Know of an event not listed here? Email submissions by noon Fridays to news@wpdailyquill.net with “CALENDAR” in the subject line. Three sentence maximum must include event description, date, time, location, cost and source for more information. Weekly events will be printed for no more than a month at a time unless renewed by the host. Call the Quill, 417-256-9191 with questions. Unless otherwise noted, events are in West Plains.
Through Oct. 19: The West Plains Council on the Arts presents an exhibit by Barbara Williams, “Ozarks Buildings: Cultural Heritage and Containers of Spirit,” viewable during business hours on the mezzanine at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St.
Through Nov. 5 (noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays) The Howell County Democratic Party Election Headquarters is open at 41 Court Square.
Through Dec. 31 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays) Paintings by Lee Copen will be on display on the first floor of OzSBI, 408 Washington Ave.
Through December 31 (9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays) Photography and artwork by Kelli Albin will be on display at the West Plains Public Library.
Oct. 2 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) The Howell County Health Department will host a satellite flu shot clinic at United Methodist Church, 311 N. Harris St. in Willow Springs. Download a flu consent form from www.howellcountyhealth.com and bring it, completed and signed, to the clinic. Print and read the Influenza Vaccine Information Statement available online at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/flu.pdf. If insured, privately or through Medicaid and/or Medicare, bring a current insurance card. For more information call Katey Seiber, 417-256-7078.
Oct. 2 (10 a.m.) An Elements of End-of-Life Planning workshop will be presented, courtesy of Three Rivers Hospice, by bereavement coordinator David Ball and social worker Brandi Marshall at the West Plains Public Library, 750 W. Broadway. Topics will include durable power of attorneys and advanced directives; wills, trusts and estate planning; final arrangements; and long-term and hospice care and coverage. Free resources and booklets will be available.
Oct. 3 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Ozark Independent Living will hold a member mixer in which all are invited to drop by 109 Aid Ave. and see O.I.L.’s new durable medical equipment program. To donate or for more information, call 417-257-0038, visit www.ozarkcil.com or email info@ozarkcil.com.
Oct. 4 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) The Howell County Health Department, 180 Kentucky Ave., will host a drive-thru flu shot clinic for ages 10 and older. Download a flu consent form from www.howellcountyhealth.com and bring it, completed and signed, to the clinic. Print and read the Influenza Vaccine Information Statement available online at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/flu.pdf. If insured, privately or through Medicaid and/or Medicare, bring a current insurance card, and preregister at patients.vaxcare.com/registration, entering enrollment code MO16830 when prompted; selected 10/4/2024 Howell County Health Dept. Drive Thru Flu. For more information call Katey Seiber, 417-256-7078.
Oct. 4 (10 a.m.) The Spring River Gem and Mineral Club will meet at Thunderbird Center, 62 N. Lakeshore Road, Cherokee Village, Ark. Mike Hanley, director of exploration for TERRA Intel, will present a program, Critical Mineral Resources Exploration. Club members and guests are invited to a Dutch-treat lunch with Hanley at an area restaurant following the meeting.
Oct. 4 (11:30 a.m.) All community members are invited to the annual state of Missouri State University address at Hass-Darr Hall on the MSU-West Plains campus. MSU President Richard “Biff” Williams and MSU-WP Chancellor Dean Lancaster will give presentations highlighting enrollment, budget and growth in coming years. The event has been rescheduled from its original Oct. 3 date.Call 417-255-7960 for more information.
Oct. 4 (3-4 p.m.) A meet-the-artist event will be held for Kelli Albin at the West Plains Public Library, 750 W. Broadway. The public is invited to attend, meet Albin, and view and discuss her artwork and photography on display.
Oct. 4 (5-7 p.m.) The Willow Springs and Eleven Point fire departments will hold their annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Fill the Boot Drive at the four-way stop in downtown Willow Springs and the three-way stop by Love’s Travel Stop in Willow Springs. Funds raised will go toward the MDA.
Oct. 4 (6 p.m.) The Avenue Theatre, 307 Washington Ave., will host karaoke.
Oct. 5 (7:30 a.m.) On-site registration begins for the annual Pedal the Cause fundraiser bike ride to support cancer research. Ride begins at 8 a.m. at West Plains High School and is expected to finish between 9:15-9:30 a.m. Spin bikes are available. Helmets required to participate. Prizes will be available and medals will be given to first 200 participants. Sign up in advance at www.givesignup.org/Race/MO/WestPlains/WestPlainsRidesforPedaltheCause.
Oct. 5 (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) The annual Friends of the Paul Weaver Library will be held in the lobby of the John E. Miller Education Complex on the Ozarka College campus in Melbourne, Ark. Books on a variety of topics will be available. No prices will be set; books will be sold by donation to raise funds for student scholarships. For information call librarian Dan Lindsey, 870-368-2054.
Oct. 5 (9 a.m.) The Current River Challenge, which includes two 4-mile guided hikes and a 4-mile float, will begin at Carr’s Canoe Rental Store, 32511 Highway 19 in Eminence. Park behind the store. Hikers will make their way from Round Spring to Echo Bluff State Park. The second hike will begin at 11 a.m. at Echo Bluff State Park and end at Current River State Park, from where participants will float at 1:30 p.m. back to Round Spring. Shuttles will be available for those who only want to do part of the challenge; those participating in all three are encouraged to bring a lunch.
Oct. 5 (9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) A dementia resource event will be held at First Baptist Church, 202 Walnut St. The free event includes breakout sessions with elder law attorneys, Alzheimer’s Association representatives, a neurologist, hospice providers and a dementia coach and author. Prize drawings will be held, and free breakfast will be served. Free resources will be available and participants will have time to speak with experts in the field. Email jillpietroburgo@gmail.com for more information.
Oct. 5 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.): The Bear City Fall Festival will take place in downtown Willow Springs.
Oct. 5 (10-2 p.m.) Chapter 1218 of the Experimental Aircraft Association will host an open house at its hangar, 810 Bryan Street, Willow Springs. All are welcome to drop in, see the variety of aircraft on display and visit with area pilots. Light refreshments will be served, and Young Eagle rides will be given, weather permitting.
Oct. 5 (2-7 p.m.) A one-day basketball camp for boys and girls in seventh through 12th grades will be held as a fundraiser for Lady Zizzer Basketball. The cost is $120 per player and campers will receive a one-month subscription to OtterBasketball’s virtual training and a camp T-shirt. Register at www.otterbasketball.com or call 866-357-2966 for more information.
Oct. 5 (6-11 p.m.) The Blue Jean Ball fundraiser for Ozarks Healthcare Foundation returns for its 12th year. It will be held at Silver Springs Ranch, 6860 Private Road 8900. Music will be provided by a deejay and the Ben Oesch Band, and live and silent auctions will be led by Billy Sexton. Also included are a cake walk, dance floor, mechanical bull, permanent jewelry from Links by Leyla and a hat bar from Trendy Southwest Hippy. Tickets are $75 in advance or $100 at the door and may be purchased online at www.ozarkshealthcare.com/BJBTickets. Each ticket includes dinner, two adult beverages and unlimited nonalcoholic drinks; additional adult beverages will be available for purchase at a cash bar. To sponsor or purchase tickets, people may also call 417-853-5200 or stop by the foundation office at 12 Parkway Center, 1211 Porter Wagoner Blvd.
Oct. 6: Ozark National Scenic Riverways hosts a series of free one-day workshops about the basics of fly fishing for youth between 12 and 18 years old at the Mt. Zion Church north of Akers. Reservations are required as space is limited to 10 youths with at least one parent for each. Contact 573-858-3297 for more information and to register.
Oct. 6 (2-6 p.m.) A basic training basketball camp for girls and boys in third through sixth grades will be hosted by Lady Zizzer Basketball as a fundraiser. Cost is $100 per player and campers will receive a one-month subscription to OtterBasketball’s virtual training and a camp T-shirt. Register at www.otterbasketball.com or call 866-357-2966 for more information.
Oct. 7 (2:30 p.m.) MSU-WP’s new jazz band will give its first performance in the Commons area between Hass-Darr and Melton Halls off Garfield Avenue. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to First United Methodist Church Life Center. The show is free, but donations will be accepted. Bring a lawn chair. For more information email rockylong@missouristate.edu or call 417-255-7291.
Oct. 7 (6:30 p.m.) The public is invited to attend the debut performance of the MSU-WP University/Community Band in the commons area between Hass-Darr and Melton Halls off Garfield Avenue. In case of inclement weather, the concert will move to the nearby First United Methodist Church Life Center. The show is free, but donations will be accepted. Bring a lawn chair. For more information email rockylong@missouristate.edu or call 417-255-7291.
Oct. 8 and Nov. 5: The Howell County Amateur Radio Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 180 Kentucky Ave. in the basement of the Howell County Health Department. Anyone interested in amateur or emergency radio communications is welcome. For more information call 417-372-8799 or visit @w0hca on Facebook.
Oct. 8 (6-8 p.m.) Ozarks Healthcare offer single-session Heart Saver Infant CPR classes recommended for new parents in the third semester of pregnancy up to a year after birth. Covered are basic resuscitation skills for use on an infant. Classes are held in the Women’s Center Education Room, 1100 Kentucky Ave. No charge for those planning to deliver at OZH; for those planning to deliver elsewhere, there is a one-time $75 charge to attend one or all new parent classes offered.
Oct. 9 (7:30-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.) The Howell County Health Department, 180 Kentucky Ave., will host a pediatric flu shot clinic. Download a flu consent form from www.howellcountyhealth.com and bring it, completed and signed, to the clinic. Print and read the Influenza Vaccine Information Statement available online at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/flu.pdf. If insured, privately or through Medicaid and/or Medicare, bring a current insurance card. For more information call Katey Seiber, 417-256-7078.
Oct. 9 (6 p.m.) The monthly meeting of the Civil War Round Table of the Ozarks will be held at the Library Center Auditorium, 4653 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Mike Calvert will present, “The Second Battle of Independence, Missouri, Oct. 22, 1864.”
Oct. 10 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) OzSBI, 408 Washington Ave., will host a workshop, Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, presented by leadership development coach and trainer Kim Worlow. Cost is $175 for OzSBI members and $220 for nonmembers.
Oct. 10-11: Baxter Health and KTLO Classic Hits and The Boot will hold their 43rd annual Health Fair and Expo. On Oct. 10, the event will be held at The Sheid on the Arkansas State University-Mtn. Home, Ark., campus, and on Oct. 11, it will be held at the Durand Center in Harrison.
Oct. 10 (6-8 p.m.) Ozarks Healthcare offer single-session New Parent Skills classes recommended for parents in the third semester of pregnancy. Covered are self-care, baby care, infant bathing, safety, immunizations and circumcision. Classes are held in the Women’s Center Education Room, 1100 Kentucky Ave. No charge for those planning to deliver at OZH; for those planning to deliver elsewhere, there is a one-time $75 charge to attend one or all new parent classes offered.
Oct. 11 (noon to 1 p.m.) MSU-WP’s residence life program will be the topic of the Friends of the Garnett Library meeting at the Grizzly Bite inside the J.W. Phillips Grizzly Lofts, 665 Missouri Ave. The cost of lunch is $10, payable at the door. Those wishing to eat should reserve a spat by Oct. 9 by calling 417-255-7940 or emailing friendsofgarnettlibrary@missouristate.edu.
Oct. 11 (4-6 p.m.) West Plains Pride will host a potluck and meet-and-greet at People’s Park on West Broadway in celebration of National Coming Out Day. All LGBTQIA+ community members and allies are welcome.
Oct. 12 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) The 56th annual Scenic Riverways Arts & Crafts Show and Sale featuring artisan Ozarks crafts, food trucks, concessions and live music will be held at the Eminence Old Ball Park on Just T. Chilton Memorial Landing, east Highway 106 in Eminence. Handcrafted, Ozarks-made items available will include wood carvings, quilts, rugs, jewelry, ceramics, metal art, furniture, weaving, candles, barn quilts and paintings. Follow @ScenicRiverwaysArts&CraftsShowAndSale on Facebook, or call 417-247-1228 or 573-351-8588 for more information.
Oct. 12-13 (9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) Always a Future for Kids will host OzFaire, a charity Renaissance festival to raise funds for children who are neglected, abused or in the foster care system. Held at HOBA Bluegrass Park, 1138 Bluegrass Lane, tickets are $10 for ages 13 and older per day, $5 for ages 8 to 12 and free for children younger than 8 accompanied by an adult. Vendor applications are being taken. Find details at ozfaire.com.
Oct. 12 (10 a.m.) St. Paul Lutheran Church, 291 N. Kentucky Ave., will hold its annual Blessing of the Animals. Photo certificates are available. All pets to be blessed must be leashed or caged.
Oct. 12 (2-7 p.m.) Piney River Brewing’s annual celebration of fall, Fall on the Farm, will be held at the BARn brewery and taproom off Junction ZZ in Bucyrus, with featured beers, live music and German food. The Shortleaf Band will play at 2, followed at 4:30 by Casey Lynne and the Dealbreakers.
Oct. 15 (6-8 p.m.) Ozarks Healthcare offer single-session Preparing for Breastfeeding classes recommended for expectant mothers. Classes are held in the Women’s Center Education Room, 1100 Kentucky Ave. No charge for those planning to deliver at OZH; for those planning to deliver elsewhere, there is a one-time $75 charge to attend one or all new parent classes offered.
Oct. 15 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) The West Plains Council on the Arts will host an amigurumi crochet workshop led by Tara Shahan in the West Plains Civic Center Dogwood Rooms 1 and 2, 110 St. Louis St. The cost is $35 to attend and includes all supplies. Learn to crochet a small stuffed plushy creature. Space is limited. Reserve a spot by searching for “Amigurumi Crochet/Mabel Chicken Workshop” on Eventbrite or Facebook and RSVPing there, texting Paula at 417-293-2325 or emailing info@westplainsarts.org.
Oct. 17 (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) A walk-in flu shot clinic will be held at the West Plains VA Clinic, 1801 E. K Highway. Veterans seeking immunizations should bring their VA health care ID card.
Oct. 19 (3 p.m. to midnight) The Avenue Theater, 315 Washington Ave., will host a Halloween Movie Marathon on its silver screen. Armbands for viewing are $15 and classic horror movies to be shown are Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Wasp Woman, Carnival of Souls, Night of the Living Dead, The Fly, House on Haunted Hill, The Bride of Frankenstein and House of Wax.
Oct. 19 (10 a.m.) A Klepzig Mill hiking excursion will take hikers on 3 miles of beautiful, relatively flat trail in the Rocky Creek area. Meet in the Rocky Falls parking area to take the free shuttle to the mill, and hike back to Rocky Falls. Bring waterproof boots for shallow water crossings.
Oct. 19 (10 a.m.) Gates open for ShenanigansFest, an all-day music festival at the Hanger, 808 Ozark County Road 352-A in Caulfield, near Sunburst Ranch, just past Patrick Bridge. Music begins at 11 a.m. and features eight bands from Nashville, Tenn., Virginia, and Tulsa, Okla., as well as local performers. Food truck, a kids area and a beer garden will also be available. Presale tickets are $45 for ages 12 and older at www.eventbrite.com/e/shenanigansfest-2024-tickets-1004506976407. For information, including a Spotify playlist of the scheduled performers, follow @shenaniganswpmo on Facebook or visit linktr.ee/shenanigans_mo.
Oct. 22 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) The Howell County Health Department will host a satellite flu shot clinic at the Christian Church, 1505 Highway 17 in Mtn. View. Download a flu consent form from www.howellcountyhealth.com and bring it, completed and signed, to the clinic. Print and read the Influenza Vaccine Information Statement available online at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/flu.pdf. If insured, privately or through Medicaid and/or Medicare, bring a current insurance card. For more information call Katey Seiber, 417-256-7078.
Oct. 23 (3-6 p.m.) The Howell County WIC Program will host Trike or Treat at Carmichal Field on First Street with a costume parade, door prizes and food.
Oct. 26 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) The Yellow House Community Arts Center, 209 W. Trish Knight St., will host Josiah Howell-O-Ween Day, a festival honoring the founding family of Howell County with vendors, music, costume and pumpkin-decorating contests, carnival style games and other family-fun activities around the Yellow House and on parts of Langston and Trish Knight streets. Vendor registrations are now being taken with forms available for pickup from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. weekdays at the Yellow House or 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays at the Ozark Heritage Welcome Center, 2999 Porter Wagoner Blvd, or email terry.hampton@westplains.gov to request a digital copy. Admission is free, but as the event is a fundraiser for the Yellow House, some activities will have a cost, and donations are welcome. Sponsorships available. Text Terry Hampton, 417-372-2055 for more information.
Oct. 26 (1-4 p.m.) Hammond Mill Camp, 15 miles west of West Plains on CC Highway, will host a Zizzer gathering for all classes and graduation years to enjoy recent improvements at an “unknown jewel” of the Ozarks. No charge for admission. Cold water will be provided and all are welcome to bring snacks or food and a lawn chair. An opportunity to contribute in honor of deceased classmates will be available at the event, or send a donation by check in the mail along with the classmate’s name to Hammond Mill Camp, Inc., C/O Classmates, 139 Hammond Mill Drive, Pottersville, Mo, 65790, or go online to PayPal.me/HMCamp65790. A later event will be planned to recognize those so honored.
Oct. 26 (6 p.m.) A short Halloween hike through the hills near Alley Spring, Spider Night Hike, is recommended for children. It is a 1/4-mile hike on the Alley Overlook Trail above the mill.
Oct. 29-31: The MU Extension will teach a three-day Cattle Artificial Insemination School in conjunction with the Joplin Regional Stockayards at FCS Financial, 108 N. Prosperity Ave. in Joplin. Cost of the class is $525. Class size is limited to 12 students with first-paid, first-served enrollment. Call the Howell County Extension at 417-256-2391 or visit extension.missouri.edu/events/cattle-artificial-insemination-school-october-2024 to register.
Oct. 30 (2-4 p.m.) A meet-the-artist event for Lee Copen will be held in the lobby of OzSBI, 408 Washington Ave. The public is invited to attend, meet Copen and view her paintings on display.
Oct. 31: The Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce will host Trunk or Treat. Details to be announced.
Nov. 7 (11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.) OzSBI, 408 Washington Ave., will host a Business Women First Luncheon sponsored by Community First Banking Company. “SOULutions for Stress,” presented by leadership development coach and trainer Kim Worlow, will focus on identifying and replacing limiting beliefs about stress, learning new ways to interpret stress and how to influence stress and get it working for you instead of against you. Cost is $20.
Nov. 9 (8 a.m.) Ozarks Healthcare offer single-session Prepared Childbirth classes recommended for parents in the second semester of pregnancy. Covered are breathing techniques, relaxation methods, support strategies and insights into labor, delivery and C-sections. Classes are held in the Women’s Center Education Room, 1100 Kentucky Ave. No charge for those planning to deliver at OZH; for those planning to deliver elsewhere, there is a one-time $75 charge to attend one or all new parent classes offered.
Nov. 9 (10 a.m.) A hike to Stegall Mountain will be hosted by the Ozarks National Scenic Riverways and Missouri State Parks for veterans. It will begin with a brief flag ceremony at Rocky Falls, then embark on the Ozark Trail for a 5-mile out-and-back hike up Stegall Mountain.
Nov. 12 (6-8 p.m.) Ozarks Healthcare offer single-session Preparing for Breastfeeding classes recommended for expectant mothers. Classes are held in the Women’s Center Education Room, 1100 Kentucky Ave. No charge for those planning to deliver at OZH; for those planning to deliver elsewhere, there is a one-time $75 charge to attend one or all new parent classes offered.
Nov. 18-25: Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection will be underway at area churches. Year-round volunteer opportunities are available. Visit samaritanspurse.org/occ or call 816-622-8316 to learn more.
Nov. 19 (6-8 p.m.) Ozarks Healthcare offer single-session Heart Saver Infant CPR classes recommended for new parents in the third semester of pregnancy up to a year after birth. Covered are basic resuscitation skills for use on an infant. Classes are held in the Women’s Center Education Room, 1100 Kentucky Ave. No charge for those planning to deliver at OZH; for those planning to deliver elsewhere, there is a one-time $75 charge to attend one or all new parent classes offered.
Dec. 7: The Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce will host Pancakes with Santa and a slew of other Downtown Holli-Day events, concluding with a lighted Christmas parade. Details to be announced.
Dec. 7 (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) and 8 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) The annual West Plains Optimist Club Holiday Season Arts & Crafts Show and Sale will be held at the civic center. Admission is $3 per day for ages 15 and older. Children 14 and younger are admitted free with an adult. Prospective exhibitors may request a reservation by Nov. 1 by emailing wpoptimistartsandcraftsshow@gmail.com, calling Amy Ross at 417-255-6091 or Marc Hubbell at 417-293-3404, or sending a letter to West Plains Optimist Club, P.O. Box 873, West Plains, MO 65775.
Dec. 10 (8-11 a.m.) Ozarks Healthcare will offer low-cost lab screenings including those for blood sugar levels, cholesterol, thyroid function, calcium levels, diabetes, prostate cancer and vitamin D levels. The cost per screening ranges from between $15 to $35, cash or check only. Visit the Alton, Gainesville, Mtn. Grove, Mtn. View, Thayer or Winona clinics, or the West Plains walk-in clinic at 181 Kentucky Ave., or OZH Lab Services at 1100 Kentucky Ave.
Dec. 10 (6-8 p.m.) Ozarks Healthcare offer single-session Heart Saver Infant CPR classes recommended for new parents in the third semester of pregnancy up to a year after birth. Covered are basic resuscitation skills for use on an infant. Classes are held in the Women’s Center Education Room, 1100 Kentucky Ave. No charge for those planning to deliver at OZH; for those planning to deliver elsewhere, there is a one-time $75 charge to attend one or all new parent classes offered.
Dec. 12 (6-8 p.m.) Ozarks Healthcare offer single-session New Parent Skills classes recommended for parents in the third semester of pregnancy. Covered are self-care, baby care, infant bathing, safety, immunizations and circumcision. Classes are held in the Women’s Center Education Room, 1100 Kentucky Ave. No charge for those planning to deliver at OZH; for those planning to deliver elsewhere, there is a one-time $75 charge to attend one or all new parent classes offered.
Dec. 17 (6-8 p.m.) Ozarks Healthcare offer single-session Preparing for Breastfeeding classes recommended for expectant mothers. Classes are held in the Women’s Center Education Room, 1100 Kentucky Ave. No charge for those planning to deliver at OZH; for those planning to deliver elsewhere, there is a one-time $75 charge to attend one or all new parent classes offered.