It’s time for our 11th Annual Princess Tea Party Story Time this Saturday, January 20th @ 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. This is our favorite activity of the year, and we are SO excited to host it again! Everyone is invited to come and have a good time with us. Pinky out! more

Several employees at Jasper Engines and Transmissions in Willow Springs and Arlee Home Fashions in West Plains recently completed U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship programs at Missouri State University-West Plains, the area sponsor for DOL registered apprenticeship programs. more

I’ve come across the word “anachronism” often in reading, but I was never exactly sure what it meant. Context usually hinted it was something out of place, but I wanted to be sure; so, as a last resort I looked it up in the dictionary. more

You have arrived in the Ozarks of Missouri. Traveling for months with your spouse and three children, you have found the people you had heard of- the Hawkins’ family. This multigenerational Tennessee family had settled in 1837 on a border that was so undefined that they weren’t sure if they were in Missouri or Arkansas. It depended on who you asked. more

Ah, West Plains, our cozy corner of the world, where the hint of snowflakes in the air sends a flutter of excitement and a bit of panic through the streets. This week, Old Man Winter decided to stop by unannounced, leaving a mere 1-2 inches of snow on our doorsteps. You’d think he’d dropped a blanket of chaos instead of snowflakes! more

The significance of a nutritious diet as a fundamental component of a healthy lifestyle cannot be overstated, particularly for seniors. The right dietary choices play a crucial role in treating a multitude of health issues prevalent in the elderly. Adjusting one's diet, especially when experiencing symptoms like sluggishness, can be a transformative approach for seniors. A balanced diet, as recommended by experts such as WebMD, not only addresses the basic nutritional needs but also serves as a natural enhancer of energy levels. more

This Saturday looks to be cool but sunny and we’ll be back at the market for you. To warm you up Jeff Two-Hawks will have Carnitas, Cajun Dirty Rice, Sausage/Chicken Gumbo and 9” Cajun Meat Pies, always a crowd pleaser! To keep you healthy and well we will also have Elderberry Tonic, ginger shots, honey, kombucha, fermented foods, canned foods, sauces including hot sauces, pickles, Dim Sum, pot stickers, meats, jams, syrups, baked goods, microgreens, apples, potatoes, bread, Artisan Crafters and more. more

What is it about being cooped in the house due to the weather being unbearable that makes me want to bake, and I'm craving bread?  While still watching my carbs, even harder after the holidays, the body needs fuel in these frigid temperatures, especially if you have chickens to keep alive. I've found a tasty, low-carb recipe for all bread lovers without the guilt.  Similar to garlic bread, this recipe is so easy to make and it's quick plus you can double the recipe for the family. Regardless if you're watching your carbs or not, try this garlic bread, or what I'm calling flat bread.  I might even use it as a pizza crust!  Now the snow is starting to fall and that only means another trip to the coop to make sure their water isn't frozen, then I'll bake! Think spring foodies! more

Hey there, food lovers, and welcome back to my kitchen. Are you ready to take a traditional comfort food and spin it into something extraordinary? Today, we're tackling a classic - meatloaf and mashed potatoes - and giving it a gourmet makeover that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Let's dive into a recipe that's fun, a bit adventurous, and oh-so-delicious! more

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites turkey hunters, landowners and managers, and others interested in Missouri’s wild turkeys and turkey hunting to its “MDC Wild Webcast on Talkin’ Turkey” on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at noon.   more

Ozarks Healthcare has announced the 2024 schedule for its comprehensive series of prenatal classes for expectant parents, to be held in the Women’s Center Education Room on the hospital’s main campus, 1100 Kentucky Ave. in West Plains. more

Baxter Health in Mtn. Home, Ark., announced it is offering a 15% discount on all hospital accounts if outstanding balances are paid in full before April 30. This offer applies to all patients and employees of the hospital and will be applied automatically upon payment, said officials. more

The West Plains Council on the Arts will host a “Starting with Watercolor” workshop by area artist Lee Copen from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. in the Walnut Room at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. more

Arts Alliance member events and activities:  more

Tools that may help laypersons start a conversation about suicide and mental health with someone who is in crisis are available at no cost through the QPR evidence-based suicide prevention/intervention training offered by AgriSafe online or in person in their QPR training program at www.agrisafe.org/courses/qpr. more

A lifetime of moments, framed in the blink of a shutter, graces the walls of the Ozarks Small Business Incubator, 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. more

Get ready to witness the celestial event of the decade in West Plains. From April 5 to 8, the town will be abuzz with the "Party in the Path" festival, celebrating the highly anticipated total solar eclipse. This isn't just any ordinary gathering; it's a four-day extravaganza packed with thrilling concerts, vibrant parades, a spirited 5k run, and an array of food trucks offering delicious treats. Each day brings a new adventure, with music that'll make your heart sing, activities that'll pump up your adrenaline, and culinary delights to tantalize your taste buds. Mark your calendars for a festival that promises to be as spectacular as the eclipse itself. West Plains is the place to be for an unforgettable experience where the sky is not the limit but the beginning. more

I recently finished, Before We Were Yours, a fascinating novel by Lisa Wingate. Her book tells the story of families severely traumatized by social worker, Georgia Tann. She was widely respected in Memphis until it eventually became obvious she was mistreating children. Tann was at the center of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society scandal of 1950. Though the specific families’ stories Wingate told are fictional they are representative of Tann’s victims. more

Many of us pray each day for healing….for ourselves, our loved ones, and for people around the world. We pray for the healing of bodies, hearts, minds, and relationships. The gospels record many instances of Jesus healing people. “And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.” (Matthew 4:23) The Old Testament describes God’s healing presence. Psalm 147:3 reads, “God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Our God heals, and we are invited to pray trusting that healing will come. It may not occur the way we expected, and it may not happen as quickly as we would like, yet healing will come. I have never forgotten what a wise pastor told me years ago. He said that death is the final healing. Ultimately our Lord will heal us, and we will be made whole. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. more