Connecting the People, Places, Businesses and Culture of the Ozarks for more than 23 years

Since 2001, Show Me The Ozarks Magazine has showcased what makes the four-states such a fantastic place to live, work, play and visit.

We continue to celebrate with you, our loyal readers and advertisers, all that makes our region exceptional. The sights and the sounds. The parks and the trails. The dining. The shopping. The sports and the theatre. The nightlife and the day trips. The rich heritage and the promising future.

Show Me The Ozarks Magazine promises to provide you with the highest possible level of quality, integrity and professionalism possible. If you have a story that you’d like to share with our readers, or if you have comments, questions or suggestions, we would like to hear from you!

Seasons Change, and I’m Not Sad

Winter Will Leave Soon

 Wow, we have so many talented photographers in the Four States! The photossubmitted for our 15th Annual Nature Photo Contest were beautiful andpowerful. I’m thankful I wasn’t a judge because I’m not sure I could have chosenonly a few winners. Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyonewho submitted photos. All the money raised from the entry fee go directly to theWildcat Glades Nature Group.Things to remember as you spend this year taking nature photos for the 16thAnnual Nature Photo Contest in 2026 are to shoot the picture vertically whenpossible and don’t make the shot so tight that there’s no space for the Show MeThe Ozarks Magazine cover masthead.Next up is the 23rd Annual 4-States Baby Contest. The winner will receive aprofessional photography session, and his or her photo will be on the cover ofour May issue. You have until April 6 to submit photos! Find more information onpage 3 of this issue. All proceeds go toward our local Children’s Miracle NetworkHospital.In this month’s issue, we feature the Joplin and Neosho areas. March 23 is Joplin’s152nd birthday, and we dive into Joplin’s past through the articles in this issue.We also feature the Flower Box City. Neosho residents Art and Vickie Boyt havededicated their lives to building small houses for people who can’t afford largerhomes or people who want cheaper utilities. And who doesn’t want cheaperutilities? We also feature Kim Mailes, a Neosho resident who has dedicated hispost-retirement years to telling the stories of people affected by disasters such ashurricanes and wildfires.It’s exciting that soon we’ll leave winter behind and will enjoy warmertemperatures, green grass and leaves on the trees once again. I enjoy thechanging of our seasons, and I especially enjoy when winter takes a bow andstops bothering us for many months to come.

Sincerely,

 Wendy Brunner, Publisher/Editor 

[email protected] 

P.O. Box 3325 • Joplin, MO 64803 

844.417.SMTO (7686)