July 2025 Show Me The Ozarks Magazine

SHOW ME THE OZARKS

July 2025 Contents

30 Chinese Tea Offers Meaningful Connection to People Featuring Barton County

22 Lamar Business Spotlights

24 Looking for the Perfect Day Trip? Visit Barton County!

34 Heartland Horseshoeing School Trains Farriers from Around the Globe

38 Lamar Earns Community of the Year Award for Fourth Time in Six Decades

40 Round and Round: How One Man’s Ego Led to a Circular Cemetery in Liberal

42 Lamar Softball Star Peyton Eddie Loves the Game, Loves the Work

43 Lamar Hoops Star Talon Timmons a ‘Student of the Game’

44 Lamar Football Star Karson Parker Believes Heart, Dedication Keys to Success

45 Lamar Star Sprinter Brenna Morey Races into the Record Books

46 Little Golden City Chapel

47 2025 Lamar Free Fair Schedule

48 Cox Barton County Hospital Earns Top 100

50 Why We Ruck: Honor Flight of the Ozarks

52 Andy Albertson

53 Clay O’Dell

54 Leonard Cutbirth

55 Lucas Turnage

56 Monty Johnson

57 Lee Lake Cover Story

Purcraftea founders David Manke, formerly of Golden City, Missouri, and his wife Sherry, the business is not just another tea company. It is the product of a cross-country and cultural journey, a deep respect for traditional farming practices and a belief that tea is more than just a drink; it’s an experience.

Can you find it?

What’s Happening in the Ozarks

8 Cultural Arts & Entertainment

10 Calendar of Events: Summer fun is everywhere in July! Cool off at the Shoal Creek Water Festival or have your kids take a Camping 101 class to prepare them for family fun in a tent. If music makes you happy, check out the music in the park events around the area. And if it’s too hot out, attend a creative indoor class to learn to work with clay or make jewelry. Say hello to summer!

23 Business Spotlight

15 Faces & Places: Community Support Services’ Rhythm & Brews

home/lifestyle

18 Tastes of the 4-States: Tractors BBQ & Grill

20 Show Me Dining Guide

33 Recipe: Jana’s Pasta Salad

64 The Great Outdoors: If the World had a Front Porch

66 A Naturalist Voice: May I Quote You?

in every edition health

68 Fit for Life: Your Sleep Habits Could be Sabotaging Your Health

70 Freeman Health System: Walk with a Doc

71 Health Events

Find the GREEN smiley face on one of our pages! Email wendy@ showmetheozarks.com with the page number, the spot where you found it and your mailing address. Submit your entry by the 15th of the month. A winner will be drawn from all the correct entries and will receive a free one-year subscription to the magazine. If you’re already a subscriber, your subscription will be extended by one year.

Congratulations to Nettie Rummel of Bronaugh, Missouri, the winner of the June edition Find the Green Smiley Face contest! Nettie wins a free one-year subscription to Show Me The Ozarks Magazine. The Green Smiley was on page 35 on the top picture of the “space capsule.”

72 The ROCC and Joplin Police Dept. Hosting Expungement Event July 4

13 Joplin Arts District

16 Spotlight on Carthage

60 Joplin-area Civil Air Patrol: Serving Communities, Saving Lives and Shaping Futures of Young Cadetst

62 The Short Rest: Fantasy-themed, All-ages Bar and Restaurant is a Gathering Space for Fans of Dungeons & Dragons, Fae Folk and Other Mystical Realms

Investing in your future

PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Wendy Brunner

PUBLISHER

Kevin Elrod

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Joely Edwards

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Cyndi King

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Brooklyn Cady

STAFF WRITERS

Bridget Bauer

Jeff Cantrell

Amy Howe

Don Lowe

Kevin McClintock

Bradley Morris

Heather Reynolds

Allison Riechman-Bennett

Kristi Spencer

Larry Whiteley

PHOTOGRAPHER

Mandy Edmonson

DISTRIBUTION

Kevin Elrod

Gary and Desma Sisco

Cemetery Oddity, Chinese Tea and Military Honors

Well, somehow the year is halfway over. It seems like once Independence Day gets here, the summer is pretty much gone. But I’m not ready to think about back to school season and fall just yet.

Our July issue focuses on the Barton County, Missouri, area, and I’m excited to share the stories from Lamar, Liberal and Golden City with you. Our cover story features David Manke, a former Golden City resident who now lives in China with his wife Sherry. Read about their journey to introduce highquality, ethically grown tea from China to the rest of the world. We also introduce you to the Barton County tourist areas you don’t want to miss. And, I like discovering regional oddities, so I was intrigued to find out why all the residents in a Liberal cemetery are buried in a circular pattern rather than in the traditional grid layout.

We’re also proud to honor our military in this issue. We dedicate several pages to individual soldiers’ stories, plus you’ll read about the Civil Air Patrol and how it teaches local youth to be true leaders. Our Why I Run feature is called Why We Ruck this month because of three local men who strapped 35-pound rucksacks to their backs and put themselves in the Bataan Death March soldiers’ shoes to raise money for Honor Flight of the Ozarks. I think you’ll be moved by their actions.

And, as always, there are many more informative articles to read in Show Me The Ozarks Magazine.

We live in interesting times, but I still think we live in the best country in the world. Americans are so much more than the politicians who represent us or arguing with people who have an “I’m right, you’re wrong” mentality. We can’t control our politicians or what our neighbor believes, but we can live and love in a way that makes the current servicemen, servicewomen and veterans proud of us as American citizens. Have a blessed and safe Fourth of July!

SINCERELY,

Wendy Brunner, Publisher/Editor wendy@showmetheozarks.com

P.O. Box 3325 • Joplin, MO 64803

844.417.SMTO (7686)

CULTURAL ARTS & Entertainment

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

July 4: Summer Concert Series – Concert #3, 1 p.m., Northpark Mall, 101 N. Range Line Rd., Joplin, MO. The finale for Heartland Concert Band's Summer Concert Series! All ages welcome. Free. More information: Heartland Concert Band, HeartlandBandDirector@gmail.com.

July 8: John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band, 7 p.m., The Coda Concert House, 2120 E. 24th St., Joplin, MO. As the bandleader and lead guitarist for Muddy Waters, Jr. Wells, Willie Dixon, and Magic Slim & The Teardrops, John Primer's virtuosity as a blues musician was forged by legends. Having played or recorded with a who's who of blues greats, including Gary Clark Jr., Derek Trucks, Johnny Winter and Buddy Guy, to name a few, John Primer's personal accolades, including Lifetime Achievement Awards, reflect his countless contributions to the history of the blues. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For reservations, email info@codaconcerthouse.com. In response to reservations, a confirmation email with the address, directions, parking, etc., will be sent. All proceeds benefit the artist performing. Suggested donation: $45. More information: info@codaconcerthouse.com.

July 10: Harpsichord Concert, 6:30-8 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 509 Pearl Ave., Joplin, MO. Experience music from master harpsichord composers, performed by Devon Turner. Free. More information: fpc@ fpcjoplin.com, 417.624.2433.

July 13: Ozark Festival Orchestra Marty Beckwith Memorial Benefit Concert, 3-4:30 p.m., Monett High School, 1 David Sippy Dr., Monett, MO. J.C. Fisher, Marcus Collins and others join the Ozark Festival Orchestra, a community orchestra composed of musicians from Southwest Missouri, during an exciting concert! Enjoy a wide variety of musical styles performed by Fisher and Collins, who came in fourth place on “America's Got Talent” with their trio, The Texas Tenors, 15 years ago. VIP packages are available and include prime seating, a meet-and-greet, photo op and souvenir. Tickets may be purchased at ozarkfestivalorchestra.org or at the box office the day of the concert. All proceeds benefit the Ozark Festival Orchestra. Tickets: VIP $50, general admission $20, students (ages 18-under) admitted for free. More information: ozarkfestivalorchestra@ gmail.com, 417.849.6865.

July 19: JOMO Jammin' Music Festival, 4-10 p.m. (gates 3 p.m.), Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Leggett & Platt Green, 212 W. Seventh St., Joplin, MO. A vibrant one-day event, the festival is designed to be fun and engaging for the entire community. To boost community involvement and excitement, most of the performing bands are selected by public vote, giving attendees a direct role in shaping the experience. Free to attend, the festival brings people together for live music, connection and local flavor in the heart of Joplin. This year’s lineup features Project Six; Here, Now; Dance Monkey Dance; Sunset Circle; Blister Soul; and Dawson Hollow. No outside food, drinks, chairs or pets permitted. Blanket seating allowed on the lawn for those not renting chairs. Chairs available to rent for $5/chair. More information: lauren@connect2culture.org, 417.621.9824.

July 19: Concerts in the Park featuring No Apparent Reason, 6-8 p.m., Central Park, 714 S. Garrison Ave., Carthage, MO. The Carthage Council of the Arts has three killer shows lined up, and you won’t want to miss one. So, grab your crew, bring your lawn chairs and make some summer memories! This concert will feature toe-tapping, handclapping, feelgood bluegrass and old-school gospel music. Free. More information: carthagecouncilonthearts@gmail.com.

EVENTS:

May 27-July 20: Joplin Public Library Summer Reading Program – Color Our World, Joplin Public Library, 1901 E. 20th St., Joplin, MO. Encourages

kids, teens and adults to participate in age-appropriate reading challenges and offers incentives for completing challenges, virtual events, take-home kits and more. This year's theme is Color Our World. Registration required for reading challenges and some events; additional details are available at joplinpubliclibrary.org/summer-reading-program. Free. More information: lcrockett@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.7953.

July 7 & 14: Missouri Southern State University Choral Society Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Missouri Southern State University, 3950 E. Newman Rd., Joplin, MO. Hone your gift and enjoy the fellowship of this mixed, community choir. The choir is open to anyone, college age and older, and does not require auditions. Interested singers may attend the first few rehearsals at no charge. Cost: $30 per semester. More information: wbloss@gmail.com, 417.208.9654.

July 7-11 and July 21-25: 2025 Summer Children’s Theatre Workshop, Joplin Little Theatre, 3009 W. First St., Joplin, MO. Two sessions per day each week from which to choose – 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30- 5:30 p.m. The cost is $75 per child per session. Ages 5-14. The sessions each day are the same and themes will change each week. Week 1 is the Battle of the Bands: Dance Competition, and Week 2 is The Greatest Holiday. Register at www.joplinlittletheatre.org, click ‘tickets’ and it will take you to the registration page. You can also register by calling 417.623.3638 Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. -2 p.m.

July 10: First Thursday ArtWalk, 5:30-8:30 p.m., downtown Joplin. See fine art and art at its finest. Dozens of artists will show or demonstrate their artistic process, and all art will be for sale. Participating artists will be located inside various venues along with live, acoustic music from local musicians. Patrons are encouraged to “walk the art” through historic downtown Joplin. Map of participating locations is available at facebook. com/FirstThursdayArtWalkJoplin. Free. More information: lteeter00@ gmail.com, 417.438.5931.

July 10: Joplin Writers' Guild, 6 p.m., Joplin Public Library, 1901 E. 20th St., Joplin, MO. Includes a variety of writers, from hobbyists to professional, published writers. Members have published novels, nonfiction books and articles. The group supports each other and shares information about the publishing and writing industries. Open to the public. Dues are $10 for the year, but anyone interested can attend their first meeting free. More information: s.v.farnsworth@gmail.com, 417.691.0480.

July 14-25: artCentral’s Kids’ Art Camp. Ages 7-10, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., YMCA Youth Activity Center, 400 S. Maple St., Carthage, MO. Ages 11-17, 10 a.m.2:30 p.m., artCentral, 1110 E. 13th St., Carthage, MO. More information, call 417.358.4404 or artcentral1110@gmail.com.

July 17: Third Thursday, 5:30-8:30 p.m. in downtown Joplin. Thousands of people gather on Main Street to enjoy local artisans, music, entertainment and food. Free. More information: info@downtownjoplin. com, 417.501.9649.

July 24: Open Mic Night, 7-9:30 p.m., Joplin Avenue Coffee Company, 506 S. Joplin Ave., Joplin, MO. Performers are each allotted five to eight minutes per set. Two vocal mics, a quarter-inch plug-in for guitar/ piano, and an aux cable will be available. To sign up early, message them at facebook.com/joplinavecoffeeco. All ages welcome. Free. More information: autumn@joplinavenuecoffeecompany.com, 417.206.5222.

EXHIBITS:

May 12-Aug. 7: “What Dreams May Come” by Joplin Regional Artists Coalition (JRAC), Missouri Southern State University Cragin Art Gallery, 3950 E. Newman Rd, Joplin, MO. It’s a dream come true. See a collection of 37 pieces of artwork from the talented artists of JRAC. Free. More information: bentley-c@mssu.edu, 417.625.9563.

June 21-Aug. 9: “Authenticity EXE – Between Presence and Projection,” Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Spiva Center for the Arts, 212 W. Seventh St., Joplin, MO. While Spiva Center for the Arts' exhibit “Behind the Mask” deals with the various personas that people

inhabit as they navigate through life, “Authenticity EXE – Between Presence and Projection” deals with how the digital world impacts identity. This exhibit is about digital identity, virtual spaces and mental health. The key goal is to engage visitors in experiences that allow them to interact with these concepts in a fun way while prompting them to reflect on their own relationship with the digital world. Free; donations appreciated. More information: sconroy@spivaarts.org, 417.623.0183.

June 21-Aug. 9: “Behind the Mask,” Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Spiva Center for the Arts, 212 W. Seventh St., Joplin, MO. “Behind the Mask” challenges audiences to examine how we navigate the complex relationship between our public selves and our private identities. Whether literal, metaphorical or psychological, the "mask" serves as a symbol of the roles we adopt, the facades we construct and the truth we conceal. More information: sconroy@ spivaarts.org, 417.623.0183.

July 3-26: “Uniquely You, A Tween Project,” Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Spiva Center for the Arts, 212 W. Seventh St., Joplin, MO. Kobie and Tyler Langford, of Be Still Photography, present a collection of images from area tweens in their element. Tweens are the most overlooked age group when it comes to photography, so this exhibit aims to capture their vibrant personalities and highlight a few of the most interesting aspects of what makes up each of their unique personalities and characteristics—what makes them uniquely them! More information: sconroy@spivaarts.org, 417.623.0183.

July 10–Aug. 17: Summer Reading Art Challenge 2025 Exhibit, Joplin Public Library, 1901 E. 20th St., Joplin, MO. Creativity and imagination abound in this exhibit, which features artwork created for Post Art Library's Summer Reading Art Challenge 2025! Each piece was inspired by the Missouri state-wide theme for Summer Reading, Color Your World. Art in the library is curated by the Post Art Library. Free. More information: jill@postartlibrary.org, 417.623.7953 X1041.

CLASSES:

July 11: Trinket Dish (ages 18-up), 6-8 p.m., April’s Art House, 11217 Eider Ln., Carthage, MO. Artist April Davis-Brunner will help participants create two unique clay trinket dishes. Registration required; register by calling or texting April at 417.358.6329. All materials included. Cost: $45. More information: aprildavisfineart@gmail.com, 417.358.6329.

July 12: Colorful Watercolor Pineapples + Mimosas with Stacy (ages 21-up), 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Spiva Center for the Arts, 212 W. Seventh St., Joplin, MO. This class is designed for beginners and seasoned artists. Guided by Stacy Heydt, participants will paint a vibrant and colorful pineapple—a traditional symbol of hospitality and sunshine. Mimosas will be served as participants explore blending, layering and playful watercolor techniques. Registration required; register in person or at spivaarts.org/ event/colorful-watercolor-pineapples-mimosas-with-stacy. Cost: $30. More information: dhernandez@spivaarts.org, 417.621.9813.

July 12: Clay Class with Stephanie Roy (ages 14-up), 1:30-4:30 p.m., Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Spiva Center for the Arts, 212 W. Seventh St., Joplin, MO. Whether you’re looking to hand build or just want more time on the wheel, this class with artist Stephanie Roy is your chance to dive into clay! Students will create two wheel-thrown pieces and one hand-built sculpture. All materials provided, and the fee includes both firings and final glazing. Beginners welcome—come ready to get your hands dirty and discover the joy of ceramics. Registration required; register in person or at spivaarts. org/event/clay-class-with-stephanie-roy. Cost: $60. More information: dhernandez@spivaarts.org, 417.621.9813.

July 19: Intro to Photography: Telling Stories Through the Lens with Drew Kimble (ages 17-up), 10:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m., Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Spiva Center for the Arts, 212 W. Seventh St., Joplin, MO. Taught by Drew Kimble of 12Eighty One, this introductory photography

class is designed to help you move beyond auto mode and into the creative possibilities of manual shooting. You’ll learn how to confidently use your camera’s manual settings—including shutter speed, aperture and ISO—while exploring essential elements like composition, lighting and perspective. Students should bring their own camera. Spiva has a small quantity of cameras that can be loaned for the duration of the class. Contact dhernandez@ spivaarts.org if you are interested in a camera loan. Registration required; register in person or at spivaarts.org/event/intro-to-photography-with-drewkimble. Cost: $45. More information: dhernandez@spivaarts.org, 417.621.9813.

July 26: Basic Leatherworking – Drawstring Pouch with Adria Garrison (ages 21-up), 12:30-4:30 p.m., Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Spiva Center for the Arts, 212 W. Seventh St., Joplin, MO. Sip wine, enjoy a charcuterie board and learn the foundations of leathercraft in this relaxing afternoon class. Cut, punch and lace your way to a leather drawstring pouch—perfect for carrying treasures or giving as a handmade gift. All tools and materials provided. No experience required. Registration required; register in person or at spivaarts.org/ event/basic-leatherworking-drawstring-pouch-with-adria-garrison. Cost: $55. More information: dhernandez@spivaarts.org, 417.621.9813.

RECURRING CLASSES:

Create N Sip Studios, 1505 W. 10th St., Joplin, MO:

Wednesdays: Wine'd Down Wednesday, 5-9 p.m. A Canvas and Home Decor DIY Event. Choose the project that works for you. Prices vary depending on chosen project. Cost: $28-$58. More information: 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 Studios help you create a masterpiece. Prices vary depending on chosen project. Cost: $28$176. More information: coleman@creatensip.com, 417.680.5434.

Firehouse Pottery-Joplin, 112 S. Main St., Joplin, MO:

Tuesdays: Ladies’ Night Out (ages 18-up), until 8 p.m. Enjoy a creative evening. Free studio fees. More information: firehousepotteryjoplin@ gmail.com, 417.553.0671.

Fridays: Date Night, until 8 p.m. Friday nights are date night 2-for-1 studio fees for all couples. More information: firehousepotteryjoplin@ gmail.com, 417.553.0671.

Judy’s Ballroom Dance, 3950 E. Newman Rd., Joplin, MO:

Mondays-Fridays: Judy's Ballroom Dance Private Lessons. With private lessons, Judy Schneider can help transform you into a skilled, elegant dancer! Call Judy at 417.392.0215 to book your private lesson. Cost: $50 per hour. More information: schneider-j@mssu.edu, 417.392.0215.

Spiva Center for the Arts, 212 W. Seventh St., Joplin, MO:

Fridays: Mini Makers with Jade Henning-Cantrell (ages 2-5), 10:1511:15 a.m. Each week features a new theme with hands-on activities that encourage exploration, improve fine motor skills and boost confidence. With their parent or guardian’s guidance, little artists will experiment with different art materials, meet new friends and enjoy a mix of movement and music to keep the energy flowing. Registration required; register at spivaarts.org. Cost: $8. More information: dhernandez@spivaarts.org, 417.621.9813.

Tanglefooter's Round Dance Club, 1802 W. Second St., Joplin, MO:

Mondays: Tanglefooter's Round Dance Club, 7-8 p.m. Tanglefooter’s Round Dance Club has taught beginner- and intermediate-level ballroom dancing to many members of the Joplin community, and you can join the fun. Learn choreographed ballroom dancing with our experienced teachers. Ages 14 through adult are welcome. Cost: Individual $7.50, couple $15. More information: mike@gfeneosho.com, 417.529.0686.

SHOW ME Calendar of Events

What’s Happening

in the Ozarks

If you have an event you would like to see listed in the Calendar of Events, please email your request to: wendy@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

Carthage, MO: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Central Park, 714 Garrison Ave.

Joplin, MO: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Empire Market, 931 E. 4th St.

Lamar, MO: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, Moore Pavilion, 10th & Poplar St. Neosho, MO: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, historic downtown Neosho. Also, Tuesdays during peak season (mid-June through mid-August), 4-7 p.m.

Webb City, MO: Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Thursdays (July ONLY) 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturdays (all year long), 9 a.m.-noon, 106 E. Tracy St. Parsons, KS: Through Oct. 31. Tuesdays, 3-6 p.m.; Saturdays 8-11 a.m.; northeast corner of Forest Park at the corner of Heacock and Broadway. Pittsburg, KS: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, Farmer’s Market Pavilion, 119 E. 11th St. (Join us for Kids’ Day on the third Saturday each month.)

Grove, OK: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Community Center Lawn, 104 W. Third St.

Quapaw, OK: First and third Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 326 Main St. Carl Junction Community Center: 303 N. Main St., 417.649.7237

First Saturday of the Month: Carl Junction Lions Breakfast: 8-11 a.m. The CJ Lions Club sponsors a monthly buffet breakfast with proceeds going to various community organizations and projects. Adults and children 11-up, $7; children ages 3-10, $3; children 3-under eat free.

Monday, Wednesday & Friday Pickleball: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, noon-3 p.m. Thursday, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Yoga at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

JOPLIN, MO

Aug. 1-3: Emancipation Celebration, Ewert Park. Join the Emancipation Celebration Committee for a free three-day event honoring African American history, culture and achievement. Emancipation Day is celebrated at various times throughout the country and is also referred to as Juneteenth nationally. In Joplin, this celebration is known as the Emancipation Celebration and is recognized in August. This year's event marks the 100th year anniversary of the celebration being held in Joplin's Ewert Park. With activities for all ages – including a car show, gaming tournaments, live music, historical education, storytelling and a kids’ movie night –Emancipation Day brings together families, friends and community members from across the region. See the schedule of events and times on Facebook @Joplin Emancipation Park Days or at www. joplinemancipation.com. For more information or to get involved, email joplinemancipation@gmail.com or call 417.438.4980.

Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center, 201 W. Riviera Dr. Your local connection to Missouri’s fish, forests and wildlife. Check out the

native plants, landscaping and 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.

July 2: Colors of Summer, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Registration required through Joplin Public Library. Ages: Families with children 17-under. Joplin Public Library, 1901 E. 20th St. Summer is the perfect time to learn about Missouri wildflowers. Join us to explore flowers inside and out, while discovering why they are important to wildlife. During this program, we will discuss basic flower anatomy and create some easy watercolor floral artwork. Register with the Joplin Public Library by calling 417.623.7953.

July 8 & 11: Summer Reading Programs at Local Libraries, Tuesday, July 8, 10-11 a.m. at Newton County Library (Neosho, Missouri); and McDonald County Library (Pineville, Missouri). Tuesday, July 8, 2-3 p.m. at McDonald County Library (Southwest City, Missouri); and Newton County Library (Seneca, Missouri). Friday, July 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at McDonald County Library (Pineville, Missouri). Note: Join local Missouri Department of Conservation naturalists for a nature-themed program at your local library. For more information, please contact the libraries.

July 15: Stream Fishing – Shoal Creek, 6-7:30 p.m. Registration required. Ages: 11-up. We are blessed with so many fishing opportunities in our local streams. Here is your chance to learn about stream fishing. We will fish at Allen Bridge Conservation Access near Neosho, Missouri. You will have the opportunity to fish from the bank or get into the river and wade fish. You are encouraged to bring your own fishing equipment, but we will have rods, reels and lures available for participants to use.

July 25: Little Acorns – Slithery Snakes, 10:30-11 a.m. Registration required. Ages: Recommended for ages 3-7. Some people love them, some people fear them, but either way you look at them, snakes play an important role in our ecosystems. Join us to learn more about these fascinating reptiles and make a slithery craft to take home with you.

Local Color Art Gallery & Studio, 1027 S Main St. A cooperative of local artists showcasing their art in the gallery and often working in the studio at the historical Gryphon Building in downtown Joplin. We offer art classes to adults and children. Call Local Color Art Gallery & Studio at 417.553.0835 for further inquiries.

Tuesdays: Beginner’s Watercolor Class with Barb Hicklin (ages 8-up), 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Bring your own supplies. Cost $20.

Thursdays or Fridays (July 10, 18 & 24): Impasto Oil Painting Class with Tricia Courtney, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Learn the techniques and tricks of painting thick with a painting knife. Bring your own supplies (canvas board, oil paint, brushes and palette/painting knives). Cost $20.

July 11: Watercolor Class with Joan Allen (ages 8-up), 10 a.m.-noon or 1-3 p.m. If you provide supplies, cost is $18, or all supplies included for $30.

July 12: Ceramic Wren House Class with April Davis Brunner (all ages), 5-7 p.m. Includes all supplies. Cost $45.

July 19: FUNdamentals of Paint Pouring Class with Mary Parks (ages 9-up), 6 p.m. One 8”x 10” and one 11” x 14” canvas. Includes all supplies. Cost $40.

July 23: “Christmas in July.” Make a Christmas Tree on a Log Stand or Ornament Class with Jane McCaulley (ages 8-up), 3:30-5:30 p.m. Includes all supplies. Cost $35.

July 26: Saturday Paint Class with Jesse McCormick & Margie Moss (ages 8-up), 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Includes all supplies and an ice cream cone from Caroline’s. No experience necessary. Paint a Monet or Van Gogh, or bring a picture of what you would like to paint. Cost $30. Wildcat Glades Friends Group, 201 Riviera Dr. All programs are free of charge, unless otherwise noted. Registration is requested. To register, email robin@wildcatglades.org or visit our Facebook page for online registration options. Robin Standridge, executive director, robin@ wildcatglades.org, 417.291.3156.

Two Saturdays in July: Wildcat Park Habitat Restoration (Check our Facebook Page for the workday schedule or email robin@ wildcatglades.org). Join Missouri Southern State University and Kansas City University Students for a Sustainable Future, and other community members, in removing invasive Wintercreeper to make way for native plants to reclaim their space. Native plants feed and help prevent soil erosion, thereby improving the water quality of Shoal Creek. We will meet at the old Redings Mill bridge parking lot and then walk a short distance to the work site. Please dress for the weather and to work outside in the dirt. Protect yourself from poison ivy and the sun. We will provide gloves and water to refill your bottles.

July 9 & 12: Preschool Connections – “Wooly Bear Caterpillar,” July 9, 10-11 a.m., and July 12, 1-2 p.m., Wildcat Glades Education Cottage. Ages 3-7, accompanied by an adult. Free to attend. This program is sponsored by Calvin Cassidy. Caterpillars come in many bright colors. Have you ever wondered what they become? Join us to learn about their amazing transformation into butterflies and enjoy a fun caterpillar craft with some playtime. Discover “Wooly Bear Caterpillar” as read by our very own Ms. Vicki. To register, visit https://bit.ly/WoolyCaterpillars or email sara@wildcatglades.org.

July 19: Shoal Creek Water Festival. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wildcat Park. Free to attend. Generously sponsored by Missouri American Water. Get ready for some awesome activities like cardboard boat races crafted by clever and brave participants, shoebox boat races where kids can showcase their cool creations, and a thrilling rubber duck race. Plus, there will be snow cones, food, live entertainment and tons of fun for the whole family. Want to join in on the cardboard or shoebox boat races, or want to purchase ducks? Visit www.wildcatglades.org for registration information. Shoebox boat registration is just $5. Cardboard boat registration is $35, while rubber ducks can be purchased $5 for one, $10 for 3 and $20 for 7.

July 25: Nature Explorers – Camping 101, 6-7 p.m., Wildcat Education Cottage. Free to attend. Ages 7-14. Embark on a learning journey with us as we uncover the secrets of camping. Camping is a fantastic way to spend your summer, and we’re here to ensure you’re well prepared. Bring your explorers to learn the art of setting up and packing the tent, being ready for a bustling camping area and choosing the ideal campsite. Campers will learn outdoor safety and fire-building skills in a kid-friendly format. Campers in training will wrap up the evening by roasting marshmallows. To equip yourself with knowledge, visit our Facebook page or call us to register.

Note: The Wildcat Glades Nature Group is dedicated to protecting the area known as Wildcat Park and the surrounding chert glade environment, habitat and wildlife by promoting awareness and sustainability, providing education and recreation space and programs, and sponsoring nature-based activities.

DIAMOND, MO

George Washington Carver National Monument Visitor Center Free Programs. Two miles west of Diamond, Missouri, on Highway V, one-quarter 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 park grounds.

July 5 & 6: Film – Becoming Frederick Douglass (60 minutes), 1 p.m.

A documentary on the life of Frederick Douglass. Born into slavery, Douglass gained prominence as a statesman, abolitionist and voice of democracy in American history.

July 12: Carver Day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Celebrate 82 years of George Washington Carver National Monument and the life and legacy of George Washington Carver with guest speakers, musical groups, exhibitors, guided tours, educational programs, activities for kids and much more. Also, earn a Carver Day Junior Ranger Badge.

July 19 & 20: Farmward to the Future, 1 p.m. George Washington Carver was known as the “first and greatest chemurgist.” Learn about the Chemurgy Movement and “chemicalize the farm” with a hands-on bioplastics activity.

July 26 & 27: Ranger’s Choice, 1 p.m. Join a Ranger for a special topic program. Inquire for details.

LAMAR,

MO

July 11: Freedom Cruise/Christmas in July, 5 p.m., Lamar Square. Please bring a new, unopened, unwrapped gift for a child in need. Top 3 Freedom Cruise trophies, food trucks and homemade ice cream! Follow on Facebook @LamarCruiseNight or call 417.214.2378 or 417.214.5436.

July 24: Wyatt Earp Park Wild West Mouse Race, doors open at 6 p.m., races start at 7 p.m., The Belt Cocktail Company, 1026 Broadway. Proceeds go toward a Western-themed mural at Wyatt Earp Park. For more information, call 417.682.3595

PARSONS, KS

Music in the Park, Seaton Family Pavilion, Forest Park, 204 S. 13th St. All concerts scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. July 4: Community Band (patriotic celebration); July 10: The Bonnie Situation (‘90s); July 17: Predator Country Show Band & Revue (country); July 24: Haymakers (Americana); season finale: July 31: PK Jam, featuring a tribute to The Cars, REO Speedwagon and ‘80s Bon Jovi. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/musicintheparkparsonskansas.

PITTSBURG, KS

ArtForms Gallery Workshops, 620 N. Broadway. ArtForms Gallery is a co-op of artists offering monthly workshops ranging from acrylic painting, watercolor, glass fusing, pottery, metalsmithing, jewelry, textiles, kids’ art and more. Please call ArtForms Gallery to register for any artist’s workshop. Refunds/Cancellations: Decisions regarding refunds and cancellations are determined by the artist leading the workshop. For more information, call 620.240.0165, check out our Facebook page at ArtFormsGallery620/ or see our website at www. artforms-gallery.com.

Officially Introducing PIE! Some artists are now offering PIE (yum!) during their work shifts. A Pop-in-Experience (PIE) occurs when the artist on duty permits workshop participants to “pop-in” during the work shift and work independently on a project. This is intended as an extra project time, and the participants must be able to work with no instruction. Materials and tools provided by the artist. While registration and payment in advance are not needed, please let the artist know whether to expect you to ensure adequate materials are on hand. Watch the Gallery Facebook feed to see if any “pop-in” PIEs are scheduled.

Every Tuesday: Art Exploration, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Free. Join Gallery Artist Pat Glick every Tuesday afternoon for a fun time working on your own project.

SHOW ME Calendar of Events

July 10 & 24: Come for PIE and Leave with a Wood-burned Project, noon-6 p.m. Workshop fee $15, due at time of registration to reserve your seat. Seats available: four. Ages 14-up. Must have taken a previous wood-burning workshop from Ashley Denham.

July 12: Mandala Rock Painting, 1-3 p.m. Workshop fee $40, due at time of registration to reserve your seat. Class limit of 14. Ages 10-100. Artist: Sarah Prince. Want to add some color to any garden or room in your house? Mandala rock painting is the perfect way to explore creativity, express emotions, enhance artistic skills and relax while doing something fun. In this workshop, you will receive a demonstration and all supplies to create four masterpieces. You can either take your painted rocks home or leave them at ArtForms Gallery to completely dry and then pick them up later.

July 13: Water Marbling, 2-4 p.m. Workshop fee $35, due at time of registration to reserve your seat. Class limit of 10. Ages 12-up. Artist: Mona Jurshak. Create one-of-a-kind marbled paper. Mesmerizing paint floats on the water surface before being transferred to paper in this surface design technique. Beginner friendly. All materials provided.

July 19: ArtForms Gallery is Turning NINE Years Old, 5-8 p.m. Details are still under development, but this celebration is guaranteed to be different.

July 19: Leo Season Personal Artwork, noon-3 p.m. Workshop fee $40, due at time of registration to reserve your seat. Class limit of 8. Ages 16-up. Artist: Neva Rowland. The sun is moving into Leo, we are feeling confident in our aspirations and it’s time for the Leo Season Personal Artwork Workshop. There are two parts to this workshop.

First, Neva will help participants look up their birth charts to see what other astrological luminaries are influencing the Leo area of their chart. Then, using that information, participants will write a personal affirmation or intention they would like to embody during Leo Season to help guide the creation of their artwork. Leo is the outgoing and charismatic member of the Zodiac, and our artworks will feature the dynamic color ORANGE. You don’t need to be a Leo to enjoy and learn a lot in this workshop – all signs are welcome, because we all have Leo somewhere in our birth charts.

July 20: How Do I Price My Artwork? 1-2 p.m. Workshop fee $15, due at time of registration to reserve your seat. Class limit of 15. All ages welcome. Artist: Neva Rowland. Struggling to price your art? Join this empowering workshop to help you gain clarity, confidence and practical tools to value your work and price it with a purpose.

July 24: Pyrography Necklaces, 2-4 p.m. Workshop fee $25, due at time of registration to reserve your seat. Class limit of four. Ages 14up. Artist: Ashley Denham. On a small piece of wood, we will burn and create necklaces. After we draw out what we want, we can then burn it with woodburning tools. Then we will seal it with Mod Pod Sealer. After attaching the necklace, you may take it home.

July 27: Painted Cacti, 1-3 p.m. Workshop fee $35, for each pot of three, due at time of registration to reserve your seat. Class limit of 10. Ages 12up. Artist: Daria Claiborne. Want a cactus that won’t die? Paint one. Use various patterns and rocks to help you create an adorable painted cacti arrangement. All supplies included.

July 31: Pyrography Coasters, 2-4 p.m. Workshop fee $35, due at time of registration to reserve your seat. Class limit of four. Ages 14-up. Artist: Ashley Denham. Draw and burn your own design onto wooden coasters. There will be stencils to choose from as well. We will clear coat your coasters at the end of the class.

Where it’s ‘COOL’ to be YOU!

Visit these local establishments to experience a variety of creative events and entertainment in July.

First Thursday Artwalk, in its 18th year, will happen in historic downtown venues July 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m. See Facebook.com/firstthursdayartwalkjoplinmo. As you walk to inside venues to enjoy the free arts event, listen to the music!

Third Thursday, a free family-friendly street festival on Main Street in downtown Joplin is in its 18th season. The July event is July 17 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

ART EXHIBITS, THEATER AND MUSIC

Cornell Complex, 212 W. Seventh St., home of Connect2Culture and Spiva Center for the Arts. Get tickets/information by calling 417.621.9824. Spiva Center for the Arts Exhibits:

• Uniquely You, A Tween Project, July 3-July 26 in the Jo Mueller Reserve Gallery. Opening reception is July 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Kobe & Tyler Langford, of Be Still Photography, present a collection of images from area tweens, right in their element. Tweens are the most overlooked age group when it comes to photography, so this exhibit aims to capture their vibrant personalities and highlight a few of the most interesting aspects of what makes up each of their unique characteristics - what makes them uniquely them!

• “Behind the Mask,” June 21-Aug. 9. “Behind the Mask” challenges the audience to examine how we navigate the complex relationship between our public selves and our private identities. Whether literal, metaphorical or psychological, the "mask" serves as a symbol of the roles we adopt, the facades we construct and the truth we conceal.

• “Authenticity [EXE]: Between Presence and Projection,” June 21-Aug. 9. While “Behind the Mask” deals with the various personas people inhabit as they navigate through life, “Authenticity [EXE]: Between Presence and Projection” deals with how the digital world impacts identity. What the ramifications are of living in the virtual world instead of the real world. How “experience blockers” affect our mental health, especially children. This exhibit is about digital identity, virtual spaces and mental health; the key goal is to engage visitors in experiences that allow them to interact with the concepts in a fun way while prompting them to reflect on their own relationship with the digital world.

Spiva Center for the Arts Art Classes:

• Studio 55: Open Studio 2-4 p.m. Fridays. An art class for adults over 55 taught by Jesse McCormick. For like-minded artists who are beginners or advanced and in between! Suggested $10 donation at welcome desk. Supplies and mediums available to start a project or bring your project.

• Mini-Makers: 10:15-11 a.m. Wednesdays. Your 2-5-year-old little ones’ weekly art class with adult guidance. New themes, hands-on activities.

• Creative Station: 4-5:15 p.m. Tuesdays. Come and go art activities. Contact Des Hernandez at dhernandez@SpivaArt.org.

Connect2Culture (get tickets by calling 417.621.9824):

• JOMO Jammin’ Music Festival: Saturday, July 19, starts at 4 p.m. on the Leggett & Platt Green at Cornell Complex. Free to attend. Enjoy the bands: Project Six; Here, Now; Dance Monkey Dance!; Sunset Circle; Blister Soul; and Dawson Hollow. Bring your blankets for seating on the lawn or rent a chair for $5. Food baskets can be ordered from Starry Eyed Girl, 512 S. Virginia Ave., for $20 with sweet and savory yums!

Local Color Art Gallery, 1027 S. Main St.:

• Several days a week, one of their 17 artists is teaching a class, such as working with glass, making chimes, painting in oil or with a palette knife. Also, there is a Saturday paint class taught each week by gallery artists from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walk-in or RSVP for guidelines on classes. Contact 417.553.0835 to sign up!

Urban Art Gallery, 511 S. Main St.:

• Contemporary artist Cain Butcher through July. See his show “Here’s My Take on It!” and meet him July 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at his reception.

• Mondays, 6-8 p.m. are adult (18-plus) paint nights. Call 417.438.5931 to sign up. All supplies are included for $25 for an 8 x 10 painting you take home. Instructor is Stacy Heydt. Fun and learn! Remember Earth is EH without ART!

BAR AND RESTAURANT OFFERINGS

Blackthorn Pizza and Pub, 510 S. Joplin Ave.:

• July 11 at 9 p.m., The Less Fortunate: Adenoma: Rage Is MY Rival. $5; ages 21 and up.

• July 12, 9-11 p.m.: Bandit. Tickets $28.52.

• July 19, 10 p.m.: Randall Shreve live! $5 cover, 21 and up.

• July 25, 9 p.m.: Beer & Burlesque. $10 cover, ages 21 and up.

Brew Pub & Parlour, 817 S. Main St.: Savagio karaoke every Tuesday and Thursday 8 p.m.-midnight.

Chaos Brewing Company, 112 S. Main St.: Free trivia night Wednesdays 6:45-9:45 p.m.

Club 609, 609 S. Main St., presents painter Bonnie Pugh showing her delightful dog and cat portraits during July. All proceeds go to the Carthage Humane Society. Her reception is July 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Joplin Avenue Coffee Company, 506 S. Joplin Ave., presents artist Rachel Cabral with her realistic portrait paintings in her show “Windows of the Soul: Portraits Unveiled.” Artist’s reception during the July 3 ArtWalk from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Also, in the back room July 3 at the same time is the Four State Photography Enthusiasts’ photography on sale, and music on stage by Eric and Erica French.

Rhythm & Brews Community Support Services of Missouri’s signature fundraising event, Rhythm & Brews, was a HUGE success! Nearly 300 guests gathered at the Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex June 14 for live music by Big Smitty and Members Only, and a Cajunstyle dinner from the incredible The Bayou Bandit, all to support over 1,300 individuals with developmental disabilities served by CSS in our community.

and Kennedy Krokroskia

2. Courtney and Chandley Barnard

3. Shael and RJ Pollreis

4. Marge and Rob O’Brian and Chuck Brown

5. Shawn Daniel, Joe and Miranda Malin

6. Joe and Miranda Malin

7. Hayden Sloan Still, Linda Brown, Becca Brown, Paige Krumsick, Reid Brown and Chuck Brown

8. Charles and Misty Covvey, Nicole and Jason Mahnke

9. Meredith Snyder, Misty Covvey, and Drew and Michaela Roy

On the Left: Brent Westhoven and Randy Bell

1. Wendy Conrow, James Krokroskia, Colton Krokroskia

SP TLIGHT on Carthage

Golden Dreams and Gala Magic:

Carthage Chamber’s Golden Ticket Night Celebrates Community Champions

Step right through the gates of imagination, where chocolate rivers flow and golden dreams come true! On June 5, the Carthage Chamber of Commerce transformed an ordinary evening into an extraordinary celebration with its Golden Ticket Gala, a Willy Wonka-themed night of whimsy, wonder and well-deserved recognition.

Held in true candy-coated style, this gala was a night to remember. From golden tickets and chocolate bars to vibrant lollipops and top hats, guests stepped into a magical world inspired by everyone’s favorite candy man. The evening was filled with sweet treats, colorful décor, themed table displays and, of course, the shining stars of our business community—our honorees.

The Chamber proudly celebrated the achievements and contributions of several outstanding members:

• 2024 Maple Leaf Festival® Volunteers of the Year: Sid & Damon Teel

• ATHENA International Award: Suzanne Hall

• Small Business of the Year: Ott Food Products

• Medium Business of the Year: Fair Acres YMCA

• Nonprofit of the Year: Rotary Club of Carthage

• Best Decorated Themed Table: Butterball, LLC

• Excellence in Industry: H.E. Williams

• Carthage Citizen of the Year: The night’s highest honor went to Jerry Poston

A name familiar to many, Jerry Poston has been a steadfast advocate for Carthage for over three decades. A true servantleader, Jerry has served on numerous boards, committees and community projects, all while managing his successful State Farm agency since 1995. One of his most notable contributions was serving on the committee to bring the new McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital Trust Baseball Complex to life, a project close to his heart, given his own history in the sport. Jerry played collegiate baseball at the University of South Alabama and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977. His passion for this community,

paired with his leadership, makes him more than deserving of this honor. Congratulations, Jerry, and thank you for your service!

Chamber Buzz: Sidewalk Sales and Maple Leaf Excitement!

While the Golden Ticket Gala has come to a close, the fun is far from over! The Chamber is rolling into summer with even more excitement, including our upcoming Summer Sidewalk Sale, where local retailers will offer sizzling deals and a fun shopping experience for the whole family.

And—drumroll, please—we’re gearing up to celebrate the 59th Annual Maple Leaf Festival® this fall, “A City of Pure Imagination.” Vendor entry forms are already live and filling fast, so don’t wait to secure your spot. Parade applications and individual event participation forms open in July, with more fun and festivities than ever before.

In partnership with Erimish, we’re also launching exclusive Maple Leaf Festival® and Route 66 bracelet stacks and singles—stylish keepsakes perfect for commemorating this year’s celebration!

For event info, vendor applications or how you can get involved, visit us at www.carthagechamber.com, email info@carthagechamber.com or call 417.358.2373.

Carthage is a community built on tradition, connection and celebration. Thanks to all who make it possible, from businesses to volunteers to citizens who believe in the magic of working together.

See you at the next big event!

Ambassadors listed: Damon Teel, Traci Cox, Carthage Chamber President Julie Reams, Cheryl Church, Meagan Milliken, Jim Pettyjohn, Kalee Vice, Derek Maneval, Kyle Klinginsmith, Mike Brown, Caleb Stiles and Josh Meeker.

Southwest Missouri Bank was represented by Matthew Liberty, Nathan Richendollar, Rodney Hinds, Jeannette Clem, Elijah Vinson, Stacey Musche, Mark Johnson and Gage Thomas.

Some Country Radio Stations Are

“All Hat, No Cattle”...

1909 S. Rouse • Pittsburg, Kan.

TASTES TRACTORS BBQ

Rick

GRILL of the 4-STATES

&

Oeltjen thought he was retiring. After three decades of working in the railroad industry and years away from his hometown of Lamar, Missouri, he returned ready to slow down. But something about owning a restaurant kept catching his eye.

So instead of settling into retirement, he bought a restaurant.

“I looked at the numbers for months,” Rick said. “But it was really the staff that convinced me.”

Today, Rick runs the only full-service, locally owned spot in town open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. He’s not here to flip the place upside down. The building, once a convenience store, still has its familiar setup. The team stayed on, and the menu still covers all the bases with appetizers, burgers, barbecue, breakfast favorites and more.

However, a few things have changed. Rick and manager Shelly Crockett have added a charbroiler to the kitchen. They have also introduced new specials and made upgrades behind the scenes, including updates to the restaurant’s technology.

We started our visit the way all good meals begin, with appetizers. The spinach artichoke dip was creamy and had just the right tang, served with tortilla chips. The Diesel Fries were loaded with melted cheese, jalapeños, onions and smoked sausage. If you are a fan of homemade fries, don’t miss out on getting a side of them the next time you visit.

Next up was the half slab of baby back ribs, served with mashed potatoes and green beans. Rick describes their barbecue as somewhere between Kansas City and Texas.

Then came the French dip, which Rick and Shelly both said is one of their personal favorites. The roast beef was moist and flavorful, paired with warm, savory au jus.

Rick’s go-to order is the weekend steak specials. On the day we visited, the special was a chicken wrap and a spaghetti meal. Neither item is listed on the regular menu, and both were excellent.

We wrapped things up with a slice of pie. Tractors pie aficionado makes them in-house, which Shelly says is one of the customer's favorite new additions. That day, there were 11 kinds of pie to choose from, including chocolate meringue and peanut butter and jelly. We went with the blueberry peach cream. It was sweet and creamy, and a slice big enough to share.

Tractors also offers catering, whether you want to pick it up or have it brought to you.

Online ordering and delivery are on Rick’s radar for the future, part of his plan to keep things running smoothly while staying true to what regulars love.

Find out more at eattractors.com

By Kristi Spencer

SHOW ME Dining Guide

Casa Montez

The team at Casa Montez is serving up all of your favorite recipes 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. Call ahead for your to-go order and conveniently pick up at the walk-up window. $-$$

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Voted Four States Finest BBQ in 2023 and 2024, Smokey Racks BBQ is

go-to for the best in smoked meats, including pulled pork, brisket, chicken and ribs. We also offer loaded spuds, sandwiches and nachos, along with mouth-watering daily specials. Let us cater your next event and make it unforgettable. Come taste the best at Smokey Racks BBQ! $$$

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Club 609

Club 609 has been serving Joplin and the surrounding area since September 1990 with the widest variety menu in the area. We offer dinner entrees including steaks, chicken, salmon, tuna, pastas and so much more. Plus, we now offer weekly Butchers Choice and Fresh Catch specials and the appetizer of the week. There’s always something new and exciting on the menu! As always, we’re open for lunch with salads, burgers, sandwiches and over three dozen appetizers featuring 609’s unique pizzas, dips, nachos and countless more. Owned/operated by Linda Williams. $-$$$

Hours: Kitchen open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. • Call 417.623.6090 for reservations

Mis Arcos

1926 S. Garrison Ave. • Carthage, MO 417.237.0547

For the delicious authentic Mexican food you crave, there’s no place like Mis Arcos. 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 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sat/Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Barco Drive In: Movies under the stars!

Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Double Feature: Adults $10, kids 12 and under $5. Plaza Theatre is open every evening. Just call for show times. Evening shows $10; Saturday and Sunday matinees $8. First run movies at both theatres. Visit our website at www.lamarmovies.com.

As

Katie’s House Pregnancy & Family Resource Center

115 W. 12th St., Ste. B • Lamar, MO

1308 S. Hwy 32 • El Dorado Springs, MO

417.279.2604 • partner.katieshouseprc.com

Katie’s House Pregnancy & Family Resource Center has been honored with the "Most Engaged Community Award." The center offers a comprehensive array of services, including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, pregnancy health and birthing classes, as well as peerto-peer counseling on parenting, domestic violence and abuse education. Additionally, the facility features an elegant boutique store where clients can obtain baby supplies. All services are provided free of charge and remain confidential. Locations in Lamar and El Dorado Springs, Missouri. Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wildflower Soul Boutique

123 W. 11th St. • Lamar, MO

Like us on Facebook!

We have something for everyone!

Wildflower Soul Boutique in Lamar, Missouri, offers a warm, local boutique experience. Browse trendy and comfy women’s clothing at great prices, unique gifts, a kids’ section, handmade items by local vendors, and don’t miss the used furniture room in the back. We also offer tasty and healthy grab-and-go lunch options, making shopping convenient and fun whether you're local to Lamar or making a day trip! Visit us on the historic town square in Lamar or shop online. We can’t wait to see you!

Open Tuesday-Friday 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-noon.

Celebrating 100 Years of Community Banking

Lamar Bank & Trust is proud to mark a century of locally owned, community-focused banking. For 100 years, we’ve served Barton County with local decisions and full-service banking. As we grow, including our new Lockwood branch opening in late 2025, we remain committed to our communities. A Better Way to Bank!

Karla Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker experienced with children, teens and adults facing various mental health challenges. She helps clients manage stress, regulate emotions and build healthier relationships to live a mindful and authentic life. She offers a safe space filled with support, honesty and sometimes even humor to help you “move forward” through life! • In Person and Telehealth Available

L�king f� the p�fect �y trip?

Visit Barton County!

Just 40 minutes north of Joplin on I-49. Barton County offers an unforgettable mix of scenic views, charming local shops and eateries, and warm small-town hospitality. Discover our rich heritage and explore attractions that highlight the area’s unique blend of history, charm, and natural beauty. Come experience all that Barton County has to offer!

For the Nature Lover: Explore Prairie State Park

Nature enthusiasts won’t want to miss Prairie State Park—the largest remaining tallgrass prairie in Missouri, spanning nearly 4,000 acres. Step into a timeless landscape where you can hike scenic trails, observe native wildlife, and immerse yourself in the beauty of wildf lowers and sweeping grasslands.

Whether you’re up for a short stroll or an overnight adventure, the park offers options for every explorer. Reserve a spot at the backpacking camp and sleep under the vast prairie sky for a truly unforgettable experience. It’s a perfect destination for photography, nature study, or simply reconnecting with the natural world.

For the History Buff: Step Back in Time in Barton County

History lovers will nd plenty to explore in Barton County. Established in 1855, with Lamar—its county seat—incorporated just two years later in 1857, the area quickly began to grow. By 1860, the population had reached 1,817. However, the turmoil of the Border War with Kansas and the Civil War dramatically changed the landscape, leaving only a few resilient families in the county by 1864.

After the war, former residents returned and began the challenging work of rebuilding. The late 1860s marked a period of growth and renewal—new buildings rose, and the population flourished. It was during this time, in 1869, that a young Wyatt Earp and his family moved to Lamar, where he began his legendary law career.

Visit Wyatt Earp Park – A Tribute to a Legendary Lawman

Located on the northeast corner of the Lamar Downtown Square, Wyatt Earp Park honors one of America’s most iconic lawmen. Erected in tribute to Earp’s service as Lamar’s rst constable, the park marks the beginning of a storied career that would leave a lasting mark on the pages of American history.

More than just a monument, the park is a charming and scenic space that invites visitors to reflect on local heritage while enjoying a peaceful setting. It also serves as a hub for community gatherings, making it a mustvisit destination for anyone exploring Lamar’s rich past.

No visit to Barton County would be complete without a stop at the Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site. This charming home is where the 33rd President of the United States was born in 1884. Nestled in the heart of Lamar, the modest house offers a glimpse into the early life of one of America’s most influential leaders.

Check us out for event dates, details on local eateries, unique retail shops, and many more ways to experience the heart of Barton County. visitbartoncounty.com

Visitors to Harry S. Truman’s home can explore period furnishings and learn about Truman’s humble beginnings. It’s a meaningful stop for history enthusiasts and a proud piece of Barton County’s presidential heritage.

Continuing Our Legendary Journey: Barton County Memorial Park

A visit to Barton County Memorial Park is a powerful tribute to local heroes. Built in honor of the 69 brave men from Barton County who gave their lives during World War II, the park is a place of remembrance, reflection, and pride.

One of the park’s most striking features is a massive Danforth-style anchor, measuring 94 inches and weighing 3,000 pounds. On loan from the Naval History and Heritage Command, this impressive symbol sits far from any ocean, yet its message resonates deeply. It represents the unwavering commitment of four remarkable individuals from Lamar, Missouri, whose leadership helped shape the outcome of World War II.

Barton County Three Admirals

Admiral Charles A. Lockwood and Admiral James Fife Daubin rose to command all three submarine fleets of the U.S. Navy. Admiral John F. Combs became the commander of the aircraft carrier Yorktown as well as the 2nd and 6th Naval Fleets. One man, from this same small town man would go on to become their Commander-in-Chief—President Harry S Truman. Together, these four men exemplify the extraordinary impact a small community can have on a global stage. The memorial park not only honors their legacy but also provides a peaceful setting

Experience a Slice of Americana: Barco Drive-In

Don’t forget Barton County’s unique connection to the golden age of Americana— the Barco Drive-In, Missouri’s longest continuously operating drive-in theater. Opened over 75 years ago in the post–World War II boom, Barco has been a beloved weekend destination for generations.

This nostalgic gem captures the spirit of classic American leisure, offering the magic of watching movies under the stars. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or discovering the charm of drive-in culture for the rst time, Barco Drive-In delivers an unforgettable experience that blends entertainment with history. Visitors travel for hours to enjoy this timeless tradition, drawn by the vintage vibe and familyfriendly atmosphere.

Take a Journey Back in Time with Our Amish Community

Step into a world where tradition meets craftsmanship. Discover the charm of simple living and explore a wide selection of homemade, handcrafted, and one-of-a-kind items created by skilled Amish artisans. Every piece reflects a deep commitment to quality, care, and time-honored techniques passed down through generations.

Whether you’re searching for functional farm goods or thoughtful handmade gifts, you’ll nd something truly special. From everyday essentials to seasonal favorites, the offerings are as practical as they are unique. Just a glimpse of what you’ll nd: fresh-baked goods, homegrown beef, pork, and chicken, as well as farm-fresh eggs straight from the source. You’ll also discover a variety of plants, greenhouse supplies, and canning essentials perfect for your garden and pantry.

Looking for something more personal? Explore custom leather work, handcrafted kitchenware, and beautiful fall favorites like pumpkins and mums. With so much to see, taste, and take home, there’s always something new waiting to be discovered.

Come experience the quality, tradition, and heart of Amish craftsmanship—it’s more than a visit, it’s a journey back to simpler times.

Lamar City Lake

Lamar City Lake is a scenic 250-acre reservoir located just outside the heart of Lamar. Originally constructed to serve as the city’s primary water source, the lake has long been a local favorite for recreational shing. With the city now transitioning to a new well system, plans are underway to enhance and expand the lake’s role as a recreational destination.

The lake is already equipped with a range of amenities that make it ideal for outdoor enjoyment. Visitors can take advantage of multiple picnic tables, covered picnic area perfect for family gatherings or group events, and three shing docks that provide easy access to the water. A covered boat dock is also available, offering convenient shelter for boats and gear.

As the lake’s role shifts from utility to recreation, the city is exploring additional developments that could transform Lamar City Lake into a vibrant hub for outdoor activity while preserving its natural beauty.

Whether you’re casting a line, enjoying a peaceful picnic, or just soaking in the serene atmosphere, Lamar City Lake offers a refreshing escape close to home. Fishing and Boating Fees can be obtained at the Lamar City Hall.

Lamar City Park: A Century of Community and Recreation

Beautifully landscaped and thoughtfully designed, Lamar City Park stands as a proud centerpiece of the community. For over 100 years, this historic park has been a gathering place for friends, families, and neighbors to relax, play, and connect.

Nestled within the park grounds is a fully equipped RV park, making it a perfect destination for travelers. Sports enthusiasts will enjoy eight baseball/softball elds, each supported by four concession stands and restroom facilities to keep the games going comfortably.

The park also features a wide range of amenities for all ages, including: An enclosed shelter with attached restrooms, ideal for events and reunions, a peaceful sh pond for relaxing by the water, six covered pavilions perfect for picnics and celebrations, a scenic one-mile walking and biking trail, a fun-lled children’s playground and two smaller play areas, two lighted basketball courts and a lighted tennis court with pickleball lines. A charming wooden covered bridge and an authentic Santa Fe caboose, adding character and charm. Whether you’re looking for active recreation or a peaceful place to unwind, Lamar City Park offers something for everyone. Come explore this historic gem and enjoy a day surrounded by nature, history, and community spirit.

Jack’s Tractors: A Barton County Treasure

Jack’s Tractors is a must-see destination in Barton County, showcasing an extensive lifetime collection of John Deere farm implements. Highlights include a historic Waterloo Boy tractor, a wide array of antique tractors, vintage toys, and rare John Deere memorabilia.

This remarkable collection is more than just machinery — it’s a tribute to agricultural heritage. Decades of photographs and cherished collectibles make Jack’s Tractors a priceless part of our community’s history and pride.

Barton County, Missouri • visitbartoncounty.com

County’s Oldest One-Room Schoolhouse

Liberal, Missouri, a quaint town established in 1880 by George Walser, has remained a signicant part of Barton County’s agricultural heritage. With deep historical roots and a rich sense of community, it’s a place where the past is honored through its iconic landmarks. One such landmark is the Shiloh School, the county’s oldest one-room schoolhouse, built in 1869. Originally located 6.5 miles northwest of town, Shiloh School educated local children until 1952. Beyond its educational role, it also served as a stagecoach stop between Lamar and Fort Scott, Kansas. In an effort to preserve this important piece of history, the school was relocated near Liberal High School, allowing newer generations to appreciate the town’s heritage.

Another key historical feature of Liberal is the Frisco Depot, built in 1881. Like many historical structures in the town, the depot has moved several times. Originally built as a crucial transportation center, the Frisco Depot now stands on South Main Street, adjacent to City Hall. Together with the Shiloh School, it serves as a lasting symbol of Liberal’s rich history and the strength of small-town America.

Exploring Golden City: A Journey Through Missouri’s Rich History

Golden City, Missouri, has a deep and rich history that stretches back to its early days as a trading post in the 19th century. As it evolved, the town flourished, particularly during the 1880s when rapid industrialization and the arrival of the rst regional railway spurred its growth. Golden City reached its peak population in the 20th century and though its population has varied over the years, the city has consistently worked to maintain and build upon its historical roots.

Today, Golden City is a vibrant community where the past is celebrated through various historic landmarks. Among the highlights is the City Museum, located at City Hall. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Golden City’s evolution, from its humble beginnings to the major events that shaped its identity. With exhibits dedicated to the city’s founding and growth, the museum provides visitors with an immersive understanding of Golden City’s enduring legacy, making it an essential stop for anyone wanting to discover the history behind this charming Missouri town.

No visit to Golden City would be complete without stopping by Cooky’s Cafe, the oldest restaurant in Barton County. Serving the community since 1942, Cooky’s has been a beloved local staple for over 83 years. Known for its oldfashioned, home-style favorites and delicious pies, the café has stood the test of time, continuing to serve up comforting meals with a side of history. Whether you’re a long-time local or a rst-time visitor, Cooky’s Cafe offers an authentic taste of Golden City’s charm and culinary heritage.

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Spring to Fall Events

Picnic in the Park Every 4th Thursday, March through October, enjoy a relaxing evening in the Lamar City Park with unique and tasty food trucks offering something for everyone.

1st Friday on the Downtown Lamar Square

A monthly tradition that brings the community together around a shared love for classic cars and vintage rides. Held on the rst Friday of each month April through October, this event on the Lamar Downtown Square is full car enthusiasts, families, and visitors from all around.

Stroll through rows of restored classics and custom builds, enjoy great conversation with fellow car lovers, and explore local businesses that stay open late just for this special evening.

Truman Day Celebration - (May)

Each year, the Truman Day Celebration brings the community together to honor the legacy of President Harry S. Truman, one of America’s most iconic leaders. Held at the Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site, this beloved event is rich in small-town charm and patriotic spirit. Visitors can enjoy a full day of festivities, including local craft and food vendors, live music and entertainment, a patriotic baby and dog show, and engaging historical demonstrations and exhibits. It’s a festive and meaningful way to celebrate Truman’s life and leadership while enjoying fun, family-friendly activities in the heart of his hometown.

Stompin’ Ground Events – High-Octane Fun Starts in June!

Get ready for an adrenaline-charged summer as Stompin’ Ground Events roar into Barton County! This high-octane series is packed with action and fan-favorite spectacles, including bull riding, monster trucks, truck and tractor pulls, and the always-explosive Missouri Madness Demolition Derby.

Feel the ground shake with roaring engines, flying dirt, and edge-of-your-seat excitement that the whole family will love. Whether you’re a die-hard motorsports fan or just looking for an unforgettable night out, Stompin’ Ground Events deliver thrills you won’t want to miss.

If it’s loud, fast, and full of fun, it’s happening here. Make your summer in Barton County one to remember—check out Stompin’ Ground Events!

Golden Harvest Days - Golden City, MO - (July)

Golden Harvest Days is a beloved, week-long celebration, honoring a century-old tradition of community, fun, and family. This vibrant festival features something for everyone, including carnival games, bounce houses, the exciting Great American Bed Race, a classic tractor pull and show, and live music. Visitors can enjoy the charm of a quilt show, cheer on little ones in the baby show, and participate in kids’ games and friendly competitions like horseshoe and cornhole tournaments. With a wide variety of food vendors, craft booths, and more, Golden Harvest Days captures the heart of small-town spirit and summertime joy.

Lamar Fair - (August)

The Lamar Fair is a cherished end-of-summer celebration that brings together the heart and spirit of the entire area for a vibrant mix of fun, tradition, and family-friendly entertainment.

Experience the excitement of midway carnival rides and games, browse a variety of unique vendors, and indulge in mouthwatering carnival food served up by local civic groups. Discover the talents of local youth at the livestock shows and art exhibits, and put your own skills to the test in classic blue ribbon competitions.

Don’t miss the beloved Rotary Parade, complete with colorful floats, energetic marching bands, and community spirit on full display.

To top it all off, don’t miss the nal night concert at Wyatt Earp Park, brought to you by the Lamar Fair & Expo and the Barton County Chamber of Commerce. Bring your lawn chairs, gather your loved ones, and enjoy a night of live music under the stars—a perfect nale to a week of unforgettable memories.

Liberal Prairie Days - Liberal, MO - (September)

Celebrate community spirit with Delicious food & local entertainment, A colorful parade, arts & crafts, Baby, pet, car, tractor, art, agriculture, and vegetable shows,

Experience the Spirit of the Wild West at Wyatt Earp Fallfest

Celebrate the legacy of one of America’s most legendary lawmen at Wyatt Earp Fallfest, held every October at Wyatt Earp Park, located on the northeast corner of the Lamar Downtown Square. This vibrant fall festival honors Wyatt Earp, Lamar’s rst constable, with a full day of familyfriendly fun and Old West flair.

Enjoy a stroll through craft vendors offering unique, handmade goods, and savor a variety of fall-themed foods that capture the flavors of the season. The event features a dog show, baby and toddler show, and live music. With activities for all ages, it’s the perfect way to spend an autumn day immersed in history and community spirit.

Home for the Holidays – (November)

Just before Thanksgiving, join us at the Lamar Downtown Square to flip the switch and of cially kick off the holiday season! Enjoy the annual Christmas lighting ceremony and a magical Lighted Christmas Parade that lights up the night with festive cheer.

Of course, Santa Claus will be making a special appearance at the beautifully decorated Wyatt Earp Park, spreading holiday joy for all ages. After the festivities, explore the charming local businesses around the square—perfect for starting your holiday shopping with unique gifts and small-town hospitality. Get ready to be wrapped in the warmth and spirit of the season at Home for the Holidays!

Chinese Tea Offers

Meaningful Connection to People Former Golden City man and his wife introduce their tea to the world

By Allison Riechman-Bennett

Purcraftea is not just another tea company. It is the product of a crosscountry and cultural journey, a deep respect for traditional farming practices and a belief that tea is more than just a drink; it’s an experience.

David Manke grew up in Golden City, Missouri, but left the Barton County town in 2006 after high school graduation.

“I lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and studied transportation and logistics,” he said. “Afterward, I was hired as a logistics process developer and engineer at Volvo Group Trucks but found I was sitting behind a desk without any meaningful connection to people most days. I then moved to Thailand for 3 years to teach English.”

David then had the opportunity to teach English in Guangzhou, China, and he met his future wife, Sherry, there. “We met online and started having adventures hiking and exploring villages and cities. I was teaching and she was designing architecture. We fell in love and decided to live and travel together as teachers around the world when the Chinese economy experienced a real estate bubble.”

When that happened, the couple moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, to teach. “We ended up getting married while we were teachers

there,” he said. They then moved to La Paz, Mexico. Sherry got her first taste of living in the Americas, but she missed a lot of the conveniences of living in China. They returned to China and decided to go into business selling tea as an e-commerce site.

“I was mesmerized by the tea shops and the smell of 300-plus-year-old tea trees in the Jingmai Mountains,” David said. “In October 2023, we began the planning process for Purcraftea and in September 2024, we developed our business plan and began searching for truly captivating tea products.

In February of this year, we launched our online sales.”

For Sherry, tea was always a part of daily life. “Everyone in my family drank tea,” Sherry reflected. “It was the most common beverage in the house, drunk by my father, grandfather and myself.”

“Our tea is a little bit different. It’s not just a drink. It's a spiritual product.”

David Manke

The difference, however, was the quality of the tea. While tea was an everyday drink, it wasn’t until David and Sherry dug deeper into tea culture that Sherry realized how good tea could be. She noticed many people, especially outside China, were unfamiliar with how to brew and appreciate traditional teas. Her goal became to share the value of quality tea, not just in taste but in the experience and mindfulness it offers.

Their journey into the world of tea started with the foundation of the six types of traditional Chinese tea: green, white, yellow, black, pu-erh and oolong, which is David’s favorite and is known for its complex flavors. These traditional teas come in varieties such as loose tea and compressed disks.

After discovering how good tea could be, David and Sherry began their search for tea suppliers, which involved visiting 40-50 different tea farms in China, ending with one that took their breath away.

“Upon walking up to that final farm, the smell alone captivated us,” David said. “We approached the farmer's house, and by fate, the farmer had just finished work on the farm and gladly greeted us. When we tasted his tea, it was clear we’d found our supplier and the perfect tea that would soon lead to Purcraftea.”

The name Purcraftea is a fusion of their philosophy: pure, crafted tea. Their mission was clear from the start: To find and share tea in its most natural, unaltered form. This led them to source tea from 300-plus-year-old tea trees, grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides. David and Sherry’s dedication to a clean tea extends all the way back to their dedication to finding the right supplier.

These ancient trees are cultivated by family-owned farms that rely on generational knowledge and artisanal techniques. The tea is slow-cooked and processed without the use of enzyme-bleaching, a common industry shortcut. The result is a product that retains its natural taste and fragrance.

The meditation in which the tea is made easily translates, as both David and Sherry detailed, to a more mindful tea practice.

"Our tea is a little bit different," David said. "It’s not just a drink. It’s a spiritual product."

Their website at purcraftea.com features a thoughtfully curated selection of items designed to help you begin or deepen your own tea practice. In addition to a wide range of pu-erh teas—from young sheng to aged shou— the site also offers elegant and functional tea sets that suit beginners and seasoned tea drinkers. Each item is chosen with intention, making it easy to create a meaningful, personal tea ritual in your own space.

One popular option is the Casual Tea Set, which includes a teapot, a master cup and two smaller tasting cups. This set is perfect for those who want

to explore traditional brewing methods without the need for a complex setup. The inclusion of smaller cups encourages a slower, more mindful experience by allowing you to savor each steeping individually. As the tea leaves gradually open and evolve through multiple brews, you’ll taste the subtle changes in flavor and aroma with each pour.

Purcraftea also hosts an assortment of informative videos, covering everything from their origin to the different ways customers can brew their purchased teas. David and Sherry’s intentional, grassroots marketing includes videos, such as tutorials on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

Of special note is a video about tea pets. The tiny ceramic animals, both a buffalo and elephant currently available in the shop, can enjoy your cup of tea with you. As directed in the video, pour your brew over your ceramic animal. While the animal may not be able to taste the brew, especially curated by Purcraftea, it’ll be

happy to sip some with you. These pets are a part of traditional Chinese tea culture and can bring good luck and companionship during your own tea rituals.

The most rewarding part of this venture for David and Sherry? Well, that’s yet to come. Because of current tariffs on products such as tea, and tea specifically out of China, Purcraftea is unable to ship to the United States at the moment.

David and Sherry said their favorite part of owning this business and what they look forward to for the future of Purcraftea is watching people try tea in person.

Above all else, David and Sherry are excited to bring Purcraftea to the United States, offering nationwide shipping and in-person stalls at local farmers’ markets across Southwest Missouri. After years of sourcing high-quality, ethically grown teas from China and building strong relationships with small-scale farmers, they are eager to share their passion with local communities. Markets in towns like Joplin, Lamar and Carthage can expect to see Purcraftea stalls as soon as tariffs on Chinese imports are lifted. In the meantime, they are preparing their product line, creating tasting menus and developing educational materials to help customers better understand the origins and preparation of each tea.

David and Sherry’s goal is to offer more than just a transaction; they hope to create a welcoming space where people can explore tea culture, ask questions and discover new favorites. Whether online or in-person, Purcraftea is ready to connect with American tea lovers one cup at a time.

JANA’S PASTA SALAD

By Kristi Spencer

There’s always that one dish that gets requested again and again, and for our summer barbecues, this is it. This pasta salad originally came from the wife of my former boss, who happened to be both a wonderful cook and person. She passed it along to me, and now, with her permission, I get to share it with you. It’s one of those recipes that only gets better with time. Let it chill in the fridge for a few hours, or even better, overnight.

DRESSING

+ 1½ cups sugar

+ 1½ cups white vinegar

+ 1 teaspoon salt

+ 1 tablespoon Accent seasoning

+ 1 tablespoon dry mustard

+ 1 tablespoon garlic powder

+ 1½ teaspoons ground black pepper

+ 2 tablespoons dried parsley

+ ¾ cup canola oil

SALAD

+ 1 lb bow tie, rotini or any small-cut pasta you like

+ 1 cucumber, thinly sliced

+ 1 red onion, thinly sliced

+ 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced

+ 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

DIRECTIONS:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside to cool slightly.

2. In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, onion, green pepper and cherry tomatoes.

3. In a separate bowl or jar, mix all the dressing ingredients until well blended.

4. Pour about half the dressing over the veggies and toss to coat.

5. Add the cooled pasta and toss again. Add more dressing if needed but save some to stir in just before serving.

6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Stir before serving and adjust seasoning and dressing if needed.

heartland horseshoeing school

TRAINS FARRIERS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Cowboy, rancher, teacher, author or pilot. Chris Gregory, co-owner of Heartland Horseshoeing School in Lamar, Missouri, could go by many different titles. Farrier is probably the title he is most well-known for.

By Heather Reynolds

“When you’re a farrier, it's in your blood; it just draws you in,” says Chris. Chris, along with his wife Kelly, have been in the horseshoeing business for nearly 40 years, and this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Heartland Horseshoeing School. Chris, who found his love for horseshoeing shortly after graduating college, soon turned his passion into a family business; he and Kelly, along with their children, are all now a part of the horseshoeing school.

Chris’ love for horseshoeing began with his love for horses. Chris attended a two-week horseshoeing school and felt like he didn’t learn enough, and then he chased farrier clinics all over the country and spent the next five years adding to his knowledge of the trade. His passion for it soon led to him and Kelly both becoming farriers.

“I married a woman who was willing to do with her husband what the husband’s going to do,” says Chris.

for multiple farrier exams happening in several countries. Chris speaks Spanish and has been able to give exams in both English and Spanish.

Heartland is a school where people from all over the world learn to become farriers in a matter of weeks rather than a matter of years. They have both a 24-week program and two 12-week programs. The 24-week class and the first 12-week class starts in March and goes until June, and the second 12-week class starts in July. They shut the school down in September, and their daughter then turns the bunkhouse into an Airbnb.

Being a farrier is not an easy trade, and in order to succeed in the horseshoeing school, a student must work long hours in the heat near a fire and then shoe horses on top of that. It takes time, skill and dedication to become a farrier.

“I’ve made a career of setting unrealistic expectations and then fully expecting people to achieve them,” says Chris. Although it’s a hard trade to learn, the people who truly want it can do it well.

Chris and Kelly met at a community college in Iowa and eventually started shoeing horses in Colorado, then moved to Missouri where they started the school. Heartland--the school and the farm--now rests on the outskirts of Lamar just off the highway.

It’s a Lifestyle

So, what made the Gregorys choose to start this business and continue to keep it running for the past 30 years? Their answer: the lifestyle. Since they run the school, they only keep it open for about half the year.

“It has been a great life for us to raise a family,” Kelly says. “We have opportunities that other people don’t. We get to see new people every day.”

“We turn away about 50% of students,” says Chris. “The school operates on a first come, first served basis, which means we are not open the other 25 weeks a year, so we work on the farm, write, take care of grandkids and teach farrier clinics around the world.”

Think of a clinic as a bootcamp or a workshop. A group of farriers, a farrier supply or company will hire them to go to a place for about three days and give lectures, shoe horses, make shoes and teach shoeing.

“Nobody would think horseshoeing would take you all over the world,” says Kelly. They’ve been to places like Poland, South Africa and Australia. Chris was an examiner for what is known as the FITS exam, or Farriers International Testing System. He was also asked to write different certifications

“If you bring willingness, desire and dedication, we will provide top-notch, proven education that will propel you to the top of this industry,” says Chris.

Technology Comes to Heartland

Before Heartland had the website, YouTube or any online presence, most of their students came through word of mouth.

“I thought the internet was going to go away. I thought my job was internet proof. I didn't think I would ever need a Facebook or a website, or email or YouTube,” says Chris.

In 2010, Chris and Kelly started their YouTube channel while Chris was working on his textbook. One of their former students, Brian Mullins, even convinced Chris to start a podcast, which he called Final Approach with Chris Gregory. You can read more about Chris and the Heartland Horseshoeing School on their website, as well as listen to their podcast or watch them on YouTube.

Family Ties

This is a family business. Their son, Cody, and his wife are farriers, and they also teach at the school. Chris and Kelly’s daughter and her husband have a farm-to-table business and they shoe horses on the side. They also have a few Airbnbs and help with the school from time to time.

Chris and Kelly acknowledge they are probably hard to work for and they’ve stayed small enough they don’t need to hire employees.

“We demand a lot. We also didn’t want to get big enough that we had to have employees,” says Kelly. They are happy with the lifestyle they have chosen and are expecting Cody to take a larger role in the business when they eventually decide to take a step back.

Cody has been around horseshoeing his entire life and trimmed his first horse at only 4 years old, and then shoed his first horse at 8.

“They (Chris and Kelly) would be shoeing until midnight or one in the morning and we were right there with them,” Cody says about his childhood.

“The kids would straighten nails and clean shoes,” says Chris. In addition to taking over the school duties one day, Cody also owns a business, Cody Gregory LLC, where he makes his own tools for the farrier trade.

“He’s better than I ever was,” says Chris when talking about Cody’s skills as a farrier. Chris obtained his journeyman certification, which is the highest certification a farrier can achieve, at the age of 22 and was the youngest journeyman in the country at the time. Cody received his own journeyman certification at only 15 years old and was the youngest until another young man beat him by only one month.

“If you’re made to be a farrier, it will grab you,” says Chris. “You’re never going to be good enough, there is always a challenge. My mind is still learning but your body starts to not be able to do what it was able to before.”

In addition to his other jobs, Chris has also written a textbook called “Gregory’s Textbook of Farriery,” which also has a Spanish translation and an audiobook that was read by former student Brian Mullins. Chris has plans to write novels but has yet to release anything to the public.

For more information on Heartland Horseshoeing School, go to www.heartlandhorseshoeing.com.

You Don’t Have to Look Far.

Primary, pediatric, and walk-in care at our Lamar and Golden City clinics. Specialty care, a 24-hour emergency department, physical therapy, a pharmacy with curbside delivery, and more at Cox Barton County Hospital.

It’s the care you need, and it’s all right here.

coxhealth.com CoxHealthNow Portal & App

By Kristi Spencer

Lamar Earns Community of the Year Award for Fourth Time in Six Decades

When it comes to community spirit, Lamar, Missouri, doesn’t just talk the talk. They show up, pitch in and continue building on a 60-year legacy of making life better for their neighbors.

This year, Lamar was honored once again with the Missouri Community Betterment’s grand prize, the Gene Speichinger Award for Community of the Year. It’s a title the town has earned four times over the last six decades.

Lamar’s participation in Missouri Community Betterment (MCB) stretches back to 1965, when the Lamar Community Betterment Council was formed with a mission statement that read “To help make Lamar a better place to live, work and raise families.” The group brings together volunteers from local businesses, government, civic clubs, healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism and the Lamar Democrat newspaper. Their

structure allows them to serve as an umbrella for organizing community initiatives and partnerships.

This year’s award recognized a series of impactful projects that reflect Lamar’s ongoing commitment to growth and collaboration.

One of the 2025 submissions was the development of the Lamar Community Center, a building gifted to Lamar Community Betterment for communitywide use. Future plans include YMCA programming and multi-generational activities that will benefit residents across age groups.

Another key project was the Lamar City Hall Relocation, where City Hall moved into a formerly empty space on the historic Lamar square. The remodeled facility now offers more room, better working conditions for staff and improved accessibility for residents.

The community also celebrated a big win with the Wyatt Earp Park, which earned top recognition in the Best Planning Process category. The park was developed as a tourism attraction to share the story of a young Wyatt Earp and was completed in October 2023. It now serves as a venue

1. Wyatt Earp Park.

2. Memorial Park: Building flower beds and planting red, white and blue blooms.

3. Missouri Community Betterment Delegation to the Fall Conference in Jefferson City, Missouri.

4. Memorial Park Tree Planting.

for school functions, family outings and community events. The Barton County Chamber Foundation led the project with the goal of “promoting progress in Barton County through business and community development.”

Lamar’s history was also preserved and revitalized through the Barco DriveIn Outdoor Movie Screen project. The Barco Drive-In originally opened in 1950, but it needed a new screen after decades of use and weathering. Community members raised an impressive $166,000 through donations to save the beloved drive-in. The project received the Most Creative Funding Effort award, and the updated drive-in reopened May 3, welcoming moviegoers from Lamar and neighboring towns.

The Barton County Community Foundation, another 2024 submission and category winner, has also played a vital role in Lamar’s success, donating over a million dollars to local nonprofit organizations and projects over the past 10 years.

When news broke that Lamar had once again claimed the traveling trophy, Kim O’Sullivan, director of the Barton

County Chamber of Commerce, says, “Our community knows our value, but it was certainly nice to have others recognize us with this acknowledgement.”

According to Kim, MCB stands out from other programs because it brings people together. “Community Betterment is an organization made up of many local non-profits working together for the betterment of the community. Although each has its own mission and goals, they set them aside to get behind the projects each year to assure their success. A very supportive and positive group working for the greater good.”

The success of these projects was made possible through partnerships between local businesses, schools, churches and civic groups. Kim adds, “There are so many, but I feel the Lamar Community Betterment has the best representation of cooperation by many organizations having a seat at the same table.”

Youth leadership is another pillar of Lamar’s success. Elaine Davis, youth program associate for the MU extension in Barton County, works closely with students in Barton County’s 4-H program and shared the two projects that stood out this year. The Memorial Park Landscaping Project, led by 4-H clubs, including Learn A Do, Shiloh and Teen Leaders, earned the Best Youth-Led Project award. Youth members applied for a grant through the Missouri Department of Agriculture and worked to plant trees, relocate existing ones and revamp flower beds using red, white and blue blooms.

Their second effort, Truman Healthcare Farm Day, was awarded the Most Heartfelt Project. 4-H members brought animals to the nursing care center and formed a large circle so residents could enjoy the animals up close.

“The residents loved seeing the animals and stepping back in time with memories from their past,” Elaine says. “The youth were proud to share their 4-H projects and provide a priceless moment for the residents.”

Students were present at the MCB Conference when the awards were announced. “The youth were overwhelmed when their names were announced. No one knows the recipients of awards until the moment of announcement at the conference,” Elaine shares.

Through 4-H member-led meetings, the groups nominated projects and made the decisions, giving them ownership of the project from start to finish. Elaine says, “My part is to ask what do you need help with, and then I can help them. Confidence grows with teamwork, making friends and doing one’s best to make a difference in the community.”

Elaine says what they learn goes beyond the project at hand. “Every year, it’s a new opportunity to make a difference in our community. The service projects are life skill projects. Working as youth-adult partnerships, they are preparing for the future.”

When asked what the award represents, Kim says, “Our members and the community are our ‘WHY,’ so when they win, we are proud and share in their accomplishments! The trophy is special, and few communities have had the privilege of hosting it throughout the years.”

She also believes this recognition will inspire others. “It shines a very bright light, and we hope it sets an example that they can accomplish big goals for their communities as well.”

For Lamar, the award is much more than a title. It’s a reminder that when you invest in people, teamwork and the place you call home, good things follow.

By Wendy Brunner

Round and Round

How One Man’s Ego Led to a Circular Cemetery in Liberal

In the small Barton County town of Liberal, Missouri, sits the Liberal City Cemetery. As one would expect, it’s a quiet place of reflection and respect. As one might not expect, however, all the burial plots are arranged in a circle around a flagpole rather than in a traditional square pattern. The reason for this isn’t an extreme case of national pride; instead, it was one man’s ego and need to be revered.

Liberal was founded by George Walser in 1880 as a utopia for free thinkers. Walser was raised in the Calvinistic Christian faith but abandoned that religion to become a Freethinker. He wanted to establish a town where other Freethinkers—or Liberalists—could live without churches or saloons to sway their beliefs.

People from all walks of life heard about this new community with its rich farmland and coal deposits, and they settled into the new town. Some of the new residents were Freethinkers and some just wanted a new beginning. In addition to laying out the new town, Walser also laid out the town cemetery.

Michael Blackford, a Lamar resident with grandparents who were born in 1920 and 1921 and grew up in Liberal, heard his grandparents talk for years about the circular cemetery in Liberal and the theories as to why the cemetery residents were buried in a circle.

“The cemetery in Liberal is circular in design, with a flagpole in the center of it,” Michael says. “Everyone’s feet point to the center of the cemetery where the flagpole is. According to what I have always

been told, Walser was supposed to be buried where the flagpole is so that on Judgement Day, everyone would rise up and watch Walser ascend into heaven. (No word on whether everyone else would get to ascend into heaven or if only Walser would ascend.)

“Now, since there is a flagpole in that center location now, I’m sure you’ve figured out he wasn’t buried there when he died in 1910. He eventually converted back to Christianity and his wife had him buried in a mausoleum in Lake Cemetery in Lamar.”

Pauletta and Diane with the Barton County Historical Society verified that Michael’s grandparents’ stories were correct about why the cemetery is laid out in a circular pattern. And to this day, burials are still done in the same circular pattern at the Liberal City Cemetery.

Photo by Joe Davis

Lamar Softball Star Peyton Eddie Loves the Game, Loves the Work

By Don Lowe | Photos by Amzel Ball

Lamar Sports Star Peyton Eddie Fast Facts

Age: 16

Height: 5’3”

Year in School: 11th grade in 2025-26

Parents: Nate and Ellen Eddie

Siblings: Avery Eddie and Wacey Eddie

Hometown: Lamar, Missouri

Favorite Subject in School: History

Favorite Food: Steak

Favorite Softball Players: Former Oklahoma

Lady Sooners four-time World Series

Champion Jayda Coleman and current Boston Red Sox star outfielder Jarren Duran.

Favorite Baseball Movie: “The Sandlot”

As a youngster, Lamar Lady Tigers

junior-to-be softball star Peyton Eddie figured out quickly how fun it is to have a glove and bat in her hands. She says, “Growing up, I’ve always enjoyed watching sports, especially with my dad.

“I remember watching softball at a young age and realizing I wanted to be like those players. I knew I loved the game after going to watch my favorite team (Nebraska) play Arkansas at Bogle Park (Fayetteville, Arkansas). A few months later, I went to a softball camp at the University of Nebraska.”

Peyton, who sparkles in center field, says, “I believe to fall in love with the game, you need to love the work you put into it even more.

“I’m competitive and don’t like to be outworked by anyone, even if it requires staying after practice to correct the tiniest flaw. I also love getting to spend time with great teammates and learning from great coaches.”

Lamar Softball Head Coach Brandon Castle says, “Peyton never takes a play off. She’s intense and locked in. She’s not only a vocal leader but leads by example. She led our team in batting average (.500), on base percentage (.571), hits (39), triples (five) and stolen bases (23).

“Peyton’s ability to track a ball in the outfield is incredible. Her speed allows her to cover not only center field but well

understanding on how to get behind a fly ball and use her momentum coming toward the play and then make a great throw to help keep the runner from advancing.”

“As a centerfielder, you need to be in great shape (physically) because you’re running every play,” says Peyton. “You’re running down fly balls and backing up your infielders or backing up the right and left fielders.

“The mental side is also challenging. You need to know what pitch is being thrown. And when the ball is pitched, you want to be in the best position defensively for what the hitter will do with it.

“I believe my communication and work ethic, and having a good attitude, are all things that help myself and my team be successful.

“I communicate well with my fellow outfielders, whether it’s pre-pitch positioning, talking over what we’re going to do with the ball when it is hit to us or just staying locked in and having fun.”

Coach Castle enjoys watching Peyton showcase her skills, and he says, “She has great speed and quick hands. Her speed allows her to beat out plays on the infield and turn singles into extra base hits. She’s a terror on the basepaths. Her quick hands get her through the pitch no matter how fast or slow the pitcher throws it.”

Peyton plays with dogged determination, and Coach Castle continues, “She doesn’t fold under pressure. Her ability to stay positive and not get down is an incredible attribute for a student-athlete in high school sports.”

Lamar Hoops Star Talon Timmons a ‘Student of the Game’

Lamar Sports Star Talon

Timmons Fast Facts

Age: 17

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 180 lbs.

Year in School: 12th grade in 2025-26

Parents: Terin and Autumn Timmons

Sibling: Samuel Timmons

Hometown: Lamar, Missouri

Favorite Subject in School: Math

Favorite Food: Tacos

Favorite Professional Basketball

Player: Current Phoenix Suns Power

Forward, Two-Time NBA Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Kevin Durant

Favorite Basketball Movie: “Semi-Pro”

By Don Lowe | Photo by Tara Parks

Beingcalm under pressure has allowed Lamar Tigers senior-to-be basketball

star Talon Timmons to make steady improvement throughout his career, and he says, “Staying level-headed is important. Staying calm and not forcing things with my teammates is a big focus and leads to success.”

Tigers Basketball Head Coach Heath Heckadon, who has coached Talon for three years, says, “He’s a student of the game. He is constantly trying to improve all levels of his game. Talon’s coachable and his work stand above the rest.”

Talon’s versatility has been a plus for Lamar, and Coach Heckadon says, “This past year, he mostly played the ‘four’ (power forward) but next year he will primarily play the ‘two’ (shooting guard) or ‘three’ (small forward).

“He just wants to win, so he’ll play whatever position I need him at and be successful for us there. Talon rebounds well, handles the ball and can score from any level. He just has such a solid understanding of the game and makes players around him better, just as a leader should do.”

“I think the best part of my game is scoring,” Talon says. “I can score at all three levels. My scoring ability took a big leap during COVID. I would shoot every day outside with my brother. I think that helped turn me into a more confident scorer and I’ve tried to keep improving every day since then.”

While Talon seems to always maintain his composure, he says, “I believe the main challenge is the pressure. I feel like I need to play my best every game or it’s a disappointment.

“There’s also difficulty playing forward. I tend to drive a lot. I also tend to draw double or triple teams when I drive to the basket and then there’s lots of hands slapping at the ball, which is a big challenge.

“I feel like my ability to pass is what helps make me successful,” he continues. “If I couldn’t find the open man, it would make getting my own shot harder. So, when opponents bring the double team against me, I find an open teammate and that helps stop the doubling on me in the paint.”

Coach Heckadon says, “Talon’s strength and power has improved since his freshman year. This has helped him in the post with rebounding and defending bigger players. Talon’s always had great offensive moves in the post but he also likes to face up and play off the dribble.”

No matter what happens on the court, Talon is happy to always have his loved ones right there cheering him on and says, “What makes basketball so rewarding is seeing all my family in the stands during games.

“My parents come to every single game, home and away. I always have an entire section of my family at home games. No matter what’s going on in their lives, they still make it to my games. Playing well in front of my family is just so rewarding.”

Coach Heckadon says, “I just appreciate Talon’s passion and absolute love for the game of basketball. He has such a big heart for playing basketball.”

Lamar Football Star Karson Parker Believes Heart, Dedication Keys to Success

Lamar Sports Karson Parker Fast Facts

Age: 18

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 195 lbs.

Year in School: 12th grade in 2025-26

Parents: Brandon and Kelsey Parker

Sibling: Sophia Parker

Hometown: Lamar, Missouri

Favorite Subject in School: Sciences

Favorite Food: Sushi

Favorite Professional Football Player: Current Kansas City Chiefs two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP/ Super Bowl Winning Quarterback Patrick Mahomes

Favorite Football Movie: “Water Boy”

By Don Lowe

LamarTigers senior-to-be running back/ middle linebacker Karson Parker doesn’t have a problem when something isn’t too easy, and he says, “My favorite thing about football is how hard it is to play.

“I’ve played several sports, and nothing compares to football when it comes to the difficulty it takes to be a good player and a good teammate. I love the challenge.”

When it comes to the most difficult aspects, Karson says, “The main challenges are learning the schemes every week against a different team, then studying it and getting it down in your brain by Friday nights.

“It also goes without saying that the physical part of football is not easy with the amount of practice and work it takes to make yourself a good player.”

Lamar Football Head Coach Jared Beshore has been impressed with Karson’s renewed commitment and says, “His work ethic and attention to detail has helped him make huge improvements over the past couple of years.

“These were not strengths initially for Karson when he first joined our football program. But now they are strong points in his overall game.”

Coach Beshore has been particularly pleased with Karson’s terrific play at middle linebacker, and he says, “Karson got a lot better at reading his keys in the second half of last season.

“His natural athletic ability allowed him to make a lot of plays in between the tackles and running sideline to sideline. His communication skills have also helped our defense with everyone being on the same page.” Karson says, “A lot of my ability is from building myself physically by spending time in the weight room. But one of the biggest strengths any

football player can have is heart and dedication, and that comes before the physical attributes.”

“Karson’s explosive,” Coach Beshore says. “He has great hips, and an initial burst of speed that’s hard to develop in high school linebackers. Those things are hard to teach/coach. When a player has them naturally, it allows coaches to teach more fundamentals and eye discipline. The result is typically a high-quality football player with potential to be exceptional.”

Karson knows it’s not about himself, and he says, “It’s a team sport, so it takes everyone, with your teammates having your back and you having their backs. That’s the biggest key to success.”

He has done his part to be successful, and Coach Beshore says, “Last season, Karson won the competition at middle linebacker and never let go of it. He had growing pains but by the playoffs he was one of our premier defenders. He had a great off-season. I look forward to seeing what he does this fall.”

Regardless of what happens in the fall, Karson is thrilled to be part of it all, and he says, “The relationships you build with your coaches and teammates is by far the most rewarding aspect of playing football.”

“I appreciate Karson for taking accountability for any mistakes, making changes to his habits and growing into such a great young man,” Coach Beshore says. “I’m excited to see all his hard work pay off this fall.”

Lamar Star Sprinter Brenna Morey Races into the Record Books

LamarLady Tigers senior-tobe sprinter Brenna Morey was destined to follow in her siblings’ footsteps, and she says, “My brother and his team were two-time state champions in cross country (2016-17), so running has always been part of who I am. My brother and sister were both cross country runners in high school.

By Don Lowe

“My sister did track throughout high school. My brother ran track and cross country at Southwest Baptist University. Distance running wasn’t my thing, but I found a passion for sprinting. My family told me I could do anything I set my mind to. They’re the reason I’ve continued running and working hard to get better.

“The 400-meter dash has been my best event. I broke my high school’s record (1:00.31) May 1. That’s a goal I’ve been striving to achieve for three years, and it finally became a reality.

“The past two seasons I was also a member of several relay teams. My sophomore year, I was on the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800 teams. And I was part of the 4x800 team that broke our school record. This allowed us to qualify for the 2024 Class 3 Missouri State Championship Meet.”

Lamar Track Head Coach Rodney Baldridge says Brenna has developed into a championship-caliber sprinter thanks to “her work ethic and competitiveness. She has the drive to get better and tremendous determination. She’s a hard worker and willing to do whatever our team needs.”

There’s a lot that goes into training, and Brenna says, “As a weightlifter, I’ve worked hard to strengthen my muscles. As a competitor in pageants (2022 Princess of America Ambassador National Queen and modeled in New York Fashion Week, and recently

Lamar Sports Brenna Morey Fast Facts

Age: 17

Height: 5’3”

Year in School: 12th grade in 2025-26

Parents: Kent and Melissa Morey

Siblings: Garrett Morey and Kara Morey

Hometown: Lamar, Missouri

Favorite Subject in School: English

Favorite Food: Grilled Chicken

Favorite Track Athlete: Retired U.S. Olympics 200-Meter Gold Medalist Sprinter (2012) Allyson Felix

Favorite Track Movie: “McFarland, USA”

competed for title of Miss Missouri Teen USA, while finishing first runner up), I also use a personal fitness trainer.

“This all helps with my speed, endurance and cardiovascular health. Preparation is the most important part of being successful. My diet, hydration, sleep, mental preparation, strength and speed training, and overall time I’ve invested is what makes me the athlete I am today.

“God has blessed me with the talent, but I wouldn’t be at the level I am today without taking care of myself and training. It’s also important to have mentors and coaches who support, encourage and instruct me on the best ways to train. Coach Baldridge has been a big help to me.”

“Every year she has gotten better,” Coach Baldridge says. “Brenna’s work in the weight room has helped a lot. She consistently works hard and takes great care of her body and mind.”

It’s not always easy, and Brenna says, “My main

challenge is nerves. I get nervous before running because I want to make my coaches, family and myself proud. Taking care of my body is also a challenge. It’s hard to fuel my body with the right things, get plenty of sleep and train correctly.”

Brenna’s faith guides her, and she says, “My life’s Bible verse is Psalms 46:5 (God is within her, she will not fail.). This shows me no matter what I do on and off the track, God is right beside me guiding my steps.”

Coach Baldridge says, “Brenna’s the complete package. She’s a great student and a great athlete. She’s all about doing things the right way.”

Little Golden City Chapel

In the Golden City, Missouri, city park on C Street/Highway 160 stands a little stone chapel. It was sponsored and built by Troop 83 Boy Scouts in 1954 with highway travelers in mind and

with the intention of the chapel being available for all faiths and the door always open.

If you’re in the area, be sure to stop. It’s a serene spot for reflection and communication with the higher being to which you pray.

COX BARTON COUNTY HOSPITAL EARNS TOP 100

Rural Hospital Honor for Third Straight Year

From staff reports

Excellence is not a one-time achievement; it is a standard. For the third consecutive year, the Chartis Center for Rural Health has recognized Cox Barton County Hospital in Lamar, Missouri, as a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital, reinforcing its status as a leader in rural health care.

Only four rural hospitals in Missouri, including Cox Barton, have earned this top honor.

This national recognition, based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, highlights the hospital's outstanding patient care, quality measures and commitment to excellence in rural medicine.

"Year after year, our team demonstrates that rural health care can be compassionate and effective as any other location in the country,"

says Andrea McKay, president of Cox Barton County Hospital. "Being named a Top 100 Rural Hospital for the third consecutive year reaffirms our commitment to providing personalized care to every patient, every time."

To determine the 2025 list, Chartis used the Chartis Rural Hospital Strength INDEX®, which assesses performance in inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge and finance.

"Cox Barton County Hospital continues to elevate its standards by investing in advanced technology, expanding its services and prioritizing patient-centered care," says McKay. "To be recognized once again highlights that the hospital is not only meeting expectations but consistently exceeding them."

To learn more about Cox Barton County Hospital and discover why it is consistently ranked among the nation's best, please visit coxhealth.com.

From left to right: Chris Judd, laboratory; Kara Sloan, patient registration; Rosie Hubbard, nursing administration; Bre Hinds, registered nurse; Sean Guiheen, nursing administration.

WHY WE RUCK Honor Flight of the Ozarks

By Kristi Spencer

More Than Just a March

Jonathan Dawson of Webb City, Missouri, along with David Pyle and Steven Taylor of Carl Junction, Missouri, have done their share of endurance events. But nothing quite compares to the Bataan Memorial Death March.

The trio first completed the nine-hour, 26.2-mile desert course in 2019 after hearing about it from David, whose uncle had participated. They chose the Civilian Heavy category, which means carrying a rucksack weighing at least 35 pounds across rugged terrain at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

“This is truly the hardest thing I think any of us has done,” Jonathan said. “The fatigue is real, and the game changer is the 35-pound rucksack. We are only going 26.2 miles versus the actual Bataan Death March, which was over 65 miles. We have

boots and good packs. After hearing the actual survivors, you stop complaining real quick.”

Their experience in 2019 left a lasting impression. “We heard from two Bataan survivors. In a word, it was surreal,” Jonathan said. “You could hear a pin drop as they talked about how their friends and soldiers helped them get through. It gave us a reason not to complain when on the course.”

They returned to the course in 2024 and again in 2025. What started as a physical challenge soon became a more personal one.

Carrying the Past

The Bataan Memorial Death March honors the men who were captured in the Philippines during World War II after months of fighting with little food, medical support or equipment. On April 9, 1942, more than 75,000 U.S. and Filipino troops surrendered to Japanese forces and were forced to walk 65 miles through the jungle. Around 10,000 men died on that march. Those who survived were sent to prisoner-of-war camps, and many never returned home.

“To hear the actual survivors tell their story. To see the museum and follow the path of Bataan in pictures. It is horrific,” Jonathan continued.

While the original march was a tragedy, the modern long-distance event has become a powerful tribute, drawing thousands who walk in memory of the men who never came home.

“Bataan was a dark time for the U.S. military. We never want to forget,” Jonathan said.

The Bataan Memorial Death March itself began in 1989 as a remembrance event organized by the Army ROTC program at New Mexico State University. What started with just over 100 participants has grown into an international event. In 1992, the march moved to White Sands Missile Range and received official support from the New Mexico National Guard.

Today, more than 6,000 people take part in the memorial each year. Participants choose between a full 26.2-mile course or a shorter 14.2-mile option. Participants include active-duty military personnel, veterans and civilians, and many walk in honor of relatives or units affected by the original march. Categories include heavy and light divisions, with some choosing to carry 35-pound packs, just as Jonathan, David and Steven did.

Some participants carry non-perishable food in their rucksacks, which is then donated to local food pantries.

Walking with Purpose

In 2024, the three friends rucked in honor of several military organizations, including Webb City American Legion Post 322, Webb City Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7630, Carl Junction American Legion Post 781, and the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base.

After completing that march, they decided to connect their efforts to Honor Flight of the Ozarks. Jonathan and Steven both served as Guardians on Honor Flight trips and saw the impact firsthand.

“Our mission was to honor current and past veterans,” Jonathan said. In support of that goal, they created The Flight for Bataan, a campaign designed to raise awareness about the Bataan Memorial Death March and Honor Flight of the Ozarks.

They set a goal of raising $50,000 to help fund future flights, and the result was more than they hoped for. The total for the fundraiser exceeded $53,000.

“We were honored to help Honor Flight of the Ozarks,” Jonathan said. “This could not have happened without the overwhelming support from our sponsors and community. It was truly remarkable. In my opinion, we live in a very patriotic area of the country. Veterans really mean something to us, and our communities show how much they care. The support just kept coming.”

Local individuals and businesses sponsored mile markers, donated in honor of veterans, or purchased service branch ribbons, which Jonathan, David and Steven wore on their rucksacks during the march. Webb City Elks Lodge 861 helped manage the funds, allowing for tax-exempt donations.

Supporting Veterans Today

Since 2013, Honor Flight of the Ozarks has flown 1,810 veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor. The trip is free to the veteran, but each flight costs nearly $175,000. With more than 400 veterans still on the waiting list, donations continue to make a difference.

“Every veteran is different,” Jonathan said. “The experiences they have on the trip are very unique. Any number of emotions can be witnessed during the day.”

“Every veteran is different. The experiences they have on (an Honor Flight) trip are very unique. Any number of emotions can be witnessed during the day.”

– Jonathan Dawson

Jonathan encourages others to support the mission. “Consider making a donation to Honor Flight of the Ozarks,” he said. “They truly make a difference to our veterans by providing a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see their monuments.”

If you would like to support Honor Flight of the Ozarks, donations can be made at honorflightoftheozarks.org. Whether it is honoring a veteran, sponsoring a future flight or simply sharing the mission with others, every effort helps preserve the stories and sacrifices of those who served.

Their march honored the past and opened the door for others to take action, one step at a time.

Each Honor Flight costs nearly $175,000. Please consider making a donation. These flights make a difference to our veterans by providing a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the veterans’ monuments. Donations can be made at honorflightoftheozarks. org.

ANDY Albertson

By Don Lowe

When Andy Albertson joined the service, there were two distinct things that led him down this path: “The reason I enlisted was because we had started a family and I wanted to

provide for them the best way I could. And with the turmoil in the Middle East, I felt led to do my part for my country.”

As for what made the Army right for Andy, he says, “It just seemed to be the best fit for me as far as what I was looking for at the time.”

It might have been a good fit, but it wasn’t easy, and Andy says, “The main challenges while I was in the military were being away from my family for long periods of time. I had family members who passed away while I was gone and missed all the ‘firsts’ with my children.

“Another challenge was developing close relationships with the people in my units, then eventually separating and never seeing them again due to deaths and getting stationed with other units all over the world.”

All the difficulties notwithstanding, Andy says, “The most satisfying and rewarding part of being in the service was the development of leadership skills that helped me gain the trust of my soldiers with their lives. Also, it helped me gain the

maturity and structure that every young man should have.”

When considering the impact his time in service had on him, Andy says, “The negative is the difficulties with adapting back to civilian life, such as learning to make friends and not being on ‘high alert’ all the time. The positives have been with developing skills and traits that helped make me successful in law enforcement.”

In the big picture view, Andy says, “Good or bad, the Army played a part in developing who I am today, and I feel blessed because of that. Also, I’ve been able to pass down knowledge that I gained to help others.”

It has been a little more than two decades since Andy officially left the military, and he says, “The key to a successful return to civilian life is not only going to church, but being an active member of a church family that surrounds you with support and love.

“I also believe that if you become part of an organization such as Charlie 22 Outdoors, you can be with like-minded veterans and a staff that accepts you for who you are, while providing Bible scriptures that help during difficult times.”

Having a wife stand alongside him all through his journey has been the most important thing for Andy, and he says, “It goes without saying that a patient, loving, supporting and available spouse is a major key to success.”

Hometown: Born in Sigourney, IA, and raised in Shell Knob, MO.

Current Home City: Webb City, MO

Age: 49

High School Alma Mater: Cassville High School. Class of 1994.

College Alma Mater: Missouri Southern State University Law Enforcement Academy. Class of 2020.

Career/Employment: Probation officer with the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Family: Parents: David Albertson and Linda Reese; siblings: Kristi Jordan and Jodie Seitz; wife: Candice Albertson; children: Andrew Albertson, Bailey Albertson, Levi Albertson, Brayden Hall and Chandler Hall.

Favorite Military/War Movie: “13 Hours”

Final Rank: Sergeant

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty): 63y20/Track Vehicle Mechanic

Year Enlisted and Stationed: 1996/ Fort Hood, TX

Year Finished Service: July 2003

Deployed: Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos near Killeen, TX) – 1st Cavalry Division and 4th Infantry Division, 4.5 years total; Camp Howze – South Korea, 1 year; and Camp Casey – South Korea, 1.5 years

Andy Albertson Fast Facts

O'Dell

By Don Lowe

When then 26-year-old Clay O’Dell enlisted in the service almost 15 years ago, there was only one place to go for him. He says,

“The United States Marine Corps is the standard of military excellence and I wanted to join the best. The Marines are the ‘tip of the spear,’ (leading force in any endeavor) and that’s what I wanted to be.”

It was 9/11 that pricked Clay’s heart, and he says, “I was a senior in high school when the towers fell. I tried to join then and help defend my country. But I was only 17. The Marines became a ‘shelf dream’ (put aside temporarily) until I was 26 years old.

“At that time, I was going to college and playing baseball. Every night, I’d go home from baseball practice or work and watch the news and feel guilty because I’m here living the easy life, while Americans are fighting and dying for those of us back here at home.”

Clay, who was studying to get a degree in ministry at the time, continued pondering his own situation and says, “I did not want to ever preach on sacrifice while never knowing what it was like to intentionally put myself in harm’s way and understanding I could possibly lose my life so others could live.

“How could I ever preach Jesus without being willing to sacrifice for someone else myself? There’s a deep meaning to John 15:13 and that struck a chord with me.”

While Clay gladly persevered through the difficulties of life in uniform, he says, “The biggest challenge was the physical toll the Marine Corps demands. Nothing is free and you must give everything the Marine Corps demands.

“The physical training demands everything you have. I still feel the Marine Corps in my joints and bones as I get older. But I don’t regret it. The continual training and all the extra weight you carry adds tremendous wear and tear on your body. But God got me through it.”

It was well worth it, and Clay says, “I enjoyed being a Marine, the way of life, the purpose, the mission, etc. I enjoyed serving with other Marines who were there for all the same reasons as me. We just wanted to serve and help others.

“The most satisfying part of it was purely selfish: I did the most difficult thing I’d ever do. Nothing will ever compare to what the Marine Corps puts you through. No one can ever say I didn’t do it. No one can ever say I didn’t do my part. The reward comes in knowing I did it.

“Serving still impacts me to this day. There is nothing out there that will ever be as difficult as life in the Marine Corps Everything else in this spoiled American life is easy.

“I don’t feel my return to civilian life has been successful. A lot of people have judged me and mislabeled me as a guy who hasn’t changed back into a civilian. But I don’t want to go back to those low standards. I respect and appreciate the high standards of the Marine Corps and strive to keep them as a civilian.”

Hometown: Born in Carthage, MO and lived in Joplin, MO.

Current Home City: Republic, MO

Age: 41

High School Alma Mater: Joplin High School. Class of 2002.

College Alma Mater and Year Graduated: Ozark Christian College, Joplin, MO. Class of 2011.

Family: Wife: Mica O’Dell, and son, Everett O’Dell.

Favorite Military/War Movie: “Braveheart”

Final Rank: Sergeant

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty): 0311/8152 (Marine Corps Rifleman/Marine Corps Security Force Guard) and 0933/0931 (Combat Marksmanship Coach/Combat Marksmanship Trainer)

Year Enlisted and Stationed: 2011/ Yorktown, VA

Year Finished Service: Sept. 2015

Deployed: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Yokosuka, Japan

Clay O'Dell Fast Facts

Leonard Cutbirth

By Don Lowe

At the age of an elementary school student in the mid-1970s, Leonard Cutbirth already knew which branch of the military would be his destiny. He says, “I wanted to be in the Army from the time I was 5 years old.

“I joined the delay entry program when I was 16 years old. I just wanted to serve my country. I also wanted to travel to as many places as possible.”

While Leonard was clear-eyed on his choice, there were tremendous demands, and he says, “I started in the Infantry (soldiers trained and equipped to fight on foot), then went to Airborne School (teaches soldiers how to parachute from aircraft) and Ranger School (designed to train soldiers in close combat and direct fire operations) after returning from a year in Korea.

“I then attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) and eventually completed the Special Forces Qualification Course, and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, Alpha Company, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) special unit. It was an extremely tough challenge to complete all the schools and graduate.

“After completing the Special Forces Qualification Course, I was always away from my wife and our youngest daughter. Most of the places I deployed were generally rough places to be.”

Leonard has reason to be proud of his tremendous achievements in the

Army and when considering what this well-accomplished veteran finds most satisfying, he says it was “earning my Airborne Wings (Parachutist Badge), Red Beret (can symbolize things like discipline, combat skills, etc.) and Ranger Tab Service School Qualification.

“I eventually earned my Green Beret (rigorous Special Forces Qualification Course to officially be a member of the Army’s Elite Special Forces). I participated in more than 200 airborne jumps and 368 combat missions during my career.

“The military made me who I am today. I learned to be resourceful, complete the mission and push beyond the quitting point with the mentality that ‘No one is coming to save us.’”

Regardless of the challenges, Leonard says, “I didn’t get paid much while serving but the pride with what I accomplished made it all worthwhile. Also, I received two associate degrees and two bachelor’s degrees with my GI Bill (benefit administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs that provides education and training to eligible veterans, active-duty service members and their dependents).”

Now three decades removed from his time in service, Leonard says, “When I first got out of the military, I suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which I didn’t understand at the time. I’m 100% totally and permanently disabled due to injuries I suffered while serving my country.

“I worked hard at a full-time job while going to college full-time as well. I tried to make up for lost time with my family. I believe for those who have been in combat, it’s a lifetime of transitioning back to civilian life. The healing process is best with other veterans and groups like Charlie 22 Outdoors that work tirelessly to help veterans.”

Hometown: Born in Upland, CA and raised in Humansville, MO.

Current Home City: Diamond, MO

Age: 54

High School Alma Mater: Humansville High School. Class of 1988.

College Alma Mater: Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO. Class of 2001.

Career/Employment: Retired

Family: Parents: Bill Cutbirth (deceased) and Riena Nash; siblings: Steve Cutbirth (deceased), Dale Cutbirth and Becky Cutbirth. Wife: Amber Cutbirth. Children: Sonya Cobble, Silvia Cutbirth, Stone Karcher and Steel Karcher.

Favorite Military/War Movie: “12 Strong”

Final Rank: E-5 Sergeant

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty): 18B Special Forces Weapon’s Sergeant

Year Enlisted and Stationed: June 22, 1988/Fort Benning, GA

Year Finished Service: June 30, 1996

Deployed: Korea for one year with 2nd Infantry, plus other deployments with 1st Special Forces Group (Philippines, Thailand, Okinawa, Japan, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq).

LUCAS TURNAGE

By Don Lowe

Whenthen 22-year-old Lucas Turnage enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard four years ago, he says at that time he

“was not in a place where I could go into active duty. But I still wanted to serve.

“I’m looking for other opportunities to work full-time with the Army. I am currently completing packets to go to flight school and work toward becoming an Army pilot in the future with the goal of advancing higher and farther in my military career.”

Lucas has a strong desire to serve his homeland, and he says, “I love my country. We enjoy freedoms I’ve seen taken away from citizens in other countries. If I’m going to reap the benefits of living here, I need to give back to my country for giving me so much.

“My heroes were soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. I remember when I read the book, “Lone Survivor,” in seventh grade. It was the first time I recognized the sacrifice it takes for us to enjoy the freedoms we have here. I wanted to be part of the ‘machine’ that ensures safety and freedom for my family and my country.”

As passionate as he is about serving, there’s sacrifice involved, and Lucas says, “It takes you away from loved ones for extended periods of time and puts you in dangerous situations that make you wonder if you’ll ever see your family again. Also, seeing

and doing some of the things we do can permanently alter your brain and damage it.

“Military life in general is a challenge as well. The military is a hard life. It’s demanding and dangerous. It’s a competitive, high-stress environment that consistently expects you to be your best. If you slip up a little, there’s the potential it could be a life-or-death mistake.”

Regardless of the difficulties, Lucas says, “I love the military community. I love the friends I’ve made along the way. I love the leadership. I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given.

“Serving in the military is the greatest choice I’ve made in my adult life. Working with like-minded individuals who are highly motivated to achieve mission success is one of the most satisfying experiences I’ve ever had in my life.”

It’s all about perspective, and Lucas says, “Joining the military made me a man. Before I joined, I was a college basketball player who only dreamed of achieving what I’ve accomplished. The military made me grow up, look myself in the mirror and work harder than I ever did in basketball.

“The relationships I’ve built through all the experiences have made the service and sacrifice worthwhile. I would not have most of my friends and the life experiences I’ve had if not for the military. I would not have the same pride in myself.”

When the time comes for him to transition back to civilian life, Lucas knows it won’t be easy, but he says, “My faith and my dogs are my biggest blessings when it comes to slowing down, settling down and reintegrating. You need things you enjoy that are low-stress and allow you to recover.”

LUCAS Turnage Fast Facts

Hometown: Born in Jerusalem, Israel. Lived in Belgium for a year and ended up in Springfield, MO. Lucas grew up traveling back and forth to Israel because of his dad’s company that takes Christian tours to experience the length of the Bible.

Current Home City: Rogersville, MO

Age: 26

High School Alma Mater: Montverde Academy in Florida. Class of 2017.

College Studies: Enrolling online at Arizona State University in the Homeland Security & Threat Management Programs in the fall.

Career/Employment: Police officer with Rogersville, Missouri, Police Department and current member of the Missouri Army National Guard.

Family: Parents: Marc Turnage, Amy Flattery; siblings: Jordan Turnage and Eliesheva Turnage.

Favorite Military/War Movie: “Act of Valor” Current Rank: Sergeant

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty): 11 Bravo, Infantry Team Leader

Year Enlisted and Stationed: 2021, Fort Benning, GA, for basic training.

Deployed: United States Southern Border and the Middle East.

Monty Johnson

By Don Lowe

All told, 58-year-old Monty Johnson has spent nearly half his life in the military, originally serving from 1991-1996 and then the past two decades (2006-2025) ministering to fellow service members. He says, “Initially I wanted to be an Airborne Infantryman. It’s the only branch (Army) that would guarantee Jump School.

“It was something I’d always wanted to do. I believe every man should spend a couple years in service. When I returned to the Army, I wanted to be in ministry. I wanted to serve God and had always been a soldier. It made sense to go back in the Army as a chaplain.”

While serving in the military has been his passion, Monty says, “It’s the best and worst of times. I loved being deployed. But being separated from family is difficult. I have an amazing wife who managed being mom and dad. She allowed me to focus on my task as chaplain.

“It takes a special woman to survive 26 years in the Army and I’m eternally grateful to my wife for that. I intend to spend time making it up to her now. I also have three sons who are amazing. Credit goes to God and my wife for them being the sons I’m eternally grateful for having.”

It was a satisfying experience for Monty, and he says, “I loved being a soldier and serving soldiers. I loved jumping out of planes, the ruck marches, the deployments, driving at breakneck speeds through the desert and low-level chopper flights.

“I loved baptizing soldiers in the Jordan River, presiding over weddings, doing marriage retreats, officiating memorials for America’s finest and doing retreats with families at Peterson Outdoors Ministries.”

Life hasn’t been easy, but Monty says, “Serving made me who I am. I was formed into the man I am today by my commanders and fellow soldiers. I’m negotiating what life will look like after a lifetime of jumping out of planes and ruck marches.

“I’ve had both knees and shoulders replaced, two neck fusions and four back surgeries. I’ve spent much of the last two years in a wheelchair. Now I’m walking with a cane and hoping to get my body to not being ‘gimpy.’ But I wouldn’t change a thing.

“I would say I’ve received far more than I’ve ever given. The people made it all worthwhile. It has been my life’s honor to serve alongside these greatest of men and women the world will ever know.”

As far as adapting to civilian life, Monty says, “I know God has a plan for me. He’s taken me on this odyssey, and even though I’ve often wondered what He’s doing, I know He has always been faithful and prepared me for what He had for me.”

Hometown: Born in Forest Grove, CA; lived in Fremont, Sacramento and Turlock, CA; and Flagstaff, AZ.

Current Home City: Fort Campbell, KY, but will be moving to Joplin, MO, in late June/early July.

Age: 58

High School Alma Mater: Flagstaff High School (Flagstaff, AZ). Class of 1985.

College Alma Mater: Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri; graduated in 2004. He also attended Missouri Southern State University and Wharton Community College, and received graduate degrees from Tennessee Temple Seminary.

Career/Employment: Retired from the U.S. Army and plans to work with Peterson Outdoors Ministries.

Family: Parents: John and Judy Johnson (both deceased); siblings: Joanne Palmer and Jeff Johnson; wife: Connie Jenkins Johnson; and children: John David Johnson, Caleb Montgomery Johnson and Nathaniel James Johnson.

Favorite Military/War Movie: “Green Berets”

Final Rank: Major

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty): Chaplain 56A/Non-MOS

Q’d Chaplain’s Assistant 71M/Formerly Scout/Infantry 11B1P

Year Enlisted & Stationed: 1991/Fort Bragg, NC (82nd Airborne)

Year Finished Service: Jan. 2025 (Jan. 1994 the first time)

Deployed: Fort Bragg, NC (Feb. 1992Jan. 1994); Parsons, KS (1.5 years); Oklahoma National Guard Chaplain Candidate/Joint Force HQ (Oct. 2006Oct. 2008); Missouri National Guard Chaplain Candidate/35th Eng BN Joplin, MO (Oct. 2008-Dec. 2010); Kansas National Guard Chaplain/Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia and Liberia (Jan. 2011-May 2012); Missouri Reserves Chaplain/ Springfield, MO (June 2012-May 2013); Special Forces Group/ABN Chaplain with five deployments as an Activated Reservist (June 2013-Jan. 2025) to Turkey (twice)/Jordan (four times)/Iraq (once) and Syria (once).

Monty Johnson Fast Facts

Lee Lake

By Don Lowe

When Lee Lake decided to enlist in the military

more than three decades ago, following in the footsteps of several loved ones was a no brainer for him. Lee says, “When I left my hometown, I needed to go serve. My family had a long tradition of service.”

Lee also recognized that this would be the perfect place for him to grow up, and he says, “I was a man child. Just because I was of legal age to serve didn’t mean I knew anything about how the world worked.”

When initially contemplating what direction to take with his life as a young man in 1992, Lee admits it was all about getting away from his roots. “I wanted to get out of my small hometown for a while.”

As for what led him to join the United States Naval Academy instead of pursuing another branch of the military, Lee says, “I liked being at sea.”

While Lee enjoyed spending time on the vast waters surrounding our country’s borders, there were challenges along his journey in the service. “Morale wasn’t always the best and it was hard to get promoted.”

Despite difficulties that made it tough at times, Lee found this life to have its thrilling aspects and he says it was all about “the camaraderie and being haze gray and underway (emphasizes the demanding nature of surface ship duty, and the paint color scheme used on U.S. Navy surface warships).”

It was a worthwhile adventure where Lee learned invaluable life lessons and says, “The Navy taught me tradition and precision. Naval tradition is a big thing, because it works. Modern technology is all well and good, but doing the same things the way they’ve always been done is important.

“I also served with some wonderful men.

Some of those gentlemen helped teach me about my own self-worth, and to understand that if you want to be respected, you need to have respect for others.

“You go in the service and they do what they do to make you who you need to be. The Navy is where I became a man.”

Lee returned to civilian life in late 1996. It was an adjustment, but what helped was having “family and friends, as well as community involvement. I joined the fire department and emergency management services (EMS), and the structure (of military life) helped me in that job.”

Lee encourages all those who have served to get plugged in with organizations like Charlie 22 Outdoors in Webb City, Missouri, that are focused on serving veterans, while providing what he describes as “a lot of faith-based activities. Be sure and check this out.”

Hometown: Crawfordville, FL

Current Home City: Purdy, MO

Age: 52

High School Alma Mater: Wakulla (Florida) High School. Class of 1992. College Alma Mater: Crowder College in Neosho, MO. Class of 2011.

Family: Parents: Dennis and Linda Lake; wife: Stacy Lake; children: James, Juliette, Cailee, Farrell, Chloe and Conner.

Favorite Military/War Movie: “A Bridge Too Far”

Final Rank: E4

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty): AMS3 (Aviation Structural Mechanic)

Year Enlisted and Stationed: June 15, 1992, Orlando, FL (Basic Training)

Year Finished Service: Nov. 10, 1996

Deployed: Mayport, FL, to join the USS Forrestal CV-59; Pensacola, FL, onboard Forrestal to become AVT59; PNSY Philadelphia, PA, in the shipyard; Pensacola, FL, for Aircrew & Rescue Swimmer’s School; NAS Jacksonville, FL, with HS-5 the Night Dippers flying from the USS George Washington CVN-73

Dennis Lee Lake Fast Facts

JOPLIN-AREA CIVIL

JOPLIN-AREA CIVIL

SERVING COMMUNITIES, SAVING LIVES AND SHAPING FUTURES OF YOUNG CADETS

By Kristi Spencer

When a man went missing near Parsons, Kansas, in the spring of 2023, it wasn’t just law enforcement and local volunteers who responded. The Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol showed up with boots on the ground and drones in the air.

“We deployed around 8 o’clock that morning,” said Lt. Colonel Kevin Sidenstricker, squadron commanding officer. “And he was found that afternoon.”

The Civil Air Patrol was founded in 1941, just days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, to bring together civilian pilots to support the nation’s defense efforts. Today, it’s a federally supported nonprofit and the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Locally, the organization has been active since around 1978. The Joplin-based squadron is officially known as the Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron MO 143. It is named in honor of Col. Travis Hoover, a decorated pilot and member of the Doolittle Raiders, the group of 80 airmen who carried out the United States' first strike on Japan in World War II. Hoover moved to the area in 1988 and lived in Joplin and Webb City, Missouri.

The group meets at the general aviation terminal of Joplin Regional Airport. From character development to survival training, their weekly gatherings are focused on preparing youth and adult members to step up during emergencies and develop new skills along the way. The Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron includes 26 cadets and

20 senior members, all volunteers. Each week, they train in physical fitness, safety, leadership and aerospace education.

“Our mission is to serve our communities, save lives and shape futures,” said Sidenstricker.

“We focus on three core areas: cadet programs, aerospace education and emergency services. That includes training in land navigation, survival skills for all kinds of weather and understanding dangers in nature so our teams are prepared for realworld search and rescue missions.”

The Joplin squadron trains with drones, officially called small unmanned aerial systems. They maintain about $80,000 in drone equipment and have members who are FAA-certified pilots. The drones can inspect bridges, dams and other infrastructure following natural disasters or emergencies.

“We’re trained to fly under railroad bridges, right up to the face of a dam and to look for cracks or signs of damage,” Sidenstricker said. “We can also use the drones in ground searches.”

Local members have deployed far beyond Missouri. When Hurricane Ian struck Florida, two of the squadron’s drone pilots traveled to assist with the emergency response. Their work led to the discovery of a man who was stranded in the mangroves for four days.

“They detected him, sent the imagery up to D.C., and a helicopter was deployed to rescue him,” said Sidenstricker.

Young people between the ages of 12 and 18 can join the Civil Air Patrol as cadets. Cadets learn the fundamentals of aerospace education, emergency services and leadership while working alongside senior members.

AIR PATROL AIR PATROL

As they move through the ranks, cadets can compete for academic and aviation scholarships. These can help launch careers in fields like engineering, aviation or meteorology.

“As they progress in rank, they’re given increasing leadership responsibilities,” said Sidenstricker. “Whether they’re in charge of one cadet or six, they’re constantly being groomed as leaders.”

Character development is a key part of training. Cadets attend sessions focused on teamwork, decision-making and moral courage.

“We use real-life scenarios,” Sidenstricker said. “You’re at home on the Fourth of July. Maybe people have been drinking, and they’re about to set off fireworks. It takes courage to speak up and say, ‘Please don’t do that.’ You might not be popular then, but you might save someone’s eyesight or a hand. That’s moral courage.”

Many cadets also work toward certifications that can lead to career opportunities. The squadron helps them build the knowledge and skills to become licensed drone pilots. Some are selected for flight school or apply to service academies, including the U.S. Air Force.

“We teach them everything they need to pass their test,” Sidenstricker said. “And for cadets, it’s free.”

Annual dues are less than $40. After that, everything from training to mentorship is included in the program. Some cadets continue through age 21. Others become senior members or move on to new challenges.

The Civil Air Patrol connects people who want to give back and keep learning, no matter their age. That includes students, professionals and retirees who are ready to learn new skills and take on new challenges.

“If we were to characterize the perfect candidate,” said Sidenstricker, “it would be someone who wants to serve their community while also working to better themselves. Someone who values integrity, volunteerism, excellence and respect.”

Those four values guide everything the organization does. Whether someone is drawn in by the leadership opportunities, the chance to fly or simply the desire to give back, no matter your background or interests, there’s a way to get involved.

Sidenstricker, a retired Navy veteran and private pilot, joined after discovering his skills could still be used to help others. “When I learned I could fly for Civil Air Patrol and help serve my community, state and nation, I was in.”

For those interested in getting involved, the website GoCivilAirPatrol.com outlines the steps for joining. Visitors are also welcome to attend a Tuesday night meeting to learn more in person.

This summer, cadets from across the state will take part in a week of training at the Missouri Military Academy during Civil Air Patrol’s annual encampment. For some, it will be their first time participating. For others, it’s a chance to step into leadership and help train the group behind them.

Whether flying drones, responding to emergencies or mentoring new members, the Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron volunteers are carrying forward a tradition of service.

By Heather Reynolds

THE SHORT REST

FANTASY-THEMED, ALL-AGES BAR AND RESTAURANT IS A GATHERING SPACE FOR FANS OF DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, FAE FOLK AND OTHER MYSTICAL REALMS

Words to describe The Short Rest are hard to find because the business does not fit into the typical bar or restaurant category. “Community,” “third space” or “public house” might best describe what this business has come to be for the customers who frequent this establishment.

The words tavern or pub are rarely used in this time and part of the world. In many places and common in history, a tavern or pub, short for public house, would be a gathering place, a space where people can have a drink, a warm meal, enjoy entertainment and meet a friend. This is exactly what the owner of the fantasy-themed bar and restaurant was going for when he opened The Short Rest in Joplin, Missouri, earlier this year. The tavern offers a variety of attractions to its customers and patrons, with drinks, food, games, books, movie nights, themed nights like fae raves, and tabletop game learning sessions.

Owner and tavernkeeper of The Short Rest, Jordan Watkins, and a friend came up with the plan to open the wonderland one morning while they were having breakfast. After discussing plans for the tavern-like space, Jordan decided to move forward with the business idea. Jordan, called a renaissance man by some of the patrons who feel a deep connection to the business, is a veteran and former world traveler. After spending time abroad, he came back to Missouri to be closer to friends and family. After planning and preparing to open the business for over a year, the tavern had its soft opening on Halloween night of last year. While it was only open as a bar at first, Jordan launched the grand opening March 21 of this year, with a full kitchen and menu, and the ability to open up to people of all ages.

Patrons of The Short Rest are more than just patrons; they are a community. Many of the people who come to the pub have come to know one another and built relationships outside of their time at the establishment.

Tavernkeeper Jordan Watkins

“Jordan gave the community a home; we all love it here” says Brad, one of the frequent visitors to The Short Rest. “This is one of the safest, most comfortable, welcoming places I have ever been. I have daughters and I have no problem bringing them here.”

The space has a much stronger family-centered atmosphere than your typical bar so kids and people of all ages can feel welcomed and able to participate in the same activities as the other patrons. Patrons have also contributed to the decor throughout the tavern, with many of them leaving things or donating items they may not have room for or items they made specifically for The Short Rest. Such items include a large shield displayed on the bar and a gigantic knitted opossum.

Although Jordan is the sole owner, there is a sense of ownership amongst those who frequent The Short Rest. Each person feels as though they have a say in what happens there, and any of the patrons would not hesitate to give Jordan a helping hand when it comes to marketing or design ideas. Patrons feel a sense of ownership, a deep connection they wouldn’t find at a typical business.

Jordan felt a connection to the Silver Sage Renaissance Fair, which had its debut this Memorial Day weekend. The fair had a large turnout and Jordan and the leaders of the fair hope to collaborate in the future.

The Short Rest is not a bar themed after any specific game or fantasy book but rather a conglomerate of many different fantasy works of fiction. Although fantasy garb is

not required to enter, anyone who comes to the tavern with any kind of fantasy gear can receive a discount on purchases. Any kind of clothing is welcome, whether you want to dress in a t-shirt and jeans or in full historically accurate noblemen garb. Everyone has a place at The Short Rest.

“I backpacked a lot, and comfortable clothing was important. When I come in here, I’m not dressing up. This kind of clothing is what I normally wear,” says Jordan.

Business hours are from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Every first and third weekend, the business stays open past 11 p.m. as an age 18-plus establishment for more of a bar hour atmosphere.

The Short Rest features many different events throughout the week that cater to the wants of the patrons. These events include themed nights like Fae Fridays, Fight Club Saturdays, and Dungeons and Dragons, or D&D, game nights on Sundays. On Fae Fridays, participants are encouraged to dress up and join in on events such as a fae rave.

Fight club nights are a popular event at the tavern, with a lot of families coming in for fight club. People use foam swords, and the fights are overseen by professional reenactment fighters or others who have experience with martial arts.

On Sunday nights, tavern goers can participate in a number of different D&D game sessions and even take part if they have never played before. There are tables for the novice player as well as the veteran player.

Traveler, your journey has been long. Come on down to The Short Rest, take off your cap, enjoy a drink, meet a friend or make a new one, and revive yourself.

By Larry Whiteley

If the World had

a front porch

Iwas returning from a camping/fishing trip one day recently and decided to drive by where the farmhouse I was born in on my grandma and grandpa’s farm once stood. The house, the old barn, the smokehouse, the chicken coop and the outhouse were torn down long ago.

I got out of my truck and started walking around the bare land. There was nothing left that anyone would ever know this had once been a place where many happy memories were made. As I walked, I could see in my mind’s eye everything that was once there.

As I walked, I heard the sound of gurgling water. I walked up the hill behind where the old barn stood. There was the old spring I used to haul water for drinking, baths and Grandma’s cooking. We also stored milk from our Jersey cow named Daisy in its cold water. It was still running after all those years. I filled my cupped hand with its water and sipped a drink.

On my way back to my truck, I stopped again where the old farmhouse had been. It had a big front porch. We spent lots of time there when I was a kid growing up. There was no air conditioning back then. During the summer we spent time out there at the end of the day after all the chores were done.

Grandpa would whittle on a piece of wood while smoking his pipe and sitting in his rocking chair. I still have that chair. Grandma would churn butter from the cow’s milk or mend some clothing by hand with needle and thread. Chickens would be walking around in the yard. Grandma and Grandpa’s dogs, Trixie and Blackie, would lay on the front porch, worn out from their busy day chasing squirrels. I would run around catching fireflies and put them in a Mason jar with holes in the lid. We listened to the sounds of whip-poor-wills and owls hooting.

It was hard for me to leave that day, but we had church that night and I knew my wife would be waiting. I got back in my truck and started toward home. On the way, I passed by the town where I spent my teenage years after Grandpa died and we left the farm. The old main street was still there but none of the businesses I remember back then. The cafe, drug store, hardware store, post office, barber shop, doctor’s office and pool hall were no longer there.

South of Main Street, my school still stood but was now used for offices for the school district. The high school is across town and a hundred times bigger than the one I attended. The junior high and several elementary schools are scattered around the town. It had grown into a big city I hardly recognized. Fast food choices, shopping centers and housing developments were everywhere.

I decided to drive by some of the old houses we lived in before I left to serve our country and start my own life. Driving through some of the old neighborhoods I could still recognize, I noticed the houses all had front porches like we did on the farm.

It was a time before televisions and computers dominated lives and kept people inside. A time before a porch in the front got much smaller and people built backyard patios or decks with tall, wooden fences around them. Most people don’t even know their neighbors on the other side of that fence.

It was a time when we did not worry about crime. It was a time when life did not seem so hectic and sometimes scary. I don’t think we were as busy back then. It was a time when people would sit on front porches reading the newspaper or the Bible, playing checkers or talking face to face with each other instead of by smartphone.

If neighbors or someone else were out walking or drove by, honked and stopped, they were sometimes invited to sit on the front porch and enjoy a glass of tea or lemonade; maybe even a bowl of homemade ice cream or a plate of sliced watermelon.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

A front porch is where life's greatest moments unfold!

- Linette Basso

Most of the men were World War II or Korean War veterans. There were always a few war stories shared. Politics was a topic of conversation but not like it is today in our divided nation.

Women talked of kids, grandkids and what was happening at church. They did not talk about the latest and greatest online sale. They were not interrupted by smartphones.

There were times when I was a teenager I was invited to sit with folks on their front porch. The women would ask how my mom, dad and siblings were doing. They wanted to know if I was going to college after high school.

The men wanted to know how basketball or baseball season was going and if I was joining the military. They all knew I loved the outdoors. They would ask about my latest hunting and fishing adventures, of which there were many to tell them about. They also knew I loved to go gigging for frogs in the summer and would hint to me how much they liked fried frog legs, so I would offer to bring them some. They would also tell me they liked fried crappie and fried sucker fish. There were times I would take them some, and they loved it.

Later in life, my wife and I bought a cabin in the woods on a bluff. It had a front porch where we could see the creek below and the waterfall cascading down the hill. We spent many days on that front porch enjoying family, friends and hummingbirds. When I think about it, some of my best memories came from sitting on front porches.

The idea for this story has been floating around in my head for quite some time. It started with a song by country singer Tracy Lawrence called “If the World Had a Front Porch.”

If the world had a front porch like we did back then, we'd still have problems, but we'd all be friends. Treatin' your neighbor like he's your next of kin, wouldn't be gone with the wind.

If the world had a front porch like we did back then.

Maybe we need to get Democrats and Republicans together on the front porch. Maybe, we need to get leaders of other countries together on the front porch.

If the world had a front porch like we did back then, we might still have some problems, but we could all be friends. If the world had a front porch like we did back then …

May I quote you?

IJeff Cantrell is a MO Stream Team Biologist & Naturalist working for the Missouri Deptartment of Conservation. He covers a 31-county region and is based out of Joplin. He may be reached at jeff.cantrell@mdc.mo.gov.

collect quotes from historical figures and/or inspirational conservationists like Rachel Carson and Terry Tempest Williams. I may use an old standard saying that you and I may love from Edward Abbey or Margaret Mead. But there is an ingredient I must add to a collection of inspirational sayings I use for programs, articles and lectures; that ingredient is the remarks I note from my volunteers and individuals who approach me for service to our great outdoors.

The Naturalist Voice columnist Jeff Cantrell is out of the country this month, so we’re reprinting his column from July 2024. Jeff will return with a new article in the August issue. Safe travels, Jeff!

One benchmark quote I use from Margaret Mead, a celebrity in the public-service sense, is,

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Field notes by J. Cantrell

Photos courtesy of the MO Dept. of Conservation

One feel-good avenue of volunteering is the Missouri Master Naturalist program. I’ve been the advisor of the Joplin area’s Chert Glades MO Master Naturalist (MMN) since 2005 and have assisted with the Springfield Plateau MMN the following years up to the present day. We are a network of statewide chapters modeled after similar organizations from many sister states.

As a Missouri Department of Conservation employee along with my peers at Joplin’s nature center, Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center, we are here to assist learning and citizen science projects for all people of all ages, abilities and naturerelated interests. The master naturalist program takes it a step further … participants embrace service. They are a small group at times and even volunteering as individuals, but they are changing our world and helping our local environment for the better. This program is sponsored by the MU Extension and the state’s conservation department to develop naturalist skills in people willing to share their love for nature with their communities.

The established adult members meet monthly, and they also have outings and hikes, etc., for their own discoveries and networking with colleagues. Their projects are varied as much as their hobbies and

I hope to see you outside embracing our natural resources! Environmental quotes do inspire and so does firsthand experiences on the creek or taking in the colors of a July prairie. Enjoy!

- Jeff

pursuits in nature. Both the Springfield and Joplin chapters have training classes this late summer and fall. The Joplin chapter will have three Saturday field experiences and Tuesday evenings dedicated to training; Springfield’s will be announced soon.

Training for both classes consists of 40 hours of natural resource education by experts in various fields. After completion of training, a capstone project and 40 hours of community service, volunteers become a certified Missouri Master Naturalist. Each year, they will complete eight hours of advanced training and 40 hours of service to maintain certification. Interested? Let me know. We look forward to meeting our kindred spirits who enjoy sharing nature and love giving back to the habitats, rivers and wetlands of our local environment!

When training finishes every year, one of the most common quotes I hear is, “What are we going to do on our

Tuesday evenings?” A wonderful thing about being a Missouri Master Naturalist is it’s easy to find someone for a nature walk or citizen science project on an available Tuesday or anytime.

Check out our website at chertglades. org and our Facebook page: Chert Glades Missouri Master Naturalist for more information. Feel free to email me at jeff.cantrell@mdc.mo.gov.

YOUR

Sleep Habits Sleep Habits COULD

BE SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH

By Bradley Morris

Sleep is an important part of our health, but most people do not get enough sleep. Sleep is important for weight loss, healing and general daily functions, but it’s so easy to take sleep for granted or even seeing it as something that gets between you and your life.

Getting to sleep early is important because the amount of sleep you get is important. You probably know that most adults need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep a night, but having unhealthy long-term sleep patterns can lead to an increased risk of dementia and other brain degenerative diseases. Even getting only 6 hours of sleep each night can cause sleep deprivation and put your long-term health at risk.

Midnight snacks are bad for your sleep habits. This isn’t even a question of healthy versus unhealthy snacks – but that is a factor, and the short answer is you should go for healthy snacks – the real problem is just the snacks itself. Eating before bedtime can lead to discomfort and difficulty falling asleep as your body potentially struggles to digest what you’ve eaten. How much this is a factor entirely depends on what you eat as nutritional composition and digestibility play a large role in this, but developing the self-control to not get that midnight snack will help you in the long run.

Perhaps the newest – and maybe biggest – concern for getting a good night’s sleep is screen time. Screen time is horrible for getting you ready for sleep. Generally, it is recommended to get away from screens 30 to 60 minutes before you want to be asleep, but if you sleep near your phone, just resisting the urge to pick it up every few minutes might be enough to see you getting better sleep.

Phones are maybe obvious, but what about falling asleep with a TV on for some white noise? Generally, studies have shown that this is also bad for sleep quality, not only because the TV might be keeping you up (despite how much you think it’s helping you) but also because it can disrupt your sleep quality while it’s on. This might not manifest as something cliché as a loud noise waking you up, but the noise from the TV could disrupt your sleep cycle, stopping you from getting to those deeper stages of sleep.

One thing to note about bad sleep is that you might not realize how bad you have it. Your brain might be craving a dopamine kick from your screen or you stomach might give hunger pangs because it didn’t get its midnight meal, and going against these cravings can make healthy habits feel worse than unhealthy habits. Sometimes, you have to get to a healthy place and stay there a bit before you can realize just how disruptive to your life bad routines are.

Quapaw Nation Museum

From now through fall, Quapaw Nation Museum is honored to share a special exhibit with visitors called Around the Shoulders: Robes, Blankets, and Shawls

The exhibit shares the story of maⁿ-iⁿ-taⁿ, which means “that which is worn around the shoulders.” Visitors can see many kinds of robes, shawls and blankets that were made or used by the Quapaw people. The exhibit includes tribal items, copies of old robes and special family pieces passed down for generations. Guests will also learn how painted robes were made, and how trade blankets and shawls were brought in and used.

905 Whitebird St., Quapaw, OK • 918.238.3157 Quapawnation.com/Museum

Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Walk with a DOC

New Joplin chapter focusing on mental health

By Kevin McClintock, Media Relations Coordinator, Freeman Health System

Ozark Center officials couldn’t have chosen a more gorgeous spring morning to debut its inaugural Walk with a Doc event at Joplin’s Mercy Park. Think of the program as the perfect union between health and happiness that’s accessible to one and all by allowing participants to safely take a walk, learn about current behavioral wellness topics and meet new people.

During the chapter’s first public walk on a mid-June Saturday, members of the community heard from Dr. Nauman Ashraf, program director for Ozark Center’s Psychiatry Residency program. Speaking prior to the start of the walk, Dr. Ashraf focused on shattering negative attitudes, beliefs, stereotypes and discriminations some people may hold toward those who experience mental health conditions. The

idea is to bring such discussions out into the open where they can be embraced and openly discussed.

“The biggest message I want to get across is we need to fight this stigma against mental illness as well as addiction – it’s a medical disorder just like any disorder like hypertension or diabetes,” Dr. Ashraf said. “If we really believe in it and we can create some awareness – all of us creating this ripple effect – we can go into other communities, whatever I tell them they can take (the message) forward and educate other people. That’s what I’m hoping to do.”

Vicky Mieseler, Ozark Center’s chief executive officer, said they first learned about the national Walk with a Doc program from the Springfield, Missouri, chapter. Since the Springfield chapter focuses on healthcare, Ozark Center officials thought it would be a good idea to highlight mental and behavioral health.

“It’s an opportunity to hear a brief presentation from one of our psychiatrists

and learn a little bit about mental health – maybe something you didn’t know,” she said. “And then as you walk through the beautiful Rotary sculpture garden, you can ask questions. Maybe you have questions about yourself or somebody you love. It’s a good opportunity to get those questions answered.”

This free community walking program will be led each month by one of Ozark Center’s behavioral healthcare providers and is open to people of all ages and abilities. Each walk starts at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month at Mercy Park, 3002 St. Johns Blvd., meeting beneath the Mercy Park Pavilion. During inclement weather, the walk will move to the nearby Joplin Family YMCA, 3404 W. McIntosh Cir Dr., Joplin.

For more information, visit https:// walkwithadoc.org/join-a-walk/ locations/joplin-missouri/.

Al-Anon—Weekly group meetings for persons affected by another person’s drinking. Call 888.4AL.ANON (888.425.2666) for meeting locations or go to Missouri-AlAnon.org for more info.

Narcotics Anonymous – 24-hour helpline: 800.913.2720.

Freeman Health System

Joplin, MO

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.

July 1: Espresso Yourself Breast Cancer Support Group, 5-6 p.m., Joplin Avenue Coffee Company, 506 S. Joplin Ave. Come and enjoy a coffee courtesy of Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute. Our monthly breast cancer support group enables members to share and gain helpful information and useful tips, as well as form new friendships. Enjoy listening to a special guest from time to time. RSVP to Marcella Sowell at 417.347.2662.

July 2: 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.

July 3: Freeman Parenting/Children Resources Group, noon-1 p.m., Freeman Women’s Pavilion, 1532 W. 32nd St., First Floor Conference Rooms. Guest speaker Kaycie Woodward, Children’s Division Prevention Team, will be demonstrating how infants are affected through different scenarios with baby simulating dolls. Contact Madison Burkhart, Freeman Community Health Worker and group facilitator, at mgburkhart@freemanhealth.com for more information.

July 15: Ozark Center Daytime Autism Support Group, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism, 2808 S. Picher Ave. Open to people with autism, parents and caregivers. Call 417.347.7850 for more information.

July 15: Freeman 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 Janice Drake at 417.347.1266.

National Adult Literacy Action - For information on NALA, call 417.782.2646, email Jessica@joplinnala.org

or visit www.joplinnala.org. Located at 123 S. Main St. in Joplin. Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:30 a.m.5 p.m., and Thursday and Friday: 8:30 a.m.-noon.

Nevada, MO

July 12: Birth and Beyond Class, 9 a.m.-noon. Meets at the Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) Mezzanine Conference Room. This class covers childbirth, breastfeeding and infant care for women in their last trimester. Includes a tour of the NRMC Maternity Care Center (if available). $15 registration fee. Fee may be waived if cost is prohibitive. Register by calling 417.448.3801.

July 22: Rich Hill Family Medical Clinic Screenings, 11 a.m.noon., Kern Senior Center. Free health screenings are offered every fourth Tuesday of the month to residents of Rich Hill.

July 24: Blood Drive, noon-6 p.m., Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) Mezzanine Conference Room. Give the gift of life. All blood collected stays local. One donation could help save the lives of two patients.

Integris Baptist Regional Health Center, Grove, OK

INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center, Miami, OK - For more information, visit www.integrisok.com/baptistregional-health-center-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.

July 1: Alzheimer’s Support Group meets first Tuesday monthly, 11 a.m., Generations fourth floor visiting room. Call 918.542.3391.

Crisis Text Line Text 741741

Free 24/7 support for those in crisis to create a plan to stay safe and healthy.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code. www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

The ROCC and Joplin Police Dept. Hosting Expungement Event July 4

By Bridget Bauer

If you need a Jasper County felony or misdemeanor record erased, July 4 is the day that process may get started.

The Joplin Police Department is sponsoring an expungement project. The event will take place on Independence Day from 9 a.m. to noon at The ROCC (Recovery Outreach Center) in Joplin, Missouri.

Expungement is when the court seals a criminal record. An expunged record is not publicly accessible and would require a court order to reopen the record. Individuals who have had crimes expunged do not have to disclose those crimes except in specific instances. (From the missourilawyershelp.org/legal-topics/understandingmissouris-new-expungement-law/)

Because having criminal offenses on a record can cause an extra burden when it comes to getting jobs, approved for housing or securing a loan, it becomes a challenge to move forward after an arrest and/ or a charged or convicted crime. Expungement allows certain felonies and misdemeanors to be sealed in Missouri records. This means they are not available to the public and can’t be unsealed except for certain conditions with a court order. Sealing of the records means a person doesn’t have to disclose a criminal record but for a few exceptions regarding employment, housing, loan applications and other entities that require a background check.

Enacted in 2018 with a major update in 2021, Missouri’s expungement law had another major update this year. The number of misdemeanors allowed to be erased went from two to three and the number of felonies from one to two. The waiting period for expunging a record was also reduced. Added offenses to be excluded from expungement are sexual conduct with a nursing facility resident in the second degree, use of a child in sexual performance, promoting a sexual performance of a child and cross burning.

Teddy Steen, executive director of The ROCC and ASCENT Recovery Residences, met Joplin Police Chief Dr. Richard Pearson, after he and first responders were invited to The ROCC to talk about how they can help each other in the recovery community. The discussion about the expungement event came up.

“I asked if it could be here, and he thought it would be a good idea,” Steen said. “I’m really happy he chose to do it here at The ROCC with us. We can show how we are trying to help the community.”

Pearson and attorneys will be present at the event to guide those wishing to attempt to get records sealed.

Retail and Services

Brent Hardesty

Hardesty TechConnect

Computer Repair

Brent Hardesty

Video Converting

Computer Repair | Video Converting

417.793.4955

HardestyTechConnect@gmail.com 417-793-4955

HardestyTechConnect@gmail.com

Sanborn Financial Coaching, LLC

Barry Sanborn Ramsey Personal Finance Coach

417.499.8805

missourimoneycoach.com

barrysanborn@hotmail.com

La Bonita Café & Pupusas

Specializing in artisan Salvadoran pupusas. Located at the Joplin Empire Market every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Follow us on Facebook to stay updated on where our food truck will be next!

Helene Sheeler-Johnson

Strategic Marketing & Communications PRINT | BROADCAST | WEB Analysis | Strategy | Branding Advertising | Social |Digital | Video | PR Promotions | Events

623.570.2759

HeleneSheelerJohnson@gmail.com

HeleneSheelerJohnson.com www.therightmed.com

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