Articles

Smokey Racks BBQ, founded by Jared Sharpe and now owned by Celeste and Ray Baker, has grown from a garden shed startup into a beloved barbecue spot known for its smoked meats, homemade sides, and desserts. Despite setbacks—including a fire and Celeste’s serious illness—the Bakers rebuilt and reopened in a new location, earning local acclaim and a loyal following. Celeste’s passion for feeding people and her resilience shine through, making Smokey Racks BBQ a true community favorite.

Comeau Jewelry, a family-owned business with locations in Pittsburg, Kansas, and Joplin, Missouri, specializes in custom jewelry design, restoration, and exceptional customer service. Led by Chad and Jill Comeau and their skilled team—including their sons—the store combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to create unique, personalized pieces and restore cherished heirlooms. With over 20 years of experience, Comeau Jewelry is dedicated to building lasting relationships and helping customers celebrate life’s special moments with beautifully crafted jewelry.

Fostering Connections, founded by Lacy Nickelson in 2018, supports foster and adoptive families in Southeast Kansas through a variety of family- and child-centered programs, including birthday gifts, home improvement help, and special events. Driven by faith and community partnerships, the organization aims to ensure every foster child feels loved and valued, providing practical resources and emotional support to help families thrive.

JoMo Jammin’ is a July music festival at the Beshore Performing Arts Center in Joplin, featuring two regional bands each Saturday: MoonShroom and Eureka Strings (July 6), Modeling and Fox Royale (July 13), Rochelle Bradshaw & Hypnotion and Mariachi Flor De Missouri (July 20), and Brock Wade Band and The Mixtapes (July 27). The series showcases a variety of genres, from Americana and indie rock to reggae and mariachi, offering audiences a diverse and lively concert experience.

Dustin Strong, a former Marine sergeant from Pittsburg, Kansas, has dedicated his post-military life to historical education and reenactment, drawing on his own family’s Revolutionary War legacy. Now president of the local Sons of the American Revolution chapter, he leads efforts to bring history alive through living-history events and a period-accurate Color Guard, aiming to inspire community appreciation for America’s past and ensure its stories are passed down to future generations.

Self-taught artist Rachel Cabral, inspired by her supportive parents and now encouraging her own children’s creativity, is known for her vibrant, detailed portraits and love of color contrasts. Influenced by artists like Frida Kahlo and Chuck Close, Cabral has earned recognition in national exhibits and values nurturing artistic expression in her family, often hosting home art shows to celebrate their work together.

Cassie Garrett, a nurse practitioner with a family history of heart disease, uses running to maintain her health, manage stress, and find personal accomplishment. Having completed over 20 half-marathons and a full marathon, she values the discipline and mental benefits running provides, encourages others to start at their own pace, and enjoys the camaraderie and positivity found at races.

The 152nd annual Quapaw Powwow, held July 4-7 at Beaver Springs Park in Quapaw, Oklahoma, celebrates the tribe’s rich traditions with dance, music, food, and family gatherings. The event features inter-tribal dancing, traditional ceremonies for children, and memorial dances, welcoming both Native and non-Native visitors to experience and honor Quapaw culture and community.

Ryan Sprague, a junior at Carl Junction High School, has excelled in trampoline and tumbling, winning both the Region 4 and Missouri State Championships in Level 10 Double Mini Trampoline and qualifying for his third consecutive USAG Nationals. Recently named Missouri’s USAG Athlete of the Year, Sprague credits his success to dedication, consistency, and a positive mindset, with ambitions to reach elite and international competition levels in the future.