held at Har-Ber Village. For more information, call 918.786.6446

June 15-18: 6th Annual Toes in the Grand Festival, Grove’s Wolf Creek Park. Enjoy this free, fun festival with great music, food, beer garden, vendors, carnival, semi-truck show, boat racing and a large fireworks display! Contact the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce at 918.786.9079, visit ToesInTheGrand.com website or check out the “Toes in the Grand Festival” Facebook page.

Dates and times are subject to change.

Please call the Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau at 918.542.4435 to confirm.

151st Quapaw Powwow is All About Celebrating Rich History, Traditions

In early July, the 151st Quapaw Powwow takes center stage as people come from near and far to converge on Quapaw, Oklahoma, where connecting the past to the present and preserving a rich history remains as vital as ever for this tribe of Native Americans.

Melany Shawnee, who is taking charge of all the powwow activities within the tribe following her husband’s (Mike Shawnee) untimely death earlier this year, says, “It’s a celebration of who we are as a people. “It was originally a picnic celebrating our tribe and that we survived. We were a tiny tribe. We’re so proud of all the families that come here from California and Texas, really all over the country, to be here.” In providing a sense of what takes place at the powwow, Shawnee says the first day (July 1) is considered “Quapaw night, and we will have specials and family songs to honor those who have passed away, as well as veterans and graduates.

“There will be songs that not a lot of people know. It will be a lot of old, traditional songs. There will also be gourd dancing. It will go to midnight or so.”

As the powwow continues with four nights that are jam-packed with wide-ranging entertainment, children take the spotlight July 2, with women’s dances July 3 and the men showing off their fancy footwork July 4.

“This year, there will be a lot of special contests held by Quapaw families,” Shawnee said. “Several different things have been added into the program.”

Shawnee believes one thing that makes this so special is getting those who are not Native Americans involved. “We ask those who are not Indians to come out and dance with us.

“They try to mimic our dances. We just love it so much. We just want this all to be so much fun for everyone at the powwow.”

Shawnee takes pride that this is such a big part of who she is today and always has been, and she says, “I grew up within a mile of the powwow grounds. My dad was tribal chairman for many years and helped to put on the powwow. Also, my uncles were powwow chairmen.

“I married within my tribe, which was important to me. And my husband became powwow chairman and was also elected to serve on the business committee. We just love to serve our people, be involved and help wherever we can.

“I learned from my great aunts how to cook our traditional foods. Also, I watched my great uncle and dad practice our traditional burial ceremonies.”

Along with all the performances that will be such a big part of the powwow all four days, there should be plenty of food trucks and lots of arts and crafts vendors helping make this an incredible celebration.

Shawnee is thrilled to be part of it all. “It makes me happy to walk through the camps and smell campfires and cedar burning. I know I’m home and it’s comforting to me.”

151st Quapaw Powwow

Fast Facts

When:

Saturday, July 1-Tuesday, July 4

Where: Quapaw Nation – Beaver Springs Park, 5681 & 630 Road, Quapaw, OK 74363

For More Information: Contact Melany Shawnee at Melany.shawnee@quapawnation.com

POWWOW PERSONNEL

Head Singer: JR Ross; Head Man: Derrick Shawnee; Head Lady: Julia Byrd; Emcee: Marty Thurman; Head Gourd Dancer: Chissoe Brown; CoArena Directors: Dennis Little Axe and Tony Shawnee; Northern Drum: Young Bear, Mandaree, ND; Host Gourd Clan: Quapaw Nation Gourd Clan

POWWOW PRINCESSES

Incoming 2023 Quapaw Powwow

Princess: Elaina Suzanne Shield; Outgoing 2022 Quapaw Powwow

Princess: Nizhoni Tsosie-Hamilton; 2022-2023 Quapaw Nation Princess: Emma McKibben; and 2022_2023 Junior Quapaw Nation Princess: Mia Forbis

Spotlights Oklahoma Business

Har-Ber Village Museum

4404 W. 20th St. • Grove, OK

Email: Info@HAR·BERVILLAGE.com

www.HAR-BERVILLAGE.com • 918.786.6446

New Life Spa

2086 S. Main • Grove, OK • 918.948.2758

www.mynewlifespa.com

New Life Spa is excited to have expanded with more space and more offerings. Joining the team is Lora Thompson, who is both a massage therapist and esthetician, and Stacy Clark is a physical therapist offering stretch therapy. Also, Patricia Williams from the VIP Skincare on Monkey Island will also be available one day a week to do facials using award-winning Eminence Organic skincare products. Along with our expansion, we are now able to offer several different ozone therapies and frequency therapy. We look forward to serving others and sharing Christ through the talents God has given us.

A visit to this quiet lakeside village will take you on a nostalgic journey into the past. Har-Ber Village Museum celebrates the bygone era of pioneer life in Oklahoma. Multiple log cabins house eclectic collections of antiques, and frequent living-history demonstrations bring the times alive for visitors. Remember the past, celebrate the present, imagine the future! Open the third Saturday in March through the first Saturday in November. Hours 9 am-3:30 pm, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Lendonwood Gardens

One mile west of Main St. on Har-Ber Road 918.786.2938 • www.lendonwood.com

Don’t miss the springtime colors of Lendonwood Gardens, an 8-acre botanical garden in Grove. You’ll enjoy beautiful azaleas, rhododendrons, daylilies, dogwoods, peonies and more! Stop by the Oklahoma Garden for regional plant ideas, and check out the Japanese Pavilion overlooking the Koi pond. You’ll see why Lendonwood offers the perfect backdrop for weddings, photography and special events. Open year-round from dawn to dusk.

Zena Suri Alpacas

35401 S. 580 Road • Jay, OK • 804.389.2579

www.zenasurialpacas.com

Meet Flora. She’s curious about you and produces magnificent fiber we make into some of the most luxurious and lustrous yarn in the world. She is a Suri Alpaca, and even among alpacas that is a rare breed. Meet her, touch her, hand feed her and the other 49 alpacas at Zena Suri Alpacas near Grand Lake, Oklahoma. Call 804.389.2579 for reservations. And don’t forget Stiggy the Llama. It’s an experience you won’t forget.

Packed with savory, sweet, tangy and crunchy flavors, this chicken salad recipe is the perfect addition to any bridal shower spread. And the best part? You can make it your own by adding sliced tomatoes, crispy bacon, apples or even some crumbled blue cheese if you’re feeling adventurous.

Chicken Salad Bliss

INGREDIENTS

1 rotisserie chicken, shredded

2 celery stalks, chopped

3 green onions, chopped

2 cups grapes, halved

3/4 cup mayonnaise

DIRECTIONS

1/4 cup sour cream

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken, chopped celery, green onions and halved grapes.

In a separate small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice and brown sugar until well combined.

Season the dressing with salt, pepper, minced dill and cayenne powder to taste.

Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir until everything is well combined.

Salt and pepper to taste

3 tablespoons fresh dill, minced

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder

Stir in the toasted and chopped pecans. Refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Serve the chicken salad over a bed of lettuce, on flaky croissants or layered between puff pastry squares.

Enjoy!

A Matter of Trust A Matter of Trust

Instilling a sense of community in the Four States Instilling a sense of community in the Four States

You watch them every day and see them in the community.

Now it’s time to get to know your local television personalities even better. Whether you’re an early bird watching the morning news, stay up late to watch the evening news or catch their broadcast throughout the day, this cast is committed to delivering what’s happening in our community. They are funny, quirky, down to earth and committed.

We hope you learn something new about your favorite television personality in this special feature.

Gary Bandy

Co-Host, Living Well, KSN

Gary Bandy has been in broadcast for over 50 years. Despite being the chief meteorologist for over a decade, Gary is not and never has been a “weather nerd.”

“I am a music nerd and that’s why I chose broadcasting as a career,” said Gary. “When I was 17 years old, I chose radio as a career because I erroneously believed I would get paid to listen to music eight hours a day. That’s not the way it works, but I still loved the work.”

After working in several areas of television, Gary is now the co-host of Living Well and loves working with his coworkers. He and his co-anchor, Shelby Neely, have such great chemistry, and they are both the genuine article.

“We’ve got some of the best people in the business and I’m honored to be able to work with them,” he said. “I also truly appreciate the ability to inform the public on ways they can live well by volunteering and finding ways to help those in our community who need the help.”

Gary says the new studio at KSN 16 allows them to take Living Well to the next level.

Shelby Neely Living Well Co-host and Business Showcase host

Shelby Neely’s personality shines bright, making her the perfect co-host of Living Well and host of Business Showcase. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to visit with Shelby, you know she is passionate about sharing people’s stories, alongside her co-host, Gary Bandy.

“I love learning about the interesting and giving people in our area,” said Shelby. “And I especially enjoy getting to work with Gary Bandy! He’s just as kind and in tune to people and as funny as you see him on tv.”

Shelby always knew she wanted to be in front of the camera for her broadcasting career. “I had a class in high school where I was told I was kind of like Oprah and boy, did that light a fire!” she said.

It’s Shelby’s goal to always bring out the best of the Four States, sharing all she can about ways others are helping in the community.

There is a running joke with the staff at KSN 16/KODE about knowing where Shelby is from.

“You can’t have a conversation with Shelby where she doesn’t mention Carthage, Missouri,” laughed Bobbie Pottorff, KSN 16/KODE news director. “Shelby is passionate about two things: the snack drawer in her desk and Carthage.”

Jessica Schaer

KSN 16 Weekday Evening Anchor

Jessica Schaer has been sharing stories about the people in our communities for over 10 years. As a KSN 16 weekday evening anchor, Jessica loves focusing on the good that’s happening in the community and finds joy in sharing special stories about special people who are doing good things in the world.

Jessica’s path to broadcast was not the straight and narrow. Throughout college, she achieved an associate degree in dance, a bachelor’s degree in communications and a second bachelor’s degree in meteorology. And while we’ve come to expect seeing her on television every night, Jessica still teaches dance to children ages 2-7 years old on Saturday mornings.

“I have danced my whole life and, although I never made it a career, I’m so grateful I get to teach it and inspire the next generation of dancers to fall in love with something I’ve been so passionate about my whole life,” said Jessica.

It’s Jessica’s goal to make a difference, wherever she goes. “I feel as though broadcast news gives me a good opportunity or platform to help achieve that,” she said. “I always hope maybe I helped someone with a news story, whether through sharing their story or through a story they watched.”

Jessica is married to her husband, Tyler Loggains, and loves her two dogs, Lisbeth and Mimi. Jessica is on the board of the Lafayette House, she is a CASA (court-appointed special advocate), and she’s also a HOPE 4 You Breast Cancer board member.

Chase Bullman

KSN 16 Meteorologist

Everyone says weather in the Four States is like riding a roller coaster, and that’s an accurate statement according to Chase Bullman, the chief meteorologist at KSN 16. He says his days can change quickly and often, and that’s what he loves most about his career. He enjoys the challenge of watching the trends of large-scale weather features and then sharing what’s coming with the viewers.

When he was a freshman in college, Chase had dreams of becoming a professional soccer player, but that all changed in 2011. “I was glued to the coverage of the super outbreak of April 27, 2011, all day long and thought to myself that this career has to be exciting,” said Chase. “As I was driving back to my hometown of Jackson, Mississippi, for summer break, the Joplin tornado happened and that caught my attention as well.”

Chase still loves soccer and watches as many matches as he can, but he gets to share his passion for the weather every day. Viewers can catch Chase on Living Well and KSN 16 Local News at 6 and 10, making sure the community is up to speed and prepared for any weather-related activity.

When Chase isn’t working, or working out (he’s really into CrossFit), he is busy being a dad and husband and loves being a part of the community.

Reporting stories that matter all over the Four States is what you will find Senior Reporter Gretchen Bolander doing every day.

“I love talking to different people and learning what is going on in the Four States,” she said. “It’s a chance to know the history and the politics, the charity and everything else that’s going on!”

Gretchen decided to work toward a job in television news just before graduating high school.

“After my junior year in college, I did an internship with a television station in Wichita and thought, ‘What am I doing? I don’t know how to do any of this,’ but I decided not to give up, and it all worked out,” she said.

It worked out so well, in fact, that Gretchen is now in her 28th year at KODE.

A fun fact about Gretchen you may not know is she jumped out of a plane last year, conquering her fear once and for all.

“I’ve talked for years about going skydiving and finally did it in 2022,” she said. “I’ll admit I was pretty nervous before the jump until I found out that a 96-year-old woman was in the group after me. I figured if she could do it, so could I.”

MIKE OLMSTEAD News Anchor at KODE TV

Mike Olmstead is no stranger to television, having been a part of the industry for the better part of the last 27 years. He spent most of his career covering sports and has had the privilege of covering a slew of fun and exciting events such as NCAA tournaments, a Little League World Series, the Kentucky Derby, a US Open and a PGA Championship, to name more than a few.

“Toward the end of 2010, I came to a point where I was tired of having whatever sports season was happening dictate my schedule, so I decided to make the move to news,” said Mike.

Now, you can catch him anchoring the KODE evening news. He has become a great journalist who has built trust and credibility with viewers.

Although Mike is a public figure, he actually considers himself a private person.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love being in front of people or interacting with them, but there are times when I simply want to be with my wife binge watching shows and visiting with my stepson, or watching my son pull tractors, and watching my daughter cheer for OU,” he said.

Mike has a great sense of humor, and he and his chief meteorologist, Ray Foreman, always give each other a hard time on the air.

Bubba Evansco

On-air Talent/Promotions Director KSN/KODE

Bubba Evansco believes he has the best of both worlds, and while his path to local television was unconventional, he gives credit to those who came before him.

“If it wasn’t for radio guys making the transition to television like Ray Foreman, Hank Rotten Jr. and Gary Bandy, the opportunity for us simply wouldn’t exist,” said Bubba. “Television all started by us filling in when they needed a hand. And with the continued support of station management, we’ve been so blessed to fulfill our mission of serving the Four State community.”

Bubba Evansco has been co-hosting Good Morning Four States for over four years now, alongside his friend and radio co-host, Howie Nunnelly. And the duo has been together on the radio for the last 20 years.

In 2022, Bubba also took over as promotions director for KSN 16 and KODE.

It was during his service in the U.S. Navy that Bubba had the opportunity to work on the Navy’s television and radio stations.

“It was during that time I developed a real love for entertaining,” he said. “I remember recording the radio as a kid and recording my own breaks to go in between the songs. So, I guess you can say I’ve wanted to do this my whole life, and I do consider this my dream job and love every minute of it!”

Howie Nunnelly

Host/Producer of Good Morning Four States, KODE

Howie Nunnelly wears many hats every day. He’s always been a radio guy, but for the past four years, he has been a part of Good Morning Four States (GMFS) alongside co-host Bubba Evansco. The two have worked with each other for over 20 years. In addition to co-hosting, Howie also produces GMFS. Once the morning show is over, Howie races over to the radio station to do his show there, and then he puts on his realtor’s hat. At that point, you would think his day would be over, but you’d be wrong. Howie will then return to work on Good Morning Four States, getting things ready for the next day.

And even though he’s crazy busy, Howie considers himself the lucky one.

“I can’t say enough about the love and grace people here have shown me,” he said. “If you are reading this, I want to say thank you; you have a piece of my heart and always will. I never want to be ‘too big’ for my hometown.”

Beyond all the hats he wears and the jobs he does, the thing Howie is most proud of is his community service. He participates and works with area service organizations, including Comedy for Camp for Soroptimist International of Joplin, the Boys and Girls Club, The Lafayette House, the Anti-Violence Project, Children’s Haven, and Empty Bowls for Watered Gardens, to name a few.

Tiffany Alaniz Morning Show and Noon News Anchor at KSN

Tiffany Alaniz started her career in Joplin in 1997, fresh out of college. She made Joplin her home and became one of the area’s most recognizable and trusted news anchors until 2013, when she returned to her hometown of Tulsa. It was during her time there that she gained more experience with hard-hitting, fast-paced news and really honed her skills. Tiffany recently returned to Joplin and currently anchors the Local News Today and Local News at Noon.

“It feels extremely special to be back on the air at KSN 16 since this is where I started as a rookie reporter,” she said. “Loyal KSN viewers watched me make mistakes, become a better journalist, grow up and even have a baby.”

As the morning show anchor, Tiffany feels blessed to be the first one viewers tune in to watch every day.

“It’s a hectic time of day in most homes with trying to get kids up and out the door and for people to get to work,” she said. “We work hard to make sure they have all of the news and weather information, so they start the day informed and ready to go.”

Tiffany loves meeting people and considers it a privilege to share their stories.

“Reporting was my first love in journalism and I’m happy I’ve been able to continue being out in the community talking to people and learning from them,” she said.

BRETT SCOTT Morning Meteorologist KSNFKODE

Brett Scott joined the KSN 16/KODE crew right out of college. He obtained his meteorology degree from one of the most battle-tested schools for meteorology, the University of Oklahoma in Norman. It is located on the fifth floor of the National Weather Center and is considered the best meteorological program in the country.

The dynamic weather of the area is what Brett loves most about working in this community. And while most people are sleeping at midnight, Brett is waking up and getting his day started. He is at work, preparing for both morning weather segments for KSN 16 and KODE by 2:30 a.m.

“I spend the early morning time creating weather segments for both morning shows, including writing captioning, setting up slides, writing a web story and recording segments for the national shows.”

He loves storm chasing and is unapologetic about his weather nerdiness. Brett gets very excited about severe weather situations and has learned so much from Chase Bullman and Ray Foreman. He is the new kid on the block, so to speak, and has developed a terrific rapport with his more experienced co-anchor of KSN 16’s Local News Today, Tiffany Alaniz. They joke that Tiffany began her career at KSN 16 in 1997, a couple of years before Brett was even born. The two make a great team.

Thesun is out and we are getting very excited for Second Tuesday in the Park to come back this month! Join us Tuesday, June 13, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Memorial Park on Pennell Street in Carl Junction. There will be food trucks, vendor booths, games, bounce houses, and the new splash pad in CJ will be

open! June’s theme is Sports Night sponsored by Kraft Insurance Services. Learn more on our Facebook page. June is extra special because Missouri Humanities will be in town filming the event for our Small Town Showcase marketing video. You don’t want to miss this event!

Alyssa Galvan’s music catalog focuses on songs she writes in the folk/Americana/ blues genres and reads like a seasoned pro’s catalog. And she is that, even at the young age of 17. Alyssa has been dedicated to music most of her life, thanks to the car radio’s introduction to a variety of musicians and styles. “I was always telling my parents what song or artist to put on,” she says. “As I got older, I began to find different artists and genres I had never heard before and really started exploring them.”

Alyssa Galvan

Marching to a Melody All Her Own

She discovered the tunes of Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and David Bowie and then began to explore the 1970s New York glam and punk scene, claiming “it remains one of my favorite genres still.” As things progressed and her interest deepened, she began songwriting after delving into the music of early 1900s blues artists like Son House, Blind Willie McTell and Bessie Smith. “When I was 12, I attended my first open mic night and I have been ever since,” Galvan says. “I had my first gig at 13.”

She attributes her success to her appearance at many more open mic nights and other opportunities. “I am extremely grateful and lucky to have had as many opportunities as I have had. It’s all about meeting people and sharing what you have with others, and each experience reaffirms this is the path I want to take, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

Next up for her is a small European tour with her youth blues/funk band, The International Crossroads Project, that will find them performing across France and Croatia.

The adage “Teamwork makes the dream work” is true for Galvan as she expresses gratitude for her parents and their support of her career. “I have incredibly supportive parents, and without them, I wouldn’t be where I am at all,” she says. “They travel with me gig to gig and help me with all my equipment and sound. My mom runs sound and has dedicated a lot of her own time to doing something that benefits me. I appreciate the both of them and couldn’t imagine doing all of this without them. I also have an incredible mentor, Justin Cauble, who is an incredible local musician. I can’t put into words how much I appreciate him.”

The process of writing is not always easy. “When it comes to writing songs, it all just comes and goes,” Galvan said. “Many of my songs have been written in a short time, like when I walk in the kitchen and something comes to me so I have to grab my guitar and write it down. You can’t rush it, though; ideas just come and go.”

And while she has come to accept that fact, it can still be a frustrating part of the business. She often finds herself in a love/hate relationship with herself and finds solace in knowing other artists experience the same. “Sometimes you feel inspired and sometimes you don’t and the times you don’t can last months. It’s a frustrating process, but I have slowly accepted these periods of time.”

That acceptance has led her to some incredible memories associated with the blues path she has chosen. “Playing with my band in the International Blues Challenge earlier this year in Memphis was an incredible time that opened several doors for me,” Galvan said, “As well as participating in the Pinetop Perkins Youth Workshop Masterclasses in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where I had the chance to share the stage with legendary Bob Margolin. I’m grateful for it all.”

Group

Each experience reaffirms this is the path I want to take, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Teacher Impact Award (Primary K-1) Elementary Teacher of the Year

Elizabeth Merrell

Carl Junction Primary K-1, Kindergarten Teacher

If your family had a daycare in your home growing up, it is likely you might have taken an interest in teaching school. That’s how it all started for Elizabeth Merrell. She would come home from school each day and set up makeshift desks to teach the daycare children. “I loved learning and I wanted to help everyone in my life learn, as well,” she said. “Ultimately, I decided for certain I was going to be a teacher when I was in the second grade. I can’t remember exactly what made me so certain, and maybe it was because in that grade I was becoming a better writer, but I wrote often that year about being a teacher when I grew up. I never changed my mind. I tutored throughout school and lots of babysitting, always looking for opportunities to connect with kids.”

Elizabeth grew up in Parsons, Kansas, where she attended school and then on to Pittsburg State University to obtain her Bachelor of Science in elementary education. She continued on and obtained her master’s in educational technology online through William Woods University, something she takes a lot of pride in receiving as she worked late nights from home with three young children while continuing to teach. “It was a hefty amount of work,” said Elizabeth. “I am grateful to have the extra knowledge and tools I gained, as I know it has impacted my teaching in a positive and powerful way.”

After 19 years of teaching kindergarten, Elizabeth is taking a big leap and will teach first grade for the first time next year. “I will keep my class, and we will move into first grade together,” she said. “I am beyond excited. I have always struggled saying goodbye at the end of a school year and letting go of my students.” While this is out of her comfort zone, she is excited to try something new. “The exciting thing about this is already knowing my kids so well,” she said. “We have such a bond, and we will just continue growing together. I will start with a new kindergarten class the following year and follow them into first grade as well, hence the term ‘looping,’ staying with a class two years and looping back around to start again.”

As this year’s Elementary Teacher of the Year and Teacher Impact Award recipient, Elizabeth loves the connections she makes with her students and enjoys seeing pride in their faces when they are learning. “I love making them feel happy and loved,” she said. “I love seeing them succeed and create dreams for themselves. I think most of all, I love feeling like I can make a positive impact on their lives.” It’s Elizabeth’s biggest hope that each of her students believes in their own abilities and themselves.

A couple of things you may not know about Elizabeth is she taught all of her own children in kindergarten. “I always felt a little extra pride each of those years being able to treat them as every other student in my room,” said Elizabeth. “I make sure I show every single student so much love that they feel as close to me as my own children.” Elizabeth also has dreams of becoming a writer someday. She has a love of children’s books and feels she has many stories dancing around in her head that she hopes to someday get the opportunity to put them down in writing.

Elizabeth makes it her goal on a daily basis to make learning fun; something her students have taught her. “I love letting them lead me, by finding things I know they enjoy to add to my teaching,” she said. “I make sure they feel heard.”

Outside of teaching, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her four children. She also enjoys hiking and going on walks with her family.

Amanda Royster

Carl Junction High School, 9-12 (Library Media Specialist)

Amanda Royster’s path to teaching started at a young age, when she was influenced by Anne of Green Gables from the age of four. “She was the first fictional character I remember falling completely in love with,” said Amanda. “I watched Anne of Green Gables on repeat with my grandmother, who babysat me while my mom was at work. I couldn’t get enough of her story. Anne was clever, hard-working, independent. She was a reader and eventually a teacher. She was, simply put, everything I wanted to be.”

Ultimately, it was Amanda’s high school language arts and gifted teacher, Anne Nicolas, who inspired her to teach. “She was brilliant--undoubtedly the most intellectually curious adult I had met at that point in my life,” said Amanda. “Even more impressive than her content knowledge was her ability to meet her students where they were and support them however she could. Before I walked into Ms. Nic’s room, my perception of the teaching profession was incomplete. Anne Nicolas showed me the why. She is why I am here, investing in kids in the same building she invested in me.”

District Teacher Year of the

Amanda hasn’t always been a library media specialist. She was a language arts teacher for 11 of her 12 years of teaching. When she made the change from the language arts classroom to the library this year, her biggest fear was that she would miss out on the student connections she forged in the classroom. Little did she know the move to the library would open a floodgate of opportunities to connect with even more students and, additionally, more teachers. “In the library, I hear the pulse of our building more clearly now, and I am so grateful to support and serve a broader audience of both students and teachers than ever before.”

There is no denying Amanda loves what she does, and it’s also no surprise she was named District Teacher of the Year. She has always been passionate about her content area and about reading, but it’s the students she gets to see every day that make her job worth getting up for in the mornings. “Investing in their success and helping them see how valuable they are is the most rewarding and meaningful part of my job,” said Amanda.

While it’s Amanda’s job to do the teaching, her students have definitely taught her a thing or two. “My students have taught me the importance

of taking time to see the full individual and not just what I think I have time for or what fits my personal agenda,” she said. “When I started teaching, I was hyper-focused on my curriculum. My ultimate priority was how much material we covered each day. What I failed to acknowledge was that students come to school every day weighed down by unimaginable burdens. My kids have taught me the importance of grace and the importance of being a dependable source of support and welcoming.”

Calling Carl Junction home is easy for Amanda. She values that the families here are relentlessly committed to their school and the quality of education their students receive. “The community’s investment in our district makes Carl Junction School’s commitment to excellence in education possible,” said Amanda. “As a teacher, I feel supported and valued, and as a parent and community member, I am proud of the school as a driving force of good in our community.”

Amanda’s biggest focus outside of school is her husband, Cameron, and daughter, Cora. Most days, she is driving her daughter back and forth from the dance studio where she is a company member. Amanda also sponsors Book Club at the high school, and she and her husband lead a pre-teen Sunday school class at their church.

Accountability, Camaraderie, Health and Friendship for Friends

They are partners at work and partners in health. Friends Liesl Barcus and Kara Mello are stepping up the pace in Carl Junction, where they live with their families and work as family and consumer sciences teachers at the high school.

“I love this town and the people in it,” Barcus said. “I’ve lived here my entire life and have worked in this job for six years. Kara and I realized we had a lot in common when we both signed up for not just one, but two, half marathons.” Thus began early morning runs and some accountability for both women as they worked toward a common goal. Barcus is quick to point out that running has not always been her thing. “I remember I signed up for the mile run on track and field day in the third grade, and I was too scared to back out,” she said. “Little did I know Carl Junction would be hit by a tornado and school was cancelled so no mile for me. My nine-year-old self was relieved!”

In college, Barcus decided she wanted to start running for her physical health. She started out easy and worked up to running 3.1 miles a day. “It felt good to run,” she said. “And I felt confident in my workout regimen.”

The 3.1 miles a day became a constant until Barcus announced to her husband Brad in October 2019 that “I am going to run a marathon in six months.” She worked up to running 19 miles in her training but

then came Covid in March 2020. “Long story short, I mapped out a 26.2-mile route through Carl Junction and ran my own marathon. I had some help from friends along the way and from my family, who made homemade signs and a finish line at my mailbox to run through. I won first place!”

Once school resumed, Barcus and Mello began their running friendship. “This is our first year working together, but we became fast friends,” Mello said. “Having Liesl as a running partner and friend has been wonderful. There are a lot of days it would be easy to skip it, but when you have a running buddy for accountability, it makes it a lot easier to get it done; and we are always glad to have pushed through.” Barcus agrees. “We have fun and it’s a great way to get our mental health in check and set us up to be our best. She gets me through the hard runs and encourages me along the way. I couldn’t ask for a better running partner,” she said. “As time goes on, you push yourself to hit milestones and watch yourself progress. We can do hard things. All in all, it brings me joy.”

While morning runs are their favorite, the friends have been spotted running all over town morning or afternoon, whenever they can fit it in. “Sometimes I have to push both kids in the stroller to get it done,” Mello said. “But health and wellness are important to me. I want to feel good and have energy. I have been running for about 12 years and it has been a major benefit for my mental health. It always makes me feel better and makes me feel free. Running with Liesl has made it more fun, and I am thankful for her and the time we spend running together.”

Ghetto Tacos

www.ghettotacos417.com • ghettotacos417@gmail.com 417.438.4592

Follow us on Facebook @GhettoTacosShop and @GhettoTacos417

What’s better than one taco from Ghetto Tacos? Two Ghetto Tacos! Our Ghetto Taco Shop in Webb City is open to serve you Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and of course, our Ghetto Tacos food truck is always around the community. We’re serving up all of your favorites, including our famous tacos available at the taco shop and food truck, and burritos and nachos available at the shop only. Keep an eye out for our specials that include quesabirria tacos and other delicious items. Follow along with us on Facebook to see where the Ghetto Tacos food truck will be, and don’t forget to book us for your summer events.

Community Bank & Trust

101 S. Main St. • Carl Junction, MO 417.439.5440 • www.cbthomebank.com

• Mike Brower-30-plus years of experience helping families purchase homes in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.

• Conventional, FHA, VA, RD and First Time Home Buyers Loans Available

• Mike Brower - NMLS# 612469

• CBT - NMLS# 580491

• Founded June 25, 1884

• Employee owned

• Absolutely free business and personal checking

• Auto and personal loans with same-day service available

Urban Art Gallery

Linda Teeter Owner / Photo Artist

511 S. Main St. • Joplin, MO • 417.438.5931

Urban Art Gallery is a unique gallery known for being “where the unusual is the norm and the norm is the unusual.” Owner and Photographer Linda Teeter showcases full-time local artists along with a feature artist every month from around the area. Located in the heart of downtown Joplin, you’ll find locally made art such as photography, paintings, jewelry, ceramics, fiber art, sculpture and more. Urban Art Gallery is part of First and Third Thursdays March through October. The gallery also offers classes and workshops and can be rented out for small events. Make their place yours!

Webb City Bamboo

209 N. Main • Webb City, MO • 417.673.5100

Follow on Facebook: @bamboowebbcity

Whether you’re in the mood for stir fry, crab Rangoon or the everpopular Springfield-style cashew chicken, Webb City Bamboo is where you want to be! They’ve been serving up your favorites since 1985. Owners Liesl and Brad Barcus have a long history with the business. It’s where they initially met in 2011, then worked and eventually purchased the restaurant in 2017. Webb City Bamboo offers specials each day and invites you to enjoy lunch or dinner next time you’re in the area. Locally owned and proud to be a part of the community.

Driftaway Day Spa

134 South Main • Carl Junction, MO • 417.529.0714

Let us pamper you with a luxury service at Driftaway Day Spa. We offer body massage, face treatments, manicures, waxing and lashes. Summer is here and we want to help you feel and look your best. Let your stress melt away with a facial and massage or get your nails ready with a manicure. Whatever your needs, we are here to help! Located in the heart of Carl Junction, Driftaway Day Spa is proud to be a part of the community. Call us to book your appointment at 417.529.0714.

Always Buying Books

5357 North Main Street • Joplin, MO • 417.781.1720

www.AlwaysBuyingBooks.com • Find us on Facebook!

The team at Always Buying Books can’t wait to help you find just what you’re looking for!

Over the course of 22 years in business, Owner Bob Wolfe and Manager Alyse Foley have built one of the largest inventories in the Midwest. With everything from Classics to Westerns, Always Buying Books is sure to have your favorite genre. We are proud to have been featured on NPR and voted one of “Missouri’s Best Bookstores” by multiple publications many times over. Come see us today! Monday-Friday, 9 am-6 pm; Saturday, 9 am-5 pm. Closed Sunday.

Small Town Barbershop

505 Pennell St. • Carl Junction, MO • 417.439.1329

At Small Town Barbershop, convenience is king. This is a men’s and boy’s barbershop where walk-ins are welcome, and you’ll always leave with a cut you’re happy with. You can trust owner and barber Pete Shephard – he was specially trained in men’s cuts. Small Town Barbershop offers a friendly, comfortable experience, and you’ll love relaxing in the vintage barber chairs, circa late-1930s.

Open Monday, 9 am-5 pm; Tuesday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm; and most Saturdays, 9 am-12 pm.

Joel’s Automotive

1106 Briarbrook Dr., • Carl Junction, MO • 417.649.5015

Joel and his team at Joel’s Automotive have proudly been serving their customers and neighbors in Southwest Missouri since 2014. With over 30 years of mechanical experience, Joel works hard to ensure his customers are taken care of for their automotive needs. Joel’s Automotive services all makes and models. His dependable, knowledgeable team is committed to serving the community. Family owned and operated, let Joel’s Automotive be your onestop shop for all your auto repair needs.

Joplin Floor Designs Joplin Floor Designs celebrated its 30th anniversary in business with a ribbon cutting May 11, which involved the Carl Junction and Joplin chambers of commerce. Duane and Holly Hukill, the owners of Joplin Floor Designs, celebrated with many friends and even family who came from out of town to celebrate. Joplin Floor Designs is located at 2309 East 32nd Street in Joplin, Missouri, and their specialty is all sizes of residential, retail and commercial projects for flooring, kitchens, bathrooms and quartz and granite countertops.

Carl

Junction

Community & Education Awards Banquet

The 22nd Annual Carl Junction Community & Education Awards Banquet, sponsored by 360 Auto Service, was held April 13 at The Cornell Complex in downtown Joplin. Over 200 attendees gathered to celebrate the community by honoring local businesses and organizations. The CJACC announced award winners for Business of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Citizen of the Year and more. The Carl Junction School District honored teachers with special recognition and awards of its own.

Carl Junction Sprinter Sydney Ward Blazing Path to Success

There’s no sibling rivalry with junior Carl Junction Lady Bulldogs track star Sydney Ward as her inspiration for competing in this sport came directly from her older brother, Lance Ward.

“I found interest in track and field after watching my brother,” Sydney says. “It began as something we could bond over. We would train together and go on runs before he left for college.”

“Sydney’s success is driven by the will to compete. She is such a competitor and gives it all her heart and soul.”

Sydney maintains a positive mindset and says, “I’m very blessed to have had such amazing opportunities in this sport. I work hard in practice, in the weight room and in training on my own.

“I love this sport and my passion for it has contributed to my success. Overall, I know God has gifted me and He’s the reason for my success.”

Coach Robertson says, “Sydney has become stronger mentally and physically. She is a multi-sport athlete and that helps her with mental preparations for anything she does. Sydney works hard in the weight room. She understands that working hard equals success for her team and herself.” She shows off her versatility and wellrounded athletic ability while competing in three sports. She says, “I’m an outside hitter in volleyball and I’ve played for about eight years.

“I just started swimming my freshman year. My best event was the 50-meter freestyle. I believe playing sports yearround helps keep me in shape and in better condition for track.”

Running is what she does best and despite the challenges, she says, “It requires me to be disciplined in how I eat and how often I train. I’ve learned to push through the pain and difficulties of racing and sprinting.

Carl Junction Bulldogs Sprinter Sydney Ward Fast Facts

Age: 16

Grade in School: 11th in fall 2023

Parents: Mick and Paula Ward

Sibling: Lance Ward, 21 years old and a senior at Harvard University

Hometown: Carl Junction, Missouri

The younger Ward has developed into a terrific sprinter over a 10-year timeframe from when she first started competing for CJ Freedom Tack Club at six years old.

Early last month, Ward was at her finest when she sprinted to new Central Ozark Conference records in both the 100-meter dash (12.12 seconds) and 200-meter dash (25.23 seconds). Ward was also part of Carl Junction’s 4 x 200-meter relay winning team that included Olivia Battagler, Destiny Buerge and Dezi Williams.

“I’d say the sprints are definitely my best events,” Sydney says. “They’re my favorite events because I like to run fast and come out of the blocks strong.”

Carl Junction Senior High Girls Track Head Coach Mark Robertson says, “Sydney understands that being in control and smooth generates speed. She is a technical runner who understands the environment she’s running in and will adapt however is needed to be successful.

“I’m most happy about the support I have from my team and coaches. I value the friendships and travel opportunities I’ve gained through the sport. I hope to continue my track career in college if the opportunity arises.”

Sydney is already making the most of her opportunities because of how she carries herself as a student-athlete, and Coach Robertson says, “Sydney is a humble young lady who lets her actions provide her words. She leads by example in the classroom, on the court and on the track.

“Sydney can run track at the next level. She is a great student and a great teammate. She puts her team ahead of herself and does this with grace.”

She is a graceful runner and spectacular sprinter, for sure, who seems destined for even greater successes over her final two years at Carl Junction.

Favorite Subject in School: Biology

Favorite Collegiate Track Athlete: Her brother, Lance Ward

Achievements:

– Recently competed in the USA Track & Field National Indoor Championships in Louisville, Kentucky. In the 15-16-year-old age division, she won gold in the 55-meter sprint and was the silver medalist in the 200-meter sprint.

– In the 2022 outdoor track season, was a Missouri state medalist in the 100- and 200-meter sprints.

– Selected to run in an International Track Meet this summer in Australia for the Coast-to-Coast USA team, which will compete against national team members from Australia, New Zealand and a few other countries.

Carl Junction Golfer Jack Spencer Showcases Brilliant Luster on the Links

year as a mainstay on Carl Junction Bulldogs Senior High Boys Golf Head Coach Ryan Jones’ squad, but it’s clear junior-to-be Jack Spencer is a rising star in this sport.

Through the early part of May, Jack put together an impressive end-ofseason run while coming oh-soclose to a Central Ozarks Conference championship, before falling to Owen Derryberry of Carthage in a playoff after two holes.

“I shot a -1-under par, 71,” Jack says. “I thought I played and scrambled my way around the golf course. It was nice to see some putts fall, for sure.”

He followed up his strong runner’s-up finish in conference by shooting a +5-over par, 75 in the District 3 Tournament.

“I made the All-District Team and qualified for state, as well. This wasn’t my best round, but I’m happy that I grinded it out.”

During a terrific regular season, one of his brightest moments came in early April when this talented young man won the Horton Smith Tournament at Schifferdecker Golf Course in Joplin, Missouri, while carding a 69 and finishing an impressive two strokes under par.

“It was encouraging to break 70 and tie the school record (69) in a tournament,” Jack assures. “It gave me confidence for the rest of the season.”

As a freshman for the Bulldogs in 2022, Jack showed his tremendous potential while winning the Carthage Tournament and going on to a seventh-place finish in the Class 4 State Championship at Meadow Lake Acres Golf Club in Bloomfield, Missouri.

Remembering his first high school title at the Carthage Tourney, Jack says, “The key was getting through the back nine and enduring the morning cold since I started on Hole 13. Once

I made the turn with 12 holes to play, I was able to warm up and got more comfortable hitting shots I knew how to hit.

“I shot a 33 on the front nine, en route to an even par, 71. It was cool to win that tournament since it was a playoff with two other golfers. I birdied the 10th hole, while the other two parred, which was enough to earn the victory.”

As for the ’22 state tourney, Jack says, “I was able to finish well by keeping a positive attitude and not letting a bad hole affect my whole round. I was the first golfer from Carl Junction to finish all-state in 25 years.”

Coach Jones is ecstatic to have Jack on his team and says, “Part of what makes Jack such a special golfer is that he is skilled at all facets of the game. His ability to score the ball from 100 yards in is high level.”

In speculating on his greatest improvement over the past year or so, Jack says, “I think I’ve been able to gain distance off the tee, which has helped me hit more greens and given me more opportunities to score the golf ball.”

He rationalizes that the best part of his game “is my mindset. I think few people have the mindset that you must do your best even when you don’t have your best. Every time I tee it up, I want to shoot under par, but that’s not realistic.

“That’s not to say I’m not going to try my best to

Carl Junction Bulldogs Golfer Jack Spencer Fast Facts

Age: 16

Grade in School: 11th in fall 2023

Parents: Ron and Kristi Spencer

Sibling: Logan Jolly, 26 years old

Hometown: Carl Junction, Missouri

Favorite Subject in School: Math

Favorite Golf Course: Payne’s Valley in Hollister, Missouri

Favorite Professional Golfer: Max Homa

Favorite Golf Movie: Tin Cup

Achievements:

–Started playing in the U.S. Kids’ Golf Tulsa local tour when he was nine years old and won his first tournament at the age of 10 years old.

–Three-time all-star golfer while playing in the Briarbrook PGA Junior League for three years. In 2021, won the Briarbrook Youth Club Championship and was also the Southwest Missouri Golf Association Champion in the 13-18-year-old age division.

–Also in 2021, qualified in the local and sub-regional Drive, Chip & Putt competitions to secure a spot in the regional event in Denver, Colorado, and came in third place at that event.

–During his freshman year at Carl Junction, was recognized as the Southwest Missouri Golfer of the Year by SOMO Sports and was the Joplin Globe’s Prep Athlete of the Week. –Last summer, finished third in the Missouri Junior Amateur in St. Louis.

shoot under par. But I’m going to manage my expectations and shoot the best score possible without holding myself to a certain standard.”

Coach Jones sees a standard in Jack that is truly special and says, “Jack is a mature kid. He’s an exceptional student and an even better person. He’s humble and hardworking.”

All that hard work is paying off in a big way for Jack and it’s likely his performances on area links will only reflect more luster as he continues to polish his golf game at Carl Junction over the next couple of years.

He might only be 16 years old and just recently completed his sophomore

Cowgers use Service Activities to share compassion

Kasey and Lesley Cowger are passionate about serving others. And they are passionate about the Carl Junction community.

“Our desire to help others, to show Jesus to the best of our abilities, and the example set before us from our parents really is the driving force behind any service activity we do,” said Lesley.

Both Kasey and Lesley are rooted in the Carl Junction community and spend countless hours serving others, whether through volunteerism or monetary donations. They have both been blessed with examples of what it means to help others through their families.

“Karen and Larry Cowger have helped many families throughout their lives as well as my parents, too,” said Lesley. “Both Kasey and my parents have set a big example of what it means to serve.”

Kasey and Lesley love the spirit and closeness of the Carl Junction community.

“Most people here really care for each other and cheer each other on,” said Lesley. “The community values our schools and supports the students. I love that! The expectation for success is there and everyone wants to see the other person succeed.”

While they aren’t part of any specific organization, the couple serves where they can, when they can. As a past educator, Lesley has a soft spot for teachers and knows how sacrificially they serve day in and day out.

“We like to do a lot with the Carl Junction schools,” said Lesley. “We have helped out with several church activities over the years. Kasey has volunteered as a coach many times for youth sports. He also volunteers his time to help broadcast sports events throughout the school year and has done this for several years, along with serving on the school board. Their most favorite way to serve others is when they are able to give anonymously to their community. One

of their favorite memories was when they were able to get their whole family involved in helping another family that was having a particularly hard time during the Christmas season.

“We were able to find out things the family needed and wanted and wrapped up presents to place under their Christmas tree while they were gone for some treatments,” said Lesley. “I loved doing this so much because not only was it a lot of fun, but my kids still remember doing this and it is one of their favorite times, as well!”

Another way the couple serves is by reading all of the senior applications they receive for the Cowger Family Scholarship – a scholarship established by Larry Cowger to give back to kids within the school district.

“We have some truly amazing students and are so proud of our school,” said Lesley. When Kasey and Lesley aren’t volunteering alongside their family, they are busy being parents to their four children.

“We are in a season of life that is incredibly busy,” said Lesley. “All four of our kids are involved in sports and/or band.”

You will almost always find Kasey and Lesley on the soccer field or in a gym with their kids. In addition to their children’s schedules, Kasey and Lesley both work full time with untraditional hours. Kasey is a mortgage lender with First Community Bank and Lesley is a Realtor with Core Group at PRO 100 Inc., REALTORS.

“Our jobs often bleed over into nights and weekends,” said Lesley. “It is such an honor to have jobs that allow us to serve people! We both, in different capacities, have the honor of helping people and families find, sell or purchase their home. It is such an incredible journey and we love coming alongside and guiding people during such an exciting time in their lives.”

Blue Moon Boutique

613 S. Main Street • Joplin, MO • 417.553.0826

www.bluemoonboutiquejoplin.com

Facebook: @Blue Moon Boutique Joplin

Bright colors and retro florals are all the rage this summer! Look no further for the coolest clothing, gifts, décor and locally made art and more. If you have an eclectic, boho style, then Blue Moon is right up your alley! Look no further for the coolest clothing, gifts, décor and locally made art and more. If you have an eclectic, boho style, then Blue Moon will be right up your alley!

Wig’N Out Boutique

20 S. Main St. • Webb City, MO 417.717.5099 • www.wignoutboutique.com

Celebrate Father’s Day with trendy looks and gift items just for Dad. When we say, “We’ve got you covered from head to toe,” we mean it! We also specialize in men’s hair replacement and wigs. Come see what’s new at Wig’N Out Boutique online or in store at 20 South Main Street in Webb City.

The Vogue Boutique

144 S. Main • Carl Junction, MO • 417.649.7911

Just 10 minutes from downtown Joplin shopthevogueboutique.com

Insta: @thevogueboutiquecj Facebook: thevogueboutiquecj

The Vogue Boutique has a huge selection of Birkenstock to help you get summer ready! The Vogue Boutique has something for everyone! Shop in store Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. or anytime at shopthevogueboutique.com! Located at 144 South Main Street in Carl Junction, just 10 minutes from downtown Joplin. Gift wrap is always free!

Big R’s Pies

BigRsPies.com 417. 437.3135

BigRsPies.com was 23 years in the making. Owner Twyla Housh sold the barbecue portion of Big R’s in April, but she and her mother Carla kept the pie portion and set up a commercial pie kitchen. Whole pie pickups are at Big R’s, Red Onion Espressoria in Galena, Kansas, and Chatters in Pittsburg, Kansas. No charge for delivery within Joplin city limits.

Yeti Expeditions

616 Locust St. • Carl Junction, MO • 417.707.2890

www.YetiExpeditionsLLC.com

Looking for a top-notch limo bus service? Look no further than Yeti Expeditions. They offer a variety of transportation services to the Four States. No matter if it’s a wedding, a bachelorette party, a day trip or one of our organized expeditions, Yeti Expeditions will get you wherever you are going safely and in style. Their 13-passenger limo bus features perimeter seating, Bluetooth radio and party lighting. Yeti Expeditions aims to not only meet your needs, but also exceed your expectations of what a limo bus service can be. Give them a call today or visit them online.

Society

4 S. Main St. • Webb City, MO • 417.717.0073

www.thesocietymarketplace.com

Facebook & Instagram: @SocietyWebbCity

‘Tis the season: wedding season! At Society, we offer a variety of items perfect for your wedding, starting with the bachelorette party all the way to the wedding itself. Let us help you create unforgettable memories with our personalized wedding favors and accessories. We also offer private parties. Host a private bridal shower where you can explore our permanent jewelry collection and find stunning pieces that will forever commemorate your special day. Visit us online or stop by today!

The Paw Spa • A Bathhouse for Dogs

323 S. Main • Carthage, MO • 417.359.5190

The Paw Spa Bathhouse for Dogs is THE place to treat your dog to a spa day! Located next to BigDog Boutique on the Carthage square, Paw Spa features full grooming, wash services, nail trims and selfserve wash stations. Everything is provided to wash your own dog, including premium shampoos and conditioners, brushes, towels and chamois, and heated dryers. We even take care of all clean-up! If do-it-yourself isn’t your thing, let us give your dog a bath while you shop around the square. Paw Spa also offers full grooming in a quiet, one-on-one environment. Check us out on Facebook at PawSpaBathhouse or call 417.356.5190.

Extreme Sports Scuba

5203 S. Range Line Road • Joplin, MO • 417.659.9009

Diving is your ticket to underwater exploration! The realm beneath the waves is a place that reveals itself to you a little more with each dive. At Extreme Sports Scuba, we have everything you need to explore the wonderful world under the sea. We offer several diving classes for beginner to expert. We also host group diving trips to the beautiful Caribbean! Call us today and find out how learning to scuba dive can change your world!

One 24 Outlet

13105 Kodiak Rd • Neosho, MO • 417.451.1144

Like us on Facebook! • Download our APP!!

One24 Boutique is a unique mother/daughter-teamed store that specializes in the unique. Located in Neosho, this small-town store has gifts, home decor, one-of-a-kind finds and FASHION!! The new “One24 Rags” clothing line was custom designed by the two ladies! Everything in the outlet is 40% off. A portion of all proceeds is donated each month to the KU Bladder Cancer Department to fund a research scholarship.

35401 S. 580 Road • Jay, OK • 804.389.2579

www.zenasurialpacas.com

Meet Flora. She’s curious about you and produces magnificent fiber we make into some of the most luxurious and lustrous yarn in the world. She is a Suri Alpaca, and even among alpacas that is a rare breed. Meet her, touch her, hand feed her and the other 49 alpacas at Zena Suri Alpacas near Grand Lake, Oklahoma. Call 804.389.2579 for reservations. And don’t forget Stiggy the Llama. It’s an experience you won’t forget.

Pottery by KAT

Handmade, hand carved, one-of-a-kind Shop online at www.potterybykat.etsy.com

Shop in Neosho, MO at The Clay Cup, A Coffee Pottery

Follow on Instagram and Facebook @potterybykat

Creating nature-inspired, hand-painted and carved mugs, vases, jewelry and planters. Follow Pottery by Kat on Instagram and Facebook for works in progress and shop previews.

June’s feathered Bounty

We are now settled into the season of warm months and hopefully have the spring thunderstorms behind us. Late spring and early summer usually generate a slower pace to our backyard and the countryside. Hopefully, we find more time to enjoy and genuinely experience our yards since we have placed significant work into them, or now we have that extra time to seek a city park or nature trail.

The birdlife has settled down as well. All the birds migrating north through our area are at their breeding destinations of the tundra, the boreal forest or Canada’s pothole region. Our local nesting birds are either year-round residents or southern migrants destined for the area via the habitats of our region.

We see the news and latest reports of the decline in wildlife in general. Many reports reveal bird populations need attention to habitat and conservation management. We might look at our local city park or our own backyard and think the area is too small to be effective. However, small areas can make an impact and our everyday habits have direct links to all wildlife, as well. So, here are the top seven things we can do or consider for local birdlife:

1. Share with neighbors and friends that we do not save baby birds. It is ok to put a nestling back in the nest if we can reach it. If we leave a baby bird on the ground and near suitable cover, the parents will feed and tend to it. Robins, cardinals, wrens, etc., are superior moms and dads!

2. Understand the pros and cons of bird feeding and keep hummingbird feeders clean and nectar free of red dyes.

3. Limit light pollution.

4. Research and foster native insects at your homestead. A yard that has a high biodiversity of moths and butterflies alone proves to be healthy for the environment and people.

5. Take an inventory of the native flowers, native vines, native shrubs and trees in local parks and neighborhoods. Now is an exciting time to see them in flower or fruit, plus landscape planning may be honed into beneficial projects for fall. We will have a native plant sale at the Shoal Creek Conservation Nature Center in late September, so mark your calendar to come, study and browse.

6. Keeping house cats indoors is healthy for the pets and the songbirds. They are a non-native predator if left outside to roam and have devasting effects on birds, lizards and small mammals. A simple website search on “keeping cats indoors” should provide solid helpful suggestions.

7. Lastly, let us all be more aware. If we have the interest in nature or specifically birds, deer, snakes … let us pick up a book and learn a little more. Have you been to our nature center lately? Drop by the Shoal Creek Nature Center’s front desk for free booklets on a variety of wildlife. Our Wildcat Glades Friends Group has a fantastic giftshop with bird field guides and bird feeding equipment. This season is an easier pace. Enjoy! I hope to see you on the trail or receive an email that you made your backyard more bird- and people-friendly. – Jeff

A Space FOR Dad A Space FOR Dad

According to the Britannica website, the history of Father’s Day is defined as, “A holiday celebrated on the third Sunday in June. Credit for originating the holiday is generally given to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, whose father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth. She is said to have had the idea in 1909 while listening to a sermon on Mother’s Day, which at the time was becoming established as a

holiday. Local religious leaders supported the idea, and the first Father’s Day was celebrated June 19, 1910, the month of the birthday of Dodd’s father. In 1924, U.S. President Calvin Coolidge gave his support to the observance, and in 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation that recognized the day. It became a national holiday in 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed legislation designating the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.”

As we celebrate Father’s Day this year and we think about the gifts we want to give to our fathers, grandfathers, uncles and others who function as father figures, we want to keep in mind the things that interest our fathers the most, such as hobbies, collections, activities and most of all, a space for us to spend time with our fathers. Mostly our fathers just want to spend time with us, and the act of helping your father create a space that is special for him and you will create memories that can last a lifetime.

Almost every man likes to have space in the garage for his stuff and hobbies. This particular space is organized for a motorcycle repair space; however, it could be adapted for almost any hobby. The rolling cabinets along the back wall allow for lots of storage of tools, but could easily store fishing tackle, gun re-loading supplies or hobby items. Keeping the cabinets against the back wall allows for ample floor space to work on motorcycles, cars or almost any project. The flooring can be left plain cement with a sealed surface for easy cleanup or apply an epoxy product or even rubber flooring. Lighting

will be important, so upgrade the lighting with brighter bulbs and even a work light on the work bench.

Your father will love his own office that can serve more than one purpose. This room has space for a desk to allow computer work or hobby work such as building models, as well as a couch to entertain friends and watch TV. If needed, it could serve as a guest room, in a pinch, if the couch were a pull out. The windows bring in much-needed light and the simple window coverings are perfect for a more masculine

office. Adding bookshelves for books or other things such as trophies or even a CD or record collection is useful as is plenty of wall space to hang family pictures. A neutral wall color, such as a light gray with light-colored and durable flooring makes for a perfect room for Dad.

Any father would love a theater room. This one makes use of multiple recliners rather than theater seating. This allows the furniture to be moved for the best viewing of the large screen TV. To make this room feel cozier, paint the walls a darker

color and keep the flooring a darker color, as well. This space would benefit from a wet bar if plumbing were available. If not, a small refrigerator and storage for snacks would be useful.

Whatever your father’s interests, you can help him find and fix up a space just for him. Whether you help with painting the walls, organizing the tools, framing important pictures or just spending time enjoying a TV show or movie with your father in his special place, the most important thing is the time you spend together.

SAY TO THE DRESS Yes

A Guide to Stress-Free Wedding Dress Shopping with Augusta Bridal

Awedding day is one of the most important days in a person’s life. For many brides, the process of finding the perfect wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of their wedding planning journey. Trying on dresses can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, but with the right mindset and preparation, it can be a wonderful experience. At Augusta Bridal in Joplin, Taylor and her team are dedicated to helping each bride find the perfect dress and accessories.

To help ease the stress, the bride should do some research before heading to the bridal shop. She can start by looking online to get an idea of what styles she likes. This can help narrow down the options and make the process less overwhelming.

Once the bride arrives to Augusta Bridal, she will be greeted by Daya, who will show the bride and

her bridal party to their bridal suite. Daya will also confirm the bride’s budget, wedding venue location and dress silhouette preferences. For an added luxurious experience, Augusta Bridal offers a specialty package that includes champagne for the bride and her guests during the try-on as well as a charcuterie board or sandwich bar.

Next, a consultant will help the bride select dresses to try on based on her preferences and may also suggest dresses that the bride may not have considered.

“We like to have a bride pick anywhere between three and five dresses to try on initially,” said Taylor. “This helps to not overwhelm the bride and also narrow down exactly the style she wants.”

Once the bride has selected a few dresses to try on, she will be taken to a private fitting room. The consultant will assist the bride in getting into each dress and then she’ll be taken to show her bridal party and guests.

After the bride has tried on all of the dresses she has selected, she may want to try on her top choices again to compare them. The consultant can also provide feedback and help the bride

make a final decision.

If a bride makes her final decision on a dress, Taylor and her team at Augusta Bridal will then talk to the bride about the accessories to consider for her wedding day. Augusta Bridal offers veils that are handmade in Vermont and headpieces locally sourced from Arkansas. There’s also the decision of a cake-cutting dress, and shoes.

The visit ends with pictures. Once the bride makes her final decision, the consultant will take pictures for the bride with her bridal party. The bride and her crew pose with a sign that says, “I said yes at Augusta Bridal.”

Wedding dress shopping should be an exciting time. Augusta Bridal strives to provide a relaxed, stress-free environment for the bride from the moment she walks through the doors until all of her wedding dress decisions are made.

Ultimate Wedding

La Boussole Medical Spa

Situated on 20 acres of rolling hills in an artistically crafted limestone estate, La Boussole Medical Spa & Wellness Center provides a tranquil day spa destination for excellence in aesthetic medicine, anti-aging treatments and whole-body health and wellness.

Pre-wedding services include a free consultation and skin analysis.

For the bride and/or groom, as well as the entire wedding party, we can customize our services to ensure you feel your most beautiful for your big day!

All services are available for all areas of the body, including face, neck, decolletage, shoulders, back, arms and hands. For a full list of services, visit www. LaBoussoleJoplin.com.

5594 W. Junge Blvd. • Joplin, MO • 417.434.4449

Radiant Glo

If you want the best-looking skin for your big day, look no further than Radiant Glo. Radiant Glo offers semi-permanent foundation that can last up to nine months. In addition to the effortless glow semipermanent foundation provides, you will also see discoloration improvement, and your fine lines and wrinkles will be smoother. There is no downtime, no needles and no upkeep. Radiant Glo also offers spray tans for your wedding party.

Don’t forget about Radiant Glo’s body sculpting services, too! Their Jet Plasma Treatment is a pain-free procedure that is proven to tighten skin by 14.8% after just one visit – plus many other skin benefits. Radiant-Glo also offers non-invasive laser lipo where the use of red-light lasers directly penetrates through 10 layers of fat, ridding the body of fat cells. Radiant Glo offers free consultations. Book your appointment at radiant-glo.com, by calling 417.434.2963 or visiting their location.

1710 E. 32nd St., Ste. G1 • Joplin, MO • 417.434.2963

Augusta Bridal

Augusta Bridal is a bridal shop bringing class and elegance to the Joplin area while staying in touch with today’s trends and styles. August Bridal offers bridal, bridesmaids, prom gowns and so much more.

Schedule an appointment in the luxury bridal salon and enjoy a fun, stress-free environment of styling and try-ons. Augusta Bridal wants you to feel as if you can conquer the world looking as fabulous as possible and will help you find “the one” dress that will turn heads and bring out your inner beauty. They also offer custom handmade veils and flower crowns.

Owner Taylor Austin is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and brings her knowledge of the fashion industry to 502 South Main Street in Joplin. Schedule your appointment soon by calling 417.553.4888, and let Taylor and her team help you find the dress of your dreams.

The Social Sip

The Social Sip is a mobile bar and bartending company that also specializes in event planning and consulting. With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, owner Sarah Peavler enjoys customizing the ultimate bar experience for weddings, parties, corporate events and other celebrations. Sarah and her staff pour for heavy hitters such as Harley Davidson, Mercy, Grey Eagle Distributors, Olsson Engineering and The Capitalists Cartel. The Social Sip is dedicated to providing a drink menu curated for your wedding reception. Sarah and her staff have a wide range of knowledge in wine, along with a passion for mixing your favorite cocktails. The Social Sip also carries General and Liquor Liability Insurance. Remember to enjoy responsibly! Located at 1877 West Mound Street in Carthage, Missouri. Call to schedule The Social Sip at 417.629.7443 or email thesocialsip@yahoo.com.

Alchemist Haven

Feel and look your best on your wedding day with products from Alchemist Haven. At Alchemist Haven, we take pride in our expertise in creating beauty products, skin care and personalized fragrances that are tailored to your specific preferences. We carry everything from lip balm, natural deodorant, complexion bars, body lotions and so much more. You won’t find products like this anywhere around except at Alchemist Haven. We put love, time and the highest quality ingredients into each creation. Our uniqueness of products is one of a kind and makes wonderful gifts for your wedding party. Tailor each box filled with handcrafted products for those who mean the most to you. Order online or visit Angela at her shop at 430 South Pearl in Joplin for all your natural beauty needs. She is also at the Joplin Empire Market on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

430 S. Pearl Ave. • Joplin, MO • 417.529.7436 • www.alchemisthaven.com

Little Sugar Farm

The Little Sugar Farm is a destination wedding experience unlike any other located in the hills of the Ozarks. We offer unique accommodations for our guests, including seven glamping tents and our heritage farmhouse, and feature multiple gathering spaces with our decks, pastures and beautifully lit barns. Experience a weekend celebrating and spending quality time with the ones you love with the Ozark sky as your backdrop. Whether it be under the stars or as the sun sets over the hills, Little Sugar Farm is the perfect spot for a magical experience to start your story.

For more information, visit Littlesugarfarm.com or contact us at 214.783.0544.

Har-Ber Village

Do you like a mixture of old and new? Located minutes from Grove, Oklahoma, Har-Ber Village Event Center offers a park-like setting with rustic backdrops and lake views, with the added ambiance of the Har-Ber Village Museum in its back yard.

The Bridal Dressing Suite is even located inside a log cabin. Our event center is an indoor/ outdoor building with lake views, a stage that offers electricity for a DJ or live band, dance floor, separate ceremony area and indoor restrooms. The event center comfortably seats up to 100 guests with table seating. Our event coordinator can offer help with contacts for onsite catering options, local bakeries, local musicians and photographers to help you make your special day seamless.

Contact us today at 918.786.6446 or email us at info@har-bervillage.com. Visit our website for more information at har-bervillage.com.

Stella Springs Weddings & Events

Stella Springs Weddings & Events has all you need to make your wedding day an unforgettable experience. With over 110 acres of lush wooded country, the possibilities are endless for planning a lovely indoor or outdoor event. Our stunning outdoor sites include natural springs, the large Macedonia Springs pond, Indian Creek and a breathtaking waterfall at Macedonia Springs. Our Event Barn is where vintage charm meets romance. With white-washed walls, crystal chandeliers, antique mirrors and an oversized reclaimed mantle, the Barn is the perfect setting for any wedding. The Barn also has an outdoor deck strung with twinkling lights for a warm, romantic glow. Lodging is available in our Rock Cottage and Blue Bunkhouse with our unique weekend package. Visit www.stellaspringsweddings.com to peruse images of the beautiful weddings we have hosted at Stella Springs. We are located in Newton County, just outside Neosho. We are now accepting bookings for 2021 and 2022, so call 417.628.3418 to schedule your special date – your Happily Ever After begins here!

Ultimate Wedding

Royalty Event Center

Royalty Event Center is a beautiful venue to say “I do.” Situated on 326 acres, this spectacular Missouri Century Farm is surrounded by charm and history. There is plenty of room for the wedding of your dreams in the 5,000-square-foot upscale barn with beautiful exposed wood beams. It includes two complete bedrooms upstairs with a full bathroom, which are the perfect bride and groom suites.

The venue offers indoor and outdoor weddings under the decorated arbor area and has a full commercial kitchen for catering and a full bar area complete with beverage coolers and ice machine. It comfortably seats 150 guests for a sit-down dinner.

Dance the night away in the outdoor lighted entertainment area, and have your guests relax around the fire pit.

Royalty Event Center is located at 638 SE 80th Road in Golden City, Missouri. Call 417.276.1040 for more information or visit their Facebook page. They are currently booking 2023 weddings.

Amadeus Ranch

Amadeus Ranch is a beautiful Tuscan-style venue atop rolling hills in Southwest Missouri. Complete with exposed beams and sparkling chandeliers, our venue can match any wedding style from simple to extravagant. Our outdoor patio, complete with a gorgeous arbor, is the perfect setting for your wedding ceremony or dancing under the stars. We are booking 2023 and 2024 fast but still have availability for any season! We would love to help make your special day worry-free with our packages, which include linens, tableware, decor, vendors, wedding consultation and more! Call, text or email to book a visit to Amadeus Ranch. We look forward to meeting you! 417.850.1042 or 417.850.0980 or email amadeusranchvenue@gmail.com.  Check out our website: amadeusranch.com and find us on Facebook!

River Ranch Resort

Nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains on the beautiful Elk River in Noel, Missouri, River Ranch Resort has recently become a destination for weddings. With the addition on the Rendezvous Room, River Ranch can now offer a more complete package.

The Rendezvous Room is a 3,600-square-foot building that can accommodate 150 people. It has a wood-burning fireplace, and one end is glassed-in and overlooks the river. While the Rendezvous Room is a first choice, a second choice would be an outdoor ceremony, and the sky is the limit. Wedding packages include chairs, tables, setup and cleanup for the event. Initial packages allow for four hours, but more time can be arranged. Host and cash bars are also available, and audio and video usage can also be purchased.

For more information and to see catering packages, visit www.riverranchresort.com/events/ weddings. You can also contact Gary Duke at 417.592.9068 or events@riverranchresort.com.

Lendonwood Gardens

When planning a wedding at Lendonwood Gardens in Grove, Oklahoma, the beauty of the ceremony is only enhanced by gorgeous flowering plants, towering oaks, richly textured evergreens, and lovely water features. Amenities include a gazebo surrounded by rose gardens, an open-air Japanese pavilion overlooking a koi pond, and numerous spots for memorable photographs on the special day. Open grassy areas allow space for chairs, tables, bands and dancing. Electricity is available at key locations to offer romantic lighting for evening ceremonies and facilitate food service and music. The back entrance of the Gardens is close by, offering easy access for caterers, florists, musicians and those with mobility problems. Restrooms and additional parking also are located near the back entrance.

Lendonwood Gardens looks forward to sharing the beauty of the Gardens on your special day. Please call 918.786.2938 or visit www.lendonwood.com for more information or to reserve a date for your outdoor wedding.

96 Elite

If you desire to host an elegant wedding or event in a luxe space, 96 Elite is the venue for you. 96 Elite is an 11,000-square-foot building outfitted with stained concrete floors and fashionable, whitewash shiplap walls. The main indoor wedding space includes 26-foot-high ceilings and an elegant six-foot-tall Swarovski crystal chandelier. Also inside is a gorgeous foyer and spacious upper balcony. Outside, a paved courtyard is surrounded by the beauty of nature and the perfect place for outdoor ceremonies. Walk the pathway and you’ll find the nearby boat dock, rowboat, ornate fountain, gazebo and romantic Heart Pond! Schedule a tour today by calling 417.214.8994.

23895 State Hwy. 96 • Oronogo, MO • 417.214.8994 • www.96elite.com

Venue 105

Say “I do” in the peace and tranquility of the countryside.

Venue 105 is a beautifully constructed event venue and wedding barn located just outside of Carthage. Surrounded by oak trees and nestled in a serene country setting, Venue 105 offers amazing views inside and out, providing endless possibilities for your wedding day.

At Venue 105, you will find all the amenities of a modern wedding. The white-washed barn features an elegant yet inviting atmosphere with high ceilings, polished concrete, stylish light fixtures and fairy lighting, rustic details and a jaw-dropping chandelier. The 5,000-square-foot, climate-controlled space offers plenty of room to celebrate with all your friends and family. Venue 105 is located at 6960 County Road 105, Carthage, MO. Visit www.venue105.com or Facebook: @Venue105. Email: host@venue105.com. See this beautiful venue in person by scheduling a private viewing today! Phone 417.850.8582

Civil War Ranch

Venue 105

Add some country charm to your special day! Whether your style is traditional, country, rustic or chic, the Civil War Ranch offers just the right settings. Take a break from the world’s hectic pace and unwind inside our pre-1900s fully insulated Wedding Barn, gather on the shore of our picturesque spring-fed 2.5-acre pond, celebrate on our beautiful large landscaped Barn Courtyard, relax under our Rose Arbor and Wedding Tree, or picnic in our expansive Pole Barn. We strive to provide value for our couples as well as a beautiful backdrop for their special day. Our full-day rental is from 8 am to 11 pm, and if you book a Friday, you get Thursday included. Maybe you want to save more by booking Monday through Wednesday or want a small, quick wedding with just your closest family. We have that, too.

Browse our gallery and check our prices and availability on our website at www.civilwarranch.com. Book a tour through our website, Facebook page or by calling 417.237.0771. We can’t wait to hear from you! 11838 Civil War Ave., Carthage MO.

2023 Wedding Guide available

now!

For more information, call 417.540.1054, 417.850.5557 or email sue@showmetheozarks.com or editor@showmetheozarks.com

A bride’s best guide to local photographers, caterers, florists, jewelers, dresses, cakes, venues, and so much more! Checklists, space for notes and budgeting and helpful tips. Our guide will be distributed FREE at wedding shows, business expos and all locations of participating advertisers!

Interested in buying advertising space in our 2024 Wedding Guide? Call 417.540.1054, 417.850.5557 or email sue@showmetheozarks.com or editor@showmetheozarks.com

All You Need is Love!

All You Need Is Love is more than a venue name. Although Chelsea and Jeremiah Thieman held their wedding reception at the venue of that name, it also says worlds about their relationship.

“Our parents knew each other through work, and we knew of each other for a long time, but we’d never really met until we both attended a fishing tournament and fish fry,” said Jeremiah.

Four years later, Jeremiah popped the question. “Chelsea doesn’t like being the center of attention,” said Jeremiah, “so I chose a private time to ask her to marry me. We were feeding hay in the snow, and I acted like I was struggling to get the net wrap off of a hay bale. I asked Chelsea to get off the tractor and help me. When she came around the tractor, I was on one knee and asked her to marry me.”

“Of course, I said yes,” said Chelsea, “but I stuttered around because I was surprised. But I also thought, it’s finally happening!”

The couple were intentional about making their wedding day stress free.

“Our friends had said that your wedding day can be a complete blur,” said Jeremiah. “We wanted to be able to try to find some calmness and soak in the experience of our wedding.”

Chelsea said, “Our local vendors helped make it all possible. Gina Smith and Sharla Wilkerson at Turn of Events were great, as were our other vendors. They took away all of our stress. We didn’t have to do anything, and everyone could enjoy the day.”

Jeremiah and Chelsea were married September 17, 2022, at the United Methodist Church in Lamar, Missouri. It was a traditional ceremony, and they each were accompanied by five attendants. The groomsmen wore pressed jeans with gray shirts, and Jeremiah also wore a vest. Chelsea was gowned in a white dress with a stunning lace-trimmed train. The bridesmaids each wore a black dress of her choosing.

Chelsea made a point of carrying the traditional something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. The old was her grandmother’s broach attached to her bouquet. Her dress was her something new. She borrowed jewelry from her aunt that had been her grandmother’s. Something blue was a blue heart made by Jeremiah’s mother that was made from his baby blanket and had the couple’s initials and their wedding date on it.

The couple did a first look at the church before the wedding.

“Chelsea was absolutely stunning,” said Jeremiah. “I was reassured that the woman I was marrying was not only beautiful but the love of my life.”

“I had to walk through the line of groomsmen,” said Chelsea, “and I was so nervous. But when I saw Jeremiah, all my nerves went away.”

As this couple knew, all you need is love to carry you through, and after the ceremony, they headed on a shuttle bus with the wedding party to the reception venue.

Under the pavilion, tucked into the edge of the woods with trees lit with lights, All You Need Is Love was the perfect place for the celebration reception.

“We started with our introduction and the meal and cake and our first dance to Randy Rogers’ ‘Who Am I,’” said Jeremiah. “We danced until dawn.”

Chelsea remembered, “We did have one thing that was the talk of the town for a while. Compton Coffee Brew Bar was one of our vendors, and they left at 10 p.m. But I forgot that when they left, we wouldn’t have any water, so after 10:00, we only had alcohol to drink!”

It was a memorable wedding and reception, and for Chelsea and Jeremiah, all they will need for the years to come is the love they celebrated that day.

Vendors

Venue: All You Need Is Love –Lisa Kingsley

Event Rental and Coordination: A Turn of Events – Gina Smith

Food: Nolting Family Catering –Scott and Kelli Nolting

Coffee Service: Compton Brew Coffee Bar – Dana Compton

Cake and Cupcakes: Finn’s

Photos: Andy Neher Photography –Andy Neher

Music: Show-Me DJ and Karaoke Service –Jared Jeffries

Sanitation: Southwest Waste Services – Jarod Gardner

Walk for Autism Nearly 1,000 adults and children – some decked out as aliens and astronauts – participated in the 16th Annual Freeman 5K and Walk for Autism April 22. Per tradition, Freeman Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker

launched the 500 registered runners and walkers, many of them wearing specialized shirts or themed costumes. Hundreds more cheered from the sidelines while taking time to purchase autism awareness items and raffle baskets or participating in a nearby vendor fair. The combined run and walk serves as the Leffen Center’s largest fundraiser of the year. This year’s event raised $30,000, which allows Leffen officials to provide important diagnostic treatment and educational services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

What’s New for Treatment OF Knee Arthritis?

Arthritis is a common cause of knee pain. Arthritis is caused by degeneration or damage to the cartilage surface of the bone.

Cartilage is the tissue that cushions the bone and helps the joints glide smoothly. If the cartilage is damaged or wears out over time, this is referred to as arthritis.

As the damage to the cartilage becomes more severe, people begin to feel pain in their knee, which can range from a dull ache to a sharp pain. This is also usually associated with swelling or the sensation of catching when bending the knee. Typically, this pain is worse with increasing activities such as prolonged walking, exercise or participating in sports.

Often, your doctor will diagnose this problem by examining your knee, taking an x-ray and possibly performing an MRI of the knee. The MRI may show evidence of damage to the cartilage. The damage may be localized in one area of the knee or may be more diffuse, affecting different parts of the knee joint.

Treatments for mild cartilage damage involve avoiding painful activities, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen. For more severe cases, treatments range from a steroid injection to surgery. For patients with localized arthritis, a surgical

procedure known as knee arthroscopy can be performed. This is a minimally invasive procedure used to evaluate cartilage damage, which typically appears as an area where the cartilage has been damaged or worn away, leaving just the bone below. Sometimes, damage to the cartilage occurs in only one area of the knee. In this situation, a sample of the surrounding cartilage can be taken. This allows us to use a new technology for cartilage repair known as MACI (Matrix Associated Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation).

MACI technology uses the cartilage sample to isolate and grow (multiply) the patient’s own cartilage cells. The cartilage cells are then transferred to a special membrane that can be inserted into the area of damage. This is like using a patch to fill up the hole left behind by cartilage damage. However, the patch is made from the patient’s own cartilage cells. The transferred cartilage cells then grow, which creates healthy cartilage and reverses the original damage. This procedure has been shown to significantly reduce pain and may be an alternative to knee replacement for certain patients with arthritis.

Thomas Sanders, MD, completed his medical education at the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio, Texas. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency and sports medicine fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Sanders serves as the orthopaedic team physician for Webb City High School. For more information about MACI and other treatments for knee arthritis at Freeman, please call 417.347.5400 or visit freemanhealth.com/specialty/orthopaedics-sports-medicine.

HEALTHIER TOGETHER

To be clear, a fitness buddy is someone you’re accountable to and someone who is accountable to you. Sometimes your goals (e.g. walking 30 minutes each day) might be the same, but you could also have different goals and just check in on each other to make sure the work is getting done. Remember, your fitness buddy most likely has no say in what your goals are. When deciding what you’re trying to achieve, it’s always important to consult your doctor or a nutritionist.

The most well-known benefit of having a fitness buddy is accountability, and it’s certainly true most programs that track these sorts of numbers find some sort of bump in program completion when people join with a friend (as well as a trend that people who exercise regularly with friends keep weight off more consistently, though I’m not sure how solid the numbers on that are). One of the positives that don’t get talked about as much, though, is the positive reinforcement of exercising with a friend. You can see each other reach your individual goals, and while humility has its benefits, someone else seeing your progress gives a big dopamine hit.

Of course, dopamine hits are a two-edged sword, and it can be frustrating or embarrassing if you aren’t hitting your goals, either because you’re cheating on your diet or you’re not being as consistent as you need to be. Many people are initially hesitant to make the commitment of exercising with a friend for this very reason, but there is some counter-thinking to this, namely that if you aren’t hitting your goals alone you’ll probably feel the same way, but then you won’t have anyone to help you get back on track. It’s easy to get discouraged when you plateau or even just stop working toward your health goals, and if you do get discouraged without having someone to help you get back on track, getting back to the habits you had is so much more difficult.

There are always risks that some diet or fitness plan won’t work for you, and that’s OK. Having a fitness buddy means that when something doesn’t work out for you, you have an incentive to get back at it and try something else.

Health is a personal topic and because of that, many people find it difficult to discuss certain parts of their health journey. This varies from person to person, and some people can be very open about their health. When it comes to topics such as losing weight and developing healthy lifestyles, it’s easy to self-deprecate about our bad habits, but it’s much harder to discuss ways we’re trying to improve our health with others –no one wants everyone to know they’re trying a diet only to be found eating too much dessert. The fear of failure, however, can be greatly outweighed by the benefits of having an accountability fitness buddy, which actually reduces your risk of failure.

Why you might need a fitness buddy, even if you think you don’t

Parsons, KS

June 8: Grief Companions Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month, 6 p.m., Elm Haven West. Call 620.704.1110.

June 13: Breast Cancer Support Group, 3:30 p.m., Cancer Center conference room. Meets the second Tuesday of each month. Call 620.235.7516.

Via Christi Hospital - Pittsburg, KS

June 22: Cancer Support Group, 3 p.m., Cancer Center conference room. Meets fourth Wednesday of each month. Call 620.235.7900.

Joplin, MO

Every day: Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings. Call 888.740.4568.

Every Monday: Tips for Living a Healthy Life, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., South YMCA, 3404 W. McIntosh Circle. Free; registration required. Call 417.625.2492.

Every day: 12-Step Recovery Meetings, Alano Club, 1800 E. 30th. Call 417.623.9645.

June 8: Brain Injury Support Group meets every second Tuesday, 12-1:30 p.m., The Independent Living Center, 2639 E. 34th. Contact 417.659.8086 for information and referral.

June 10: “Bayou at The Barn”, 6 p.m. the Red Door Barn, 9164 State Hwy 43, Webb City. Tickets are $25 and includes dessert and beverages. Cash bar and raffle available. This all you can eat, “Old Fashioned Shrimp Boil”, will benefit Solace House of the Ozarks. Solace is a home in Joplin providing end-of-life care when dying at home is not an option. Solace House is free to the community and works in conjunction with a hospice provider. Guests and families have a private room. Our non-profit relies 100% on donations and grants. RSVP to Sandy Hughes at 417726-5139.

June 28: Grief Support Group meets every fourth Wednesday of each month, 6-7:30 p.m., Hospice Compassus, 2216 E. 32nd St., Ste. 201. Call 417.623.8272.

Freeman Health System

All events are free and open to the public, unless noted; support group meetings are cancelled on days Joplin R-VIII Schools close due to inclement weather.

June 1: Freeman Early Detection Screenings, by appointment, Freeman Screen Team Resource Center, 1130 E. 32nd St., Ste. C. Early Detection Screenings include abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and stroke/carotid artery screenings, as well as osteoporosis risk assessment. Fees vary. Call 417.347.6555 for an appointment.

June 6: Expresso Yourself Breast Cancer Support Group, 5-6 p.m., Joplin Avenue Coffee Company, 506 S. Joplin Ave. Enjoy a coffee courtesy of Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute. Our

monthly breast cancer support group enables members to share, gain helpful information and useful tips, and form new friendships. Enjoy listening to a special guest from time to time. RSVP to Marcella at 417.347.2662.

June 6: Freeman Bariatric Weight-loss Seminar, 4:30 p.m. (registration), 5:30 pm (seminar), Freeman Business Center, Conference Rooms, 3220 McClelland Blvd (back entrance). Better understand the options available for weight-loss surgery. Contact 417.347.1266 or freemanhealth.com/bariatric to register.

June 14: Freeman Cancer Support Group, 2-3 p.m., Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute, 3415 McIntosh Circle. Call Kelley Wheeler at 417.347.4000 for more information.

June 15: Freeman Caregiver Support Group, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Freeman Business Center Conference Rooms, 3220 McClelland Blvd (back entrance). Are you a caregiver interested in having a safe haven to share your feelings? Receive information about resources and coping mechanisms, gain advice on what lies ahead, make new friends and learn how to deal with family members. Door prizes will be given out. RSVP to Kathy Mason at kdmason@freemanhealth. com or 417.347.8463.

June 16: Daytime Autism Support Group, 12:30-1:30 p.m., third Tuesday of the month, Bill and Virginia Leffen Center for Autism conference room. Open to people with autism, parents and caregivers. For more information, please contact 417.347.7850.

June 20: Bariatric Weight-loss Support Group, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Freeman Business Center Conference Rooms, 3220 McClelland Blvd (back entrance). Designed to help those who have had bariatric surgery. For more information, call 417.347.1266.

National Alliance on Mental Illness - For information on NAMI, call 417.781.6264 or visit www.namijoplin.org. Meetings held at the NAMI building, 219 W. 2nd St., in Joplin.

Every Monday: NAMI Basics, 6-8:30 p.m. A signature education program for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses.

Every Tuesday: NAMI Connection Support Group, 6:30-8 p.m.

Every Tuesday: Self Injury Support Group, 5-6 p.m.

Every Tuesday: Family Support Group, 6:30-8 p.m.

Every Wednesday: Dual Diagnosis Support Group, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Every Wednesday: Post-5/22 Stress Counseling Sessions, 10 a.m.

Every Thursday: Family to Family Class, 6:30-8:30 p.m. For families or caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses. Includes current information about most major mental illnesses; information about medications, side effects and strategies for medication adherence; developing strategies for handling crises and relapse; focusing on care for the caregiver.

Neosho, MO

June 26: Caregivers Support Group meets the fourth Monday

of each month, 5-6 p.m., Medicalodge, 400 Lyon Drive. Help with care, finances, insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, respite care, hospice care, day care and support for the caregivers. Sponsors: Avalon Hospice and Medicalodges Neosho. Call 417.451.2544.

Nevada, MO

June 3: Birth and Beyond Class, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Hospital Mezzanine. Nevada Regional Medical Center offers a four-hour class covering childbirth, breastfeeding and infant care for women in their last trimester. Especially suited for women who are giving birth for the first time, this class covers all the basics of the birthing experience. For more information or to register, visit nrmchealth. com or call 417.448.2101.

June 6: Farmers’ Market, 3-6 p.m. Southeast corner of Ash and Douglas in Nevada. Check out the freshest in farm produce each Tuesday afternoon just across the street from the hospital. Local growers meet on the southeast corner of Ash and Douglas Tuesdays from 3-6 p.m. to offer fresh fruits, vegetables and homegrown specialties. Check out their first offerings Tuesday, June 6.

June 27: Rich Hill Family Medical Clinic Screenings, 11 a.m.noon, Kern Senior Center. Free screenings every fourth Tuesday of the month: This month features free blood pressure readings along with a hemoglobin reading. For further information, please call the Rich Hill Clinic at 417.395.2150.

Integris Baptist Regional Health Center, Grove, OK INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center, Miami, OK information, visit www.integrisok.com/baptist-regional-healthcenter-Miami-ok.

Every Tuesday: Free blood pressure and glucose screenings provided by INTEGRIS Regency Home Care and Hospice. First Tuesday: Commerce Nutrition Center, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Second Tuesday: Nine Tribes Tower, 10-11 a.m. Third Tuesday: Miami Senior Center, 10-11 a.m. Fourth Tuesday: INTEGRIS Baptist Village, 9-10 a.m.

June 6: Alzheimer’s Support Group

11 a.m., Generations fourth floor visiting room. Call 918.542.3391.

June 13 & 27: Depression Support Group and fourth Tuesday of each month, 2 p.m., Northeastern Tribal Health System Conference Room, 2301 Eight Tribes Trail. Call 918.675.2093.

to create a plan to stay safe and healthy.

new three-digit dialing code www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

An Outdoor Day with DaD

The Great

OUTDOORS

An award-winning magazine and newspaper writer, radio host and blogger for more than 40 years. His book, “Seasons: Stories of Family, God and the Great Outdoors,” is available on Amazon and Amazon Kindle.

Online and big-box retailers are happy to tell you what Dad would love to get for Father’s Day this year, and it just happens to be on sale. However, the best Father’s Day gift you can give Dad is time alone with him outdoors. Maybe it is a fishing trip, paddling a lake or stream in a canoe or kayak, camping or a hike together. Doing these things will give you quality time together on his special day.

When I was young, my dad took me fishing with him once but never taught me how to fish. I remember one deer hunt, but he never tried to teach me anything. It was not his fault. I realize now he did not know how to be a dad because his dad did not know how to be a dad with him. Kids need a dad.

Thankfully, I grew up on a farm with streams and woods around me. I taught myself to hunt and fish. I camped and explored. My love for the outdoors was passed on to my kids and grandkids. New generations will continue to pass it on.

If you are lucky enough to have a dad who passed on to you all there is to do in the outdoors, there is nothing he would like better than you and him doing something outdoors together. It would be a Father’s Day he will never forget and will add to his and your storehouse of memories.

IN SEARCH OF THE OUTDOORS

If you are beginning to learn to enjoy the outdoors or are a seasoned outdoor enthusiast wanting to discover new places, apps are available to help you do that quickly and easily.

Check out the MO Outdoors app, available on Android or iPhone platforms, at mdc.mo.gov/mooutdoors. Information about Missouri fishing, hunting, shooting, camping, hiking and birdwatching are all there. It will show Missouri Department of Conservation areas, what types of activities they offer, hours, regulations and maps on how to get there.

If fishing is your love, you can download the MO Fishing app. It helps you find the best places to fish in Missouri. You can also buy fishing permits and see available facilities, seasons and regulations.

This free application starts by showing you bodies of water near your current location. You can refine the list by searching for a specific body or fish species. Each body of water will display boat ramps, parking lots and restrooms available. By clicking on the map, a user can see the spatial location of these facilities. The map also shows the exact location of underwater fish structures the Missouri Department of Conservation has established over the years. These fish-attracting structures act as a habitat for fish. The geolocation feature can guide your boat to your favorite fish attractor, and you can start fishing.

The MO Hunting app lets Missouri hunters buy and store annual permits. This application allows hunters to notch their permit and Telecheck their harvest directly from their deer or turkey permit within the application. MO Hunting also lets hunters view all deer and turkeys they have previously checked.

To log in to MO Hunting, users will need their Conservation Number. This nine-digit number can be found on the back of your Heritage Card. The Conservation Number can also be found on any current or previous permit.

After harvesting a deer or turkey, it is still necessary to immediately notch the month and date of harvest on your permit, which you can now do within the MO Hunting application. Telecheck your harvest by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest and record the Telecheck confirmation number on your voided permit.

More and more states have gone to these types of apps to make your outdoor enjoyment even better. Check with your state to make sure they are available and discover the outdoor opportunities your state offers.

I STAND FOR OUR FLAG

Flag Day is June 14 every year. It all started with a resolution passed by the Continental Congress in 1777 that called for an official American flag. It was to be a day for celebration and recognition of the flag of our nation.

It has never been an official federal holiday. You do not get off work to go camping, boating or fishing. There may be some parades and observances where you live but most likely not. You probably will not hear it mentioned on the national news or social media.

As a veteran, I fly our flag every day. It is a symbol of the many freedoms a lot of countries do not have. It honors those who fought and died for it.

I do not understand anyone who would dishonor our flag in any way. In this broken world we live in today, I will continue to kneel for the cross, pray for our nation and stand for our flag.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

THE WISDOM OF OLD BOONE

Camping allows us to experience the splendors of our national parks up close. There are hundreds of parks, recreation areas and other facilities. Within these parks are campgrounds open to the public. Campsites are usually available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

A few campgrounds do offer reservations online. Go to www.nps.gov and search for camping areas. National park campgrounds are not expensive and have a maximum stay of 14 days. Amenities are few, but you came to enjoy the park, not the campground. Make a camping memory in our national parks.

“What makes a good father? A good father sets an example that his children want to follow. A good father provides for the needs of his children—both material and non-material. A good father demonstrates his love in both words and actions. A good father provides guidance in a positive fashion.”

- Rob Kozak

Narcan TO BE AVAILABLE Over the Counter This Summer

By this summer, the public will have access to the life-saving drug Narcan, which is used to revive those who overdose.

In late March, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved selling Narcan, the leading version of naloxone, without a prescription. That means the drug will be available over the counter and could help save more lives after a drug overdose.

“I am all for it, and it saves lives,” Teddy Steen, executive director of ASCENT Recovery Residences, said. “It is easy to dispense, and I hope it is reasonably priced.”

Narcan is a nasal spray and is the best-known form of naloxone, which can reverse the effects of overdosing on opioids. Those include street drugs like heroin and fentanyl and prescription drugs like oxycodone. In 2021, more than 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, and from July 2021 to June 22, 107,600 Americans died from overdoses.

By making Narcan accessible over the counter, the hope is more Americans can be saved as family and friends of the addicts can purchase Narcan. The majority of overdose deaths are linked to opioids and primarily to fentanyl.

Another positive about buying over-the-counter Narcan is no record exists of the purchase. Even though Narcan is available now with a

prescription, some people don’t want to fulfill it because they don’t want their name attached to the purchase, or they don’t want their insurance company to know about the purchase.

“Parents should have access to the drug and need to have it,” Steen said. “I hope everybody can get it, and people doing drugs also need it with them at all times due to the nature of the drugs on the streets.”

While police, first responders and community organizations have had access to Narcan and even distributed it, the drug has not been easily accessible. Now, those in rural areas and places where pharmacies don’t exist can get Narcan. Over-the-counter sales will allow convenience stores, supermarkets and online retailers to sell it. Also, putting naloxone on the shelf means people can buy it with no stigma attached. Emergent BioSolutions, a company based out of Gaithersburg, Maryland, has the approval to distribute Narcan over the counter. Other brands of naloxone and injectable forms are not approved yet but applications are coming before the FDA. Emergent said Narcan should be available over the counter by late summer.

From an AP story published March 29, 2023:

Chuck Ingoglia of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing said in a statement: “The decision represents a decisive, practical and humane approach to help people and flatten the curve of overdose deaths.”