Magazine News

Former Marine and ER nurse Martha Youngblood partnered with hospital materials manager Chrissy Forrester in a four-year running journey that transformed Chrissy from 260 pounds to 90 pounds lighter while training for her first full marathon, demonstrating how accountability partners increase goal achievement by 85-95%. Together they created the Mercy Aurora Run To Care 5K to raise funds for patients' expenses, with Martha now serving as director of nursing and Chrissy as wellness coordinator, continuing their mutual support as they alternate between motivator and motivated depending on life circumstances.

Since 1978, Community Support Services has provided care for individuals with developmental disabilities across Jasper, Newton, and nine other Missouri counties through 300+ advocates who showed remarkable dedication during COVID-19. Despite serving medically fragile populations highly susceptible to the virus, staff members stepped up to care for COVID-positive individuals rather than requiring the activation of a special COVID team, demonstrating their family-like bonds with those they serve. The organization offers comprehensive services including residential care, behavioral services, The Early Learning Center, and partnerships with First Steps for early childhood development.

The Four States' annual pet contest raised funds for Joplin Humane Society and Faithful Friends in Neosho, with winners including DOG Blue (a mini-Australian shepherd whose puppies will become veteran service animals), Ruger Dale Battlecat (a 20-pound Maine Coon), Creed (a calm silver Weimaraner), and Facebook favorite Lucy (an energetic jogging Dalmatian). The contest celebrated beloved family pets while supporting local animal welfare organizations that help cats and dogs find forever homes.

The George A. Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin brought back in-person summer art camps in 2021 for the first time since March 2020, receiving full funding from two local charitable trusts (Jean H. Lemons Trust and W.R. Corley Memorial Trust) that reduced camp fees from $100 to just $5 per session. The six camps for ages 5-17 sold out within days of announcing the reduced fees, reenergizing both the staff and community while increasing overall traffic at the art center.

After deciding to pursue her "someday" goals, non-cyclist Shelly Dreyer completed the entire 240-mile Katy Trail solo from Clinton to St. Charles, Missouri, using basic equipment and learning bike repair from YouTube videos. Despite brutal 103-degree temperatures and having never ridden more than a few neighborhood miles before, she discovered that the journey itself—with days of solitude and self-reliance—was more rewarding than just the sense of accomplishment, gaining renewed confidence and love for biking.

Fifth-grade teacher and mother of three Caroline Capehart runs at 4-5 AM to balance her busy schedule and has qualified for the Boston Marathon annually since 2016, despite initially promising her husband she'd stop after her first Boston run. She created a popular school running program at Frank Layden Elementary where students collectively complete a marathon distance throughout the year, and during COVID-19, she turned her virtual Boston Marathon into the community-celebrated "SEK Lemonade Marathon" by running past all her students' houses with police escorts and neighborhood support.

Whitely reminds readers that Independence Day should honor military service members rather than just focus on festivities, while reflecting on the historical injustices done to Native Americans who respected nature and fought to protect their homeland from those who sought to destroy it. The piece concludes with "The Last Cast," a poignant story about a dying fisherman's final peaceful day on the water, connecting with family and finding gratitude before heading home for the last time.

Former US Marine Laura Wright turned to writing and painting as therapy after being diagnosed with PTSD following two tours in Iraq, creating the Brave Mee children's book series that explores anxiety and stress through a gender-neutral character and animal guides. Wright both authors and illustrates the books to help children cope with negative feelings while empowering them to focus on positive aspects of life, with her artwork also displayed at Art Forms Gallery in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Sixteen-year-old Dillon Leggett started playing guitar at age 12 and has become a well-known local musician performing across the Four States area, overcoming initial challenges of being underage in venues that serve alcohol. With strong support from his parents (who act as his crew and booking agents), mentorship from local musician Chris Bassett, and the broader music community, Dillon balances his musical career with being an honor student athlete who dreams of becoming a "singing orthodontist" while saving money from performances for college.