Articles

The Fairy Festival at Lendonwood Gardens in Grove, Oklahoma, on June 1 offers a whimsical experience for all ages, featuring crafts, fairy wings for kids, live music, a magician, face painting, fairy godmothers, and more—all set in the garden’s enchanting woodland setting. Organized with community support, the event highlights Lendonwood’s mission to connect people with nature and showcases the garden as a unique, year-round destination in Northeast Oklahoma.

Joplin will host the 65th annual National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC) Convention from May 13-19, drawing hundreds of Corvettes and enthusiasts from across the country. The week-long event features drag races, autocross, a car show, and valve cover racing, along with excursions to regional attractions. Organized by the 4 State Vettes Corvette Club and NCCC leaders, the convention highlights teamwork, community pride, and a shared passion for America’s iconic sports car.

The 13th and final Freeman Joplin Memorial Run will take place May 17-18, honoring the city’s resilience since the 2011 tornado. The event features multiple races, a Walk of Silence, and tributes to the 161 lives lost, with over 2,000 runners and 400 volunteers expected. Over its 13 years, the run has raised more than $300,000 for local causes, serving as a symbol of remembrance, community spirit, and Joplin’s ongoing recovery.

The Annual Cutest Baby Contest showcases adorable children from the Four States region, with all entry fees benefiting the local Children’s Miracle Network hospital. This year’s winners are Karson Smith (1st place), Harper Flenniken (2nd), Lenora Thompson (3rd), and Facebook Fan Favorite Sylas Sumners. The contest celebrates the joy these children bring while supporting a worthy cause for local kids in need.

The Ottawa County Arts Festival (formerly Mural Fest 66) returns to Miami, Oklahoma, on April 27, celebrating local arts, culture, and community pride. The event features new Route 66-themed murals, a benefit car show, live music, food trucks, and family activities. Organized by the Miami Arts & Humanities Council, the festival brings together artists, residents, and visitors to enjoy public art, support small businesses, and foster creativity throughout Ottawa County.

The 54th annual Earth Day, themed “Planet vs. Plastics,” highlights the urgent need to reduce plastic production by 60% by 2040 and phase out single-use plastics by 2030. EarthDay.org’s campaign calls for greater public awareness, policy changes, and investment in alternatives to protect human health and the environment. Since its founding in 1970, Earth Day has grown into a global movement, encouraging people worldwide to take action for a cleaner, healthier planet.

Carol Merciez of Grove, Oklahoma, began painting with watercolors during the Covid-19 quarantine and now creates colorful, detailed works inspired by nature. She also enjoys oil painting and displays her art locally, balancing her creative pursuits with a new job and yoga teacher training. Merciez aims to exhibit more art in 2024 and continues to find inspiration in the Grand Lake area she calls home.

The Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism in Joplin provides comprehensive, individualized services for over 300 clients annually, helping children with autism make significant progress in communication, academics, and daily living. Through programs like ABA therapy and community events such as the Freeman 5K and Walk for Autism, the center offers hope and support to families, aiming to expand services and improve quality of life for those affected by autism in the Four States region.

Kevin Kirby, owner of Grand Lake Pawn in Grove, Oklahoma, turned to biking after quitting smoking and now enjoys gravel and mountain biking for both physical and mental well-being. He builds his own bikes, documents his rides, and encourages others to get outside, try new trails, and enjoy the benefits of exercise and nature for as long as they can.