Ann Leach

Melissa Ritter, an avid runner, credits her fitness journey to overcoming mental barriers and setting personal goals, progressing from solo runs for quiet reflection to marathon training. Inspired by supportive mentors and her family, she now aims to run marathons in all 50 states and encourages others, especially middle-aged adults, to pursue active, challenging goals for lifelong health.

Potter Mark Strayer, working from his wooded studio near Lamar, Missouri, creates functional and decorative ceramics that evoke personal memories and connections for his customers. Inspired by nature and vintage imagery, Strayer continually experiments with new techniques and donates his work to support local causes like the Empty Bowls event. He encourages everyone to experience the unique joy of using handmade pottery in daily life.

Connect2Culture has announced a new season of performances at the Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex in Joplin, beginning September 2024. The lineup features a diverse array of acts—including classical, jazz, country, dance, theater, comedy, and family shows—such as The String Queens, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Saint Louis Dance Theatre, and Christmas with Guy Penrod. With options for season and individual tickets, the season aims to engage the community with high-quality entertainment for all ages.

Special Olympics Kansas recently held its Summer State Games, bringing together athletes from across the state for competition, friendship, and celebration. The organization, led in part by Senior Director Erin Fletcher, offers year-round sports, health programs, and leadership opportunities to improve quality of life and promote inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities. SOKS encourages community involvement through volunteering, unified sports, and support for its ongoing events and programs.

Sylvia Grotheer, a potter in Pittsburg, Kansas, has turned her passion for ceramics into a thriving community studio where she teaches, creates, and encourages self-expression through clay. Inspired by her own mentors and experiences in open studios, Grotheer’s space offers classes, workshops, and a welcoming environment for all, while she continues to craft and hand-paint her own unique porcelain pieces.

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.

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.

Lifelong friends Jerg Frogley and Joan Allen, both 80, have supported each other’s artistic journeys since childhood, from entering art contests to taking classes and now creating daily in their own studios. Despite their differences, their friendship is rooted in encouragement, laughter, and a shared passion for art. Today, they teach, exhibit locally, and continue to inspire each other, proving that creative companionship can last a lifetime.