Magazine News
Voices & Tap Shoes Take Stage at Cornell Complex
By Ann Leach If you get a feel-good vibe listening to the Voctave concert coming to the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex Oct. 13, there’s a good reason. This a cappella group got their start as Disney’s Voices of Liberty at Epcot Center. The...
Celebrating Community at Apple Butter Makin’ Days
by Brittni Bates, Director, Mt. Vernon Area Chamber of Commerce Apple Butter Makin’ Days (ABMD) is a valued tradition that has continued for more than five decades in Mount Vernon, Missouri. The food and craft festival is scheduled for its 57th year Oct. 13, 14 and...
Pillar of Service: Carthage Water & Electric Plant
By Amy Howe It’s not every day we get to celebrate such a milestone for a company. For 125 years, Carthage Water & Electric Plant (CWEP) has stood as an unwavering pillar of service and reliability to the community of Carthage, Missouri. Since its inception, CWEP...
Why I Run
By Ann Leach Henri Coeme has challenged himself as a runner for most of his life and joined a running club, the Joplin Roadrunners. He became club president three years ago. “We support all runners of any capacity,” Coeme said. “We leave no one behind and provide...
Aurora standout Jose Ibarragets physical at fullback and linebacker
By Don Lowe Whether it’s fullback on offense or linebacker on defense, Aurora Houn’ Dawgs senior two-way standout Jose Ibarra believes showcasing his talent as a starter at both of those positions is all about physicality. Ibarra says playing fullback successfully...
“Breadcrumbs”
The Joplin Little Theatre is partnering with the Area Agency on Aging for a powerful one-night fundraiser on October 5 at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex. “Breadcrumbs,” a play written by Jennifer Haley, is a poetic interpretation of one person’s...
Dr. Ben Yocom is invigorated to serve as Aurora superintendent of schools
By Don Lowe It’s a new era in Aurora (Missouri) R-VIII School District with Dr. Ben Yocom now serving as superintendent of schools, and he envisions, “The Aurora community has a lot of potential. The community is supportive and appreciates the tradition and legacy of...
More than JUST a ‘swim & gym’ facility Monett Area YMCA is a place to belong
By Don Lowe As a vital part of the Ozarks Regional YMCA, which was established more than 100 years ago, Monett (Missouri) Area YMCA is a thriving facility that provides a wide range of activities for residents. This organization’s mission, found on orymca.org,...
Fun-tastic fall experience awaits at the annual Exeter Corn Maze
By Don Lowe Fall is coming and there’s no better evidence of that than the annual Exeter (Missouri) Corn Maze getting under way again early this month. There will be plenty of opportunities for residents and visitors to get excited about all the wide-ranging...
Pierce City Fall Festival includes plein air artists
By Becky Golobsky The Pierce City Fall Festival has expanded its scope with an open invitation to plein air artists to paint scenes from the town and promote the arts in the area. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, the public is invited to all the festivities...
From Idea to Implementation Meet MaKenna Hawkins
By Ann Leach You meet folks all the time who knew at an early age how they wanted the future to look, but there aren’t a lot of them who actually applied the time, energy and skills to make the vision a reality. Meet 16-year-old MaKenna Hawkins, who is doing just...
Karlee McCallister has powerful desire to be powerlifting star at Monett
By Don Lowe A powerful desire to perform at a high level helped propel Monett Cubs junior powerlifting star Karlee McCallister to tremendous results in a sport she only started competing in about a year ago. “Karlee is one of the most competitive individuals I’ve ever...
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...