Mighty Mite Cheerleading sign-ups start Tuesday
Registration for the West Plains Optimist Club’s Mighty Mite Cheerleading will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St.
The cost is $40 per participant. Parents may access and print registration forms in advance by visiting wpoptimist.org/mm-cheerleading-2026.html.
Gospel music convention coming to West Plains
The International Country Gospel Music Association (ICGMA) will bring its 70th annual Convention and Award Show to West Plains from Thursday through July 18.
More than 100 singers and musicians from across the nation are expected to perform during the three-day event, hosted at The Bridge Church, 10105 South U.S. 63. Daily showcases run from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with evening performances beginning at 6 p.m. Each night features a mix of country, bluegrass and southern gospel music.
The convention highlights include the Gold Cross Awards Show and ICGMA Hall of Fame inductions on Saturday evening, recognizing excellence across 26 musical categories. Featured performers include internationally known artists Barbara Fairchild and Roy Morris, the group White River, Chris Golden, and ICGMA President Dan Duncan, alongside new artists from two Nashville record labels.
According to Duncan, the entire event is free to the public, and attendees can meet performers at individual artist booths. For more information, call Duncan at 417-372-1129.
Artfully Aging session Thursday at WP Senior Center
The West Plains Senior Center, 416 E. Main St., will host "Artfully Aging," a free afternoon of hands-on creativity and social connection, from 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday.
Sponsored by the West Plains Council on the Arts, the Howell County Health Department and the Senior Center, the event invites area adults age 50 and older to learn new skills from local artists. Attendees can rotate among various creative stations while enjoying refreshments and fellowship.
Featured activities and demonstrations include storytelling with Danette House, origami with Yumi Jolliff, greeting cards with Paola Rogers, bookmaking with Busy Hands Stitchers, glass etching with Delores Winkler and portrait sketching with Lonnie Meuser. Musical demonstrations will also be provided by Rocky Long and Fawn Cockrum on lap dulcimers.
The program is free, and all skill levels are welcome. For more information, contact Kathleen Morrissey with the arts council at info@westplainsarts.org or the health department at 417-256-7078.
