Don Lowe

For nearly three decades, Baugh Flight Park near Reeds has been a place where powered parachutes lift more than just pilots into the sky—it’s where the Baugh family shares their love of flying across generations, welcoming students, neighbors, and visitors into a community built on adventure and wonder.

At 86, Carl Junction’s Herb Hoerman proves age is just a number—riding miles each week, tinkering with his beloved bike, and inspiring others with his passion for health, history, and staying active.

Carl Junction Schools welcomes Superintendent Dr. David Pyle and High School Principal Keith Robertson—two leaders with strong ties to the district who are dedicated to preparing students for bright futures while strengthening the heart of the community.

Tom Swartz, a 55-year-old Pittsburg resident, maintains a lifelong passion for cycling, riding multiple times a week for its physical, mental, and social benefits. He is an active member of the Whose Tires Flat? (WTF) Cycling Club, a close-knit group of friends that has also partnered with a local running group to organize community and charity rides.

This October, Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School in Joplin is celebrating the milestone of surpassing 500 alumni in its 32-year history. The school views the diverse successes of its graduates as a direct reflection of its mission and actively fosters a lifelong connection with them through dedicated events and alumni engagement programs.

In a historic preservation effort, Lorenz Haus Development has transformed a 125-year-old building in downtown Pittsburg into a vibrant small business incubator and community hub at 211 N. Broadway. The revitalized property is a unique ecosystem featuring an outdoor food truck court, a speakeasy, a barbershop, and a retail store, creating a single destination for patrons to gather, connect, and support local entrepreneurs.