The Okee Dokee Brothers

Childhood friends Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing have always loved exploring the outdoors. Now, as the Grammy Award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers, they put this passion for nature at the heart of their musical collaborations. With witty lyrics, strong musicianship and unique folk style, The Okee Dokee Brothers perform for families across the nation, inspiring them to step outside and develop a deeper respect for the natural world, their communities and themselves.

“Our new album came out a few weeks ago, and it’s the perfect setting for what we’re doing,” Joe Mailander said. “It’s about a bunch of critters in the woods on their way back to finding community. We’ve noticed a bit of separation in our world lately, and I think the coming back to our sense of community theme is an important one at this time.”

The performance will be a family-oriented and participatory one. “We encourage dancing and singing along,” Mailander said. “The kids learn the songs, and if something happens and we forget the lyrics, they are right there to remind us of what’s next.”

Mailander describes their musical style as “old timey folk” and said, “We just like the positivity of it. Nature inspires us, and we decided to stop sitting in our basements talking about nature and to get out and have adventures in it. That really inspired us to write more.”

The dynamic musical duo has been friends since they were three years old and began playing songs in high school. “We love each other and share the stage with respect for one another,” Mailander said. “Our families support us, and we have a nice life with a nice slow growth in our musical careers. I don’t see that stopping anytime soon.”

Want to Go?

June 3, 2023 • 7:30 p.m.

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

Tickets: $10-$20

Series: Ignite Series

Want to Go?

May 13, 2023 • 7:30 p.m.

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

Tickets: $20

Series: Cornell Series

Congratulations to our nominees and winners of the Carl Junction Area Community Awards! We had an amazing evening celebrating with over 200 people representing businesses, organizations and school staff who love, advocate and support our community. The 2023 winners are:

- Excellence in Customer Service: Bailey’s Family Dining

- Innovation in Service: Trackside Burgers & BBQ

- Rookie of the Year: Spirit Junction

- Non-Profit of the Year: FosterAdopt Connect Joplin

- Citizen of the Year: Tera Miller

- Chamber Member of the Year: Julianna Crow

- Business of the Year: Higdon Florist & Delivery

SAVE THE DATE! Second Tuesday in the Park returns this year in Memorial Park in Carl Junction Tuesday, June 13, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Expect fun and games, food trucks, vendors, crafts, bounce houses, and the NEW splash pad in Carl Junction will be open! June’s theme is Sports Night, sponsored by Kraft Insurance Services.

Spring is certainly in the air in Carthage, and the Chamber is getting geared up for all the great things happening here. The first weekend in May is the city-wide garage sales, from the 5th to the 7th. Garage sale maps will be available in the after-hours outside box at the Carthage Chamber at 402 South Garrison Avenue. This anticipated event brings hundreds of visitors to the town every year to treasure hunt for great deals and steals!

The Carthage Chamber, along with MSSU Small Business Development Center, will host its EmPOWERing Women in Leadership Inaugural Leadership Conference May 10. This will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Carthage Memorial Hall, 407 South Garrison Avenue. Attendees will hear from the SBDC on best practices from how to start up a business, having the correct business plans and many advantages women have in owning their own business. A panel of three Carthage businesswomen will share their successes and failures juggling family life on their way to the top. Guests will also be enlightened to hear from the keynote speaker, KOAM TV Vice President and General Manager Brook Arnold, who will share her story of how she came from a metropolitan area at an Indiana NBC station before settling locally in central Missouri. The cost to attend is $20, which includes lunch. Tickets may be purchased at www. carthagechamber.com.

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!