Don Lowe

The Joplin Area Welcome Club (JAWC), now celebrating its 40th anniversary, has long helped newcomers adjust to life in Southwest Missouri by offering friendship and community. Recently, the club updated its bylaws to welcome not just new residents but also longtime locals, men, retirees, and others seeking connection. With monthly games, luncheons, and social events, JAWC continues to evolve while maintaining its mission of building lasting friendships.

The seventh annual Big Bass Bash at Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees is set for May 22–23, drawing over 1,000 anglers from across the region and beyond. Open to both pros and amateurs, the event offers more than $180,000 in cash and prizes, including a $50,000 top prize and a drawing for a $40,000 Phoenix bass boat. With weigh-ins at Wolf Creek Park and Southwinds Marina, it’s a major fishing event and community attraction for Grove, Oklahoma.

Top professional anglers will compete at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in Grove, Oklahoma, for the 2021 Toyota Series Plains Division Qualifying Event from April 8-10. The winner earns a spot in the Toyota Series Championship with a chance to win $200,000 and other prizes, while the event showcases Grand Lake’s reputation as a premier bass fishing destination. Supported by local organizations, the tournament highlights the region’s appeal to anglers and visitors alike.

The Miami, Oklahoma Travel Information Center recently reopened after a renovation focused on creating a cleaner, more welcoming space with touchless features, an expanded gift shop, and new amenities like a dog park and picnic area. Managed by Shanda Schertz, the center aims to be a destination where visitors can get travel help, discover Oklahoma attractions, and enjoy a comfortable stop along Route 66. The center highlights local products and supports tourism in Northeast Oklahoma, which generates $330 million in visitor spending annually.

Be The Change – Grove, OK runs a weekly “Soup of the Week” curbside pickup program providing meals to those in need during the COVID-19 crisis. Volunteers and local businesses collaborate to prepare and distribute meals, helping families and vulnerable neighbors in the community. The program highlights the spirit of neighborly support and gratitude amid difficult times.

Joplin Schools quickly adapted to provide free curbside and bus-delivered meals to students and families during COVID-19 school closures, preparing around 30,000 meals weekly. Their nutrition staff, including 89 dedicated workers, organize meal pickups at multiple school locations and deliver to community bus stops and special education routes. The program ensures continued nourishment for kids while prioritizing safety and minimizing contact.

Founded on the vision of the late Brian Kavanagh, VetLinks.org connects post-9/11 veterans and their families with personalized resources for PTSD, TBI, and substance-use recovery. Led by Kirk and Becky Duncan, the nonprofit offers both traditional and non-traditional treatments, while emphasizing vital support for caregivers and children. Learn more or donate at www.vetlinks.org.

The 147th annual Quapaw Powwow, held July 4–7, celebrates rich Native American traditions through vibrant dances, colorful regalia, and community participation, welcoming all to join in the festivities. Attendees can enjoy competitions in various dance styles with significant cash prizes and even join in as spectators during special contests. Powwow Chairman Mike Shawnee and his committee emphasize honoring tribal heritage, hospitality, and inclusivity during this long-standing, family-friendly event.

The fourth annual Jensen L. Smith Basketball Tournament will take place June 1 at Carl Junction schools, honoring Jensen Smith, who died in a car accident in 2016. The event raises funds for Blackbox International, a nonprofit helping rescued boys from sex trafficking, with about $40,000 raised so far. Supported by donations and volunteers, the tournament features competitive and recreational teams, continuing Jensen’s legacy and love for basketball.