Magazine News
Need a ‘PAWESOME’ Reason to Start Running? Joplin runner Kelly Johnson finds her motivation by running with shelter dogs
By Savanah Mandeville • Photos by Mandy Edmonson A common piece of advice given to people starting a fitness journey is, “Do it for you.” And it’s solid advice. But Kelly Johnson’s story as a runner started a little differently. In fact, Kelly might challenge aspiring...
Exeter Corn Maze Eight Acres of Fun for the Entire Family
By Savanah Mandeville “We are everything fall and Halloween in one spot,” said Artie Cole, who owns Exeter Corn Maze with his wife, Robyn. “Our slogan has become, ‘It’s just more fun here’ because everybody tells us that!” Located on State Highway MM, Exeter Corn Maze...
For the Love of Dogs: Posh Dogs Boutique
By Kathleen Swift • Photos by Mandy Edmonson Kelli Starkweather started dreaming about owning a dog boutique when her Brussels Griffon, Milla Mae, first came into her life 11 years ago. “At the time,” said Starkweather, “I was traveling all over the United States for...
12th annual Cutest Pet Contest
Once again, in our 12th annual Cutest Pet Contest, the pets of the Four States have proven to be the cutest around. From horses and bunnies, to cats and dogs and hamsters, these cuties have won our hearts. One hundred percent of the entry fees will benefit the Joplin...
Why I Run Survivor: How Runner Laura Land Turned Tragedy Into Triumph
By Savanah Mandeville • Photos by Mandy Edmonson We all know the physical benefits of exercise, but the mental health benefits all too often go overlooked. Joplin-based runner Laura Land will be the first to tell you running is a way of life for her because of the...
Outstanding Teacher – Kristin Whitton starts Lamar’s first Special Olympics team
By Savanah Mandeville Kristin Whitton truly loves what she does. As a special education teacher at Lamar High School, every single day of work offers rewards and challenges that let her know she has found her true calling. “I quickly fell in love with special...
A Community Effort – Citizens of Lamar pull together to raise funds for historic Barco Drive-In
By Savanah Mandeville Through a variety of fundraising efforts, the citizens of Lamar were able to raise over $40,000 toward a new projector for a beloved pillar of the community: Barco Drive-In Theater. Barco Manager Scott Kelley discovered the projector in the...
President Dean Van Galen Leading Missouri Southern State University
By Kathleen Swift Photo by Artistic Expressions Photography Dr. Dean Van Galen began his tenure as the sixth president of Missouri Southern State University July 1 with a welcome breakfast with faculty and staff. Later that morning, Van Galen hosted a roundtable...
WHY I RUN Julie Reams: Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone
By Savanah Mandeville • Photos by Mandy Edmonson Some people are born with natural athletic abilities. Julie Reams, membership/special events director for the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, is not one of those people. “I didn’t play sports in high school or...
True North: Developing Leaders
By Kathleen Swift Jimmy Burgess envisioned a new style of team building and leadership training that would operate in a military style. It would be a place where veterans and others could discover strengths in themselves and do things they didn’t know were possible....
Honoring Our Military – Featuring local veterans
Articles and photos by Amy Howe Fredric R. Wheeler II Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa Current Town: Joplin, Missouri Branch: Navy | Rank: LCDR (04) MOS: 8402 Independent Duty Submarine Corpsman as enlisted Physician’s assistant as a warrant officer and pediatrician as a...
Casting a Line in the SEK: An Anglers’ Paradise
By Connor J. Ossowski, District Fisheries Biologist Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism It was the first day of what felt like summer without the consistency of the forecast showing a chance of rain. It was 5:30 in the morning, and I was heading out to...
Faces & Places
Connect2Culture’s Meet, Greet and Thank You Cocktail Reception
Connect2Culture’s Meet, Greet and Thank You Cocktail Reception Happy hour, hors d’oeuvres and honoring the local arts community…Sharon and Lance Beshore partnered with Connect2Culture (C2C) to host a gathering of creative individuals, organizations and businesses at...
Comedy for Camp
Comedy for Camp Guests at the Fourth Annual Comedy for Camp laughed for a good cause Saturday, March 30. The event, hosted by Soroptimist International of Joplin, was held at 6 pm at Wilder’s Event Center, 1208 S. Main in Joplin, to benefit Jasper County Foster...
Jasper County Collector Steve Holt Retirement Party
Jasper County Collector Steve Holt Retirement Party Thank you for 30 years of service, Steve Holt! The Jasper County collector celebrated three decades of public service with a retirement party at the Carthage Courthouse Friday, February 22, from 1-3 pm. Public...
Fifth Annual March O’ the Kidney
Fifth Annual March O’ the Kidney The Fifth Annual March O’ the Kidney walk was held at 8 am March 9 at Northpark Mall. This one-mile walk is held to raise awareness and funds for those suffering from kidney disease, a life-threatening condition that affects millions...
Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Business Expo
Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Business Expo, presented by Omega Mod Group, was a HUGE success. “We had an amazing turnout from the community, with over 2,300 people attending and almost 100 vendors. These two things combined with a high energy made the...
Carthage Business Expo and Home Show
Carthage Business Expo and Home Show The annual Carthage Chamber of Commerce Business Expo and Home Show was held from 10 am to 3 pm Saturday, March 9, at the CRM Auditorium, 1900 S. Grand. The expo serves as an opportunity for businesses and members of the public to...
Grand Lake Boat and Sport Show
Grand Lake Boat and Sport Show The 22nd Annual Grand Lake Boat and Sport Show was held at the Grove Civic Center March 7-10. This yearly tradition ushers in spring and is a chance for families to plan for their summer on the Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. Visitors got...
Carl Junction Business Expo
Carl Junction Business Expo Follow the call of the disco ball! The Carl Junction Area Chamber of Commerce partnered with Aire Internet to present this year’s Business Expo from 9 am to 2 pm Saturday, March 2, at the Carl Junction Community Center, 303 N. Main....
Kayla Weston’s Birthday Party at Spencer’s Sweet Call
Kayla Weston’s Birthday Party Happy 13th Birthday, Kayla Weston! If you ask Kayla or any of her friends what it’s like to grow up in Webb City, they’d tell you they love going to Cardinals ball games, catching a movie downtown and shopping at the local...
Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce 2019 Business EXPO: A Portrait of Success
Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce 2019 Business EXPO: A Portrait of Success Love a good success story? The Joplin Business EXPO was picture perfect! The 27th annual event, hosted by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, showcased area businesses to the community....
Go Red for Women®
Go Red for Women® Freeman Health System employees painted the health system red Friday, February 1. Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute physicians, staff and Paula Baker, Freeman president and chief executive officer, wore red for the American Heart Association’s...
Chamber Celebrates Carthage at Banquet
Chamber Celebrates Carthage at Banquet The Carthage Chamber of Commerce celebrated the past year with a Casino Royale theme at their 2019 Annual Banquet Friday, Jan. 18, at the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer reception hall. Over 400 Chamber...