All our vendors, which are your local farmers/ranchers/bakers/Artisan Crafters, say a BIG thank you for all your support! We appreciate you all!! more

We've gotten past our annual blackberry winter so no better time than to make a blackberry pie to celebrate! I did just that the other night, I had just enough blackberries in the freezer for one, and boy it was good.  In case you are new to our part of the country and have no idea what I'm talking about, blackberry winter is a cold snap in late spring when the blackberries are in bloom and it was right on time this year. Now, I don't need a excuse to make a pie but this one was fitting, plus I freed up space in my freezer.  more

Baxter Health and KTLO Classic Hits 97.9 and The Boot 101.7 have announced the 43rd annual Health Fair and Expo will take place in October, moved from its usual April date out of consideration for several factors including the proximity of the original date to the April 8 total solar eclipse. more

Baxter Health in Mtn. Home, Ark., recently welcomed board-certified vascular surgeon Dr. Heath J. Broussard to its medical staff. He has joined the Baxter Health Heart and Vascular Clinic and the practice of Drs. F. Michael Bauer, James Munns and Kent Nachtigal, and nurse practitioners Emily Brown and Kathy Prinner.  more

Hello fellow food lovers and welcome back to my kitchen. Today, we embark on a thrilling journey to craft the ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Quesadilla. This dish combines the creamy, dreamy delight of cheesecake with the crisp, comforting embrace of a quesadilla, all while starring the sweet and luscious strawberry. Perfect for brunch, dessert, or anytime you crave a slice of something extraordinary, this recipe is not just a treat—it's an experience. more

Below are several upcoming events at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP), many of which are open to the community. Feel free to clip this calendar and keep it for your reference to make sure you don’t miss any events that might interest you. Also listed are several important dates on the university’s calendar that area residents might want to keep in mind.  more

You have been man and wife for some seven years now. You have been blessed with four children, one of whom died in infancy. Since leaving your parents, and your brothers’ and sisters’ families in Tennessee, you have been alone. You have only each other to rely on. The responsibility of taking care of and providing for every need a small family of five could have weighs heavily on both of you. “Are we doing the right thing?” is a question that has been unspoken, but heavy during each of the many miles since your journey began. more

Area educators interested in learning how to hone their teaching skills or prepare for leadership roles among their peers are encouraged to enroll in two new degrees being offered locally by Missouri State University’s Outreach office on the Missouri State University-West Plains campus. more

In the intricate world of agriculture and gardening, the health of plants is deeply intertwined with the quality of the soil in which they are planted. While some plants exhibit remarkable resilience, thriving under various conditions, many are sensitive to their environmental substrate. Among the various types of soil-related challenges that gardeners and farmers may face, sodic soil stands out as a particularly problematic issue due to its unique chemical composition and physical properties. more

I took my grandson to the library for the first time last Friday. J enjoys being read to, so I hoped he would eagerly pick out books. He was more interested in playing with toys in the children's room, so I allowed him to play for 20 minutes before I picked out four books for us to read later. more

Today we have GPS to tell us the way to a location. Fill in your starting point and your destination, and the way is described for you in words and a graphic. To find our way geographically, we need specific directions, like…take this street, turn left at the park, etc. To find our way in life, we need God’s guidance. In Psalm 86:11 we read, “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.” In John 14:6, Jesus told his disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” He asked them to follow him, to follow his teachings and way of life. Jesus taught them God’s way. Did you realize that one of the earliest names for Christians was people of the Way? (See Acts 9:2 and 24:14). Our faith is not primarily a set of beliefs but a way of life that reflects all that Jesus has shown us. May others recognize that we too are people of Christ’s way. God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

Recently, as part of ongoing discipleship with one of the groups I help lead, we have read through the epistle of Paul to the Philippians. more

In the sweeping expanse of Christian history, marked by schisms, reforms, and continuous adaptation, a disconcerting trend casts a long, chilling shadow over its contemporary landscape. This trend, which is not new but has been magnified in the glaring light of social media, involves labeling various aspects of culture—books, music, and public figures—as "satanic." What is profoundly troubling is not just the act of labeling itself, but the willful ignorance that fuels it, an ignorance embraced and perpetuated by many who have not bothered to investigate the truth of their claims. more

Missouri State Parks officials are asking for public input regarding the future development and considerations to be made for the Eleven Point State Park in Oregon County. more

This week, the Quill learned of a possible scam related to the results of the recent 2023 Best of West Plains contest, published in the March 30 issue of the Quill’s West Plains Gazette. more

Mark Twain National Forest officials are sharing with the local community a grant opportunity that is being offered at a national level. more

Ozarks Healthcare officials have announced the return of its M*A*S*H (Medical Academy of Science and Health) Camp this summer. Designed for area students with an interest in healthcare careers, the camp offers a unique hands-on experience to explore various medical specialties and learn from seasoned professionals, said officials. more

On March 2 a structure fire was reported at a home on Amyx Street, with a handicapped man located at the back door but unable to get out. West Plains Assistant Fire Chief Chris Sterner and Police Chief Stephen Monticelli presented the awards. West Plains Police Lt. Brandon Stephens arrived on the scene and was able to pull the man onto the porch from the doorway amid heavy fire and smoke, and oxygen tanks exploding inside the house. Fire Lt. Wayne Cormier then arrived and together they were able to pick up and move the victim to safety. more