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Jan
9
Fri
Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display entries dates @ Harlin Museum
Jan 9 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

Entry Information: Quilts and their accompanying stories may be entered January 8-11, 2026, from noon to 4 p.m. Arrangements can be made for early drop-off if needed. There is no fee to display quilts, though donations are always welcome and appreciated to support the museum’s programs.

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026.

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Jan
10
Sat
GO FARM Farmers Market of West Plains @ Endurance Church Parking Lot
Jan 10 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Open every Saturday 9 a.m. t0 1 p.m. and on Wednesdays, seasonally. GO FARM Farmers Market of West Plains on Facebook for more information.

Southern Missouri Card Show @ West Plains Civic Center Exhibit Hall
Jan 10 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
From organizers: Come out and see us at the West Plains Civic Center from 9am-4pm on January 10th! Bring your sports and TCG cards to buy, sell, and trade at any of our 80 tables! We will also have our friends over at Cosmic Cravings set up right outside the venue for all of your food and drink needs. Lastly, if you are interested in setting up at our show feel free to send us a message at Southern MO Card Show.

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display entries dates @ Harlin Museum
Jan 10 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

Entry Information: Quilts and their accompanying stories may be entered January 8-11, 2026, from noon to 4 p.m. Arrangements can be made for early drop-off if needed. There is no fee to display quilts, though donations are always welcome and appreciated to support the museum’s programs.

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026.

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Weekly Dance with live music by Country Express Band @ West Plains Senior Center
Jan 10 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Check the Country Express Band Facebook page for cost and other details, including potential cancellations due to weather, holidays or other unforeseen circumstances.

From Country Express: Two step, Cha Cha, Waltz, Electric Slide, Charleston, Foot Boogie, River Waltz, Sweetheart, Around the Room, Tennessee Waltz, Neon Moon Cha Cha, and many more. Or just come listen to some good ole country music. Old country, new country, southern rock music. No alcohol allowed. Family fun for all ages.

 

Live Music ~ Johnny Mace @ Country Nights
Jan 10 @ 7:30 pm
Jan
11
Sun
Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display entries dates @ Harlin Museum
Jan 11 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

Entry Information: Quilts and their accompanying stories may be entered January 8-11, 2026, from noon to 4 p.m. Arrangements can be made for early drop-off if needed. There is no fee to display quilts, though donations are always welcome and appreciated to support the museum’s programs.

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026.

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Jan
12
Mon
Auditions ~ Gilligan’s Island the Musical @ The Avenue Theatre
Jan 12 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

From organizers: GET SHIPWRECKED ON STAGE!
Now Casting: Gilligan’s Island The Musical. All iconic roles open!
Do you have what it takes? Sign up below.
https://m.signupgenius.com/…

Audition date: January 12, 6:00-8PM
Rehearsals start February 2nd
Show dates: March 13-22 weekends only
West Plains Photography Club
Jan 12 @ 6:30 pm

The West Plains Photography Club currently has 34 members and meetings are at 6:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month in the Missouri State University-West Plains Creative Discovery Center, 411 West Main Street, Suite 1. Everyone regardless of age or ability is invited to join the club which has no membership dues.

The purpose of the club is to share and support everyone’s passion for photography arts whether they are a beginner or have been engaged in photography for many years. Present members include some who do not even own a camera to professionals who make a living by selling their art. For more information on the club feel free to call Bob Cunningham at 417-257-8206 or Dennis Crider at 417-274-7101.

Jan
13
Tue
West Plains Women’s Acappella Community Chorus Rehearsal @ Boys & Girls Club
Jan 13 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

West Plains Women’s Acappella Community Chorus Rehearsals, Every Tuesday, 7pm to 9pm, West Plains Boys and Girls Club. Women singers always welcome. Get more information at 661-303-8686

Jan
15
Thu
Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display @ Harlin Museum
Jan 15 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m.).

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Jan
16
Fri
Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display @ Harlin Museum
Jan 16 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m.).

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Jan
17
Sat
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 17 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast @ American Legion Hall
Jan 17 @ 7:00 am – 10:00 am

The American Legion hosts a breakfast on the third Saturday of every month as a fundraiser. All you can eat and lots of options at a bargain price!

GO FARM Farmers Market of West Plains @ Endurance Church Parking Lot
Jan 17 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Open every Saturday 9 a.m. t0 1 p.m. and on Wednesdays, seasonally. GO FARM Farmers Market of West Plains on Facebook for more information.

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display @ Harlin Museum
Jan 17 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m.).

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display Opening Reception @ Harlin Museum
Jan 17 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m.).

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Live Music ~ Molly Healey & Ashtyn Barbaree @ The Yellow House
Jan 17 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Event page here.

Info from organizers:

Welcome back to the Yellow House Molly Healey for her second time and she’s traveling with her talented friend Ashtyn Barbaree. You don’t want to miss this one, last time Molly played here to a sold out crowd, so come early and grab a seat. 10 dollars at the door and doors open at 6 pm show starts at 7. If you’ve seen Molly with the ozark mountain daredevils you know just how amazing she is, this will be a up close and intimate show. Ashtyn is the 2025 the Arkansas Americana Artist of the year with a folk style of her own.

A One-Woman Orchestra
A fan once lovingly stated that Molly brings the orchestra to the live rock show, and it’s a descriptor that has stuck over the years. As a longtime fiddle player for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils who morphed into a powerhouse experimental songwriter, Molly Healey began her solo career in 2015 after buying a simple looping pedal. She immediately found a passion for blending her strings and voice together into atmospheric and experimental orchestral folk songs, and her first compositions were featured on her debut solo album, Nightbirds. She has since recorded 3 more albums, each growing in intensity and instrumentation, and the most recent of which, Lotus, was released in 2022. She has grown from the stripped-down looping solo set, to a roster of original music and choice covers that she often performs with a full electric band. She plays a dazzling variety of instruments: cello, violin, guitar, and piano, all while experimenting with various other sounds looping in Ableton Live.
Influenced by artists such as Radiohead, Andrew Bird, Agnes Obel and more experimental cello-driven acts like Zoe Keating and The Avett Brothers, her music is heavily laden with her lush string arrangements, unconventional use of the orchestral instruments, and infectious beats. And all instruments aside, Molly’s strongest asset might be considered her voice, as she has been singing on various stages since her early childhood years.
She has opened for Victor Wooten, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, among many more, and has played sets at Burning Man, Roots N Blues Festival in Columbia, ReKinection Festival, and for the Missouri Contemporary Ballet. Her band, called the Molly Healey String Project, features the following members: Zach Harrison on electric guitar, Kyle Day on bass, and Danny Carroll on drums. Molly also continues to play violin for The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, The Lacewings, and guests with such acts as Ha Ha Tonka and many others. She frequently does session work for various bands across the state. Molly is also the co-organizer of Earth Day: The Festival, an annual music festival that raises funds for local environmental organizations. She is in the studio recording new music to be released in 2025 and 2026, including a new project, ODM, aka Orchestral Dance Music.
Ashtyn Barbaree is an independent internationally touring Americana singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Known for her ethereal vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and emotionally charged performances, Barbaree was named Americana Artist of the Year at the 2025 Arkansas Country Music Awards. Her music draws listeners in with a distinctive blend of vulnerability and strength, rooted in a sound that crosses Folk, Alt-Country, Americana, and Singer-Songwriter influences.
Barbaree’s dedication to creating authentic, emotionally resonant music continues to push boundaries and enchant audiences. Her latest project, Sent Through The Ceiling, released in October 2024, reached #44 on the Alt Country Specialty Charts (November 2024).
This collection of songs explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the bittersweetness of life’s journeys. Drawing inspiration from the vast landscapes of the Ozarks and personal experiences, Barbaree weaves narratives of love, loss, and the pursuit of dreams. The album features arrangements that reflect the spirit of Americana music through the eyes of an Arkansan.
Barbaree has demonstrated unwavering enthusiasm and dedication throughout her artistic career. Throughout college at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville), she performed over 300 shows annually between 2013 and 2017, balancing her studies and her burgeoning music career while earning a degree in geology. Her debut self-titled EP, recorded at The Butcher Shoppe in Nashville with an impressive lineup including producer David “Fergie” Ferguson and musicians Dave Roe, Jeffrey Clemens, Michael Rojas, and Kenny Vaughan, paved the way for her first European tour in 2018.
Her 2020 full-length album, Better Luck Next Time, recorded at The Studio Nashville, featured notable musicians like Chris Scruggs, Jeffrey Clemens and Tommy Hannum, and helped establish her presence on the international stage. She was named Arkansas Music Ambassador by Arkansas State Tourism and has been recognized with multiple nominations at the Arkansas Country Music Awards—including Americana Artist of the Year (2023, 2025 winner) and Acoustic Act of the Year (2024).
Weekly Dance with live music by Country Express Band @ West Plains Senior Center
Jan 17 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Check the Country Express Band Facebook page for cost and other details, including potential cancellations due to weather, holidays or other unforeseen circumstances.

From Country Express: Two step, Cha Cha, Waltz, Electric Slide, Charleston, Foot Boogie, River Waltz, Sweetheart, Around the Room, Tennessee Waltz, Neon Moon Cha Cha, and many more. Or just come listen to some good ole country music. Old country, new country, southern rock music. No alcohol allowed. Family fun for all ages.

 

Jan
18
Sun
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 18 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display @ Harlin Museum
Jan 18 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m.).

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Jan
19
Mon
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 19 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
“The Power of Empathy” presentation @ Lincoln School
Jan 19 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Jan
20
Tue
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 20 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
“Tom Henke: Faith, Family, Friends and Baseball,” presentation by David Jerome, hosted by Ozarks Heritage Research Center @ Garnett Library
Jan 20 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Biographer David Jerome will give a presentation, “Tom Henke: Faith, Family, Friends, and Baseball” at 6:00 p.m. at the Garnett Library on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. This event is sponsored by the Ozarks Heritage Research Center. Refreshments provided.

Jerome will provide an overview about Tom Henke, an exceptional yet underrated former professional baseball player from Missouri. Henke, a two-time All-Star, a World Series winner, and a Rolaids Relief Award winner, pitched for the Texas Rangers, the Toronto Blue Jays and the St. Louis Cardinals. By the end of his career, Henke amassed 311 saves as a closing pitcher. In 2011, he was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

In addition to exploring his faith, Jerome will provide a background of how Tom Henke’s family and friends helped him throughout his baseball career. Henke, of Taos, Missouri, located in the northern region of the Ozarks’ Salem Plateau just east of Jefferson City, grew up in a large religious family of modest means.

More about Jerome

Retired U.S. Army officer and former college professor, David Jerome wrote biography “Bill Virdon: A Life in Baseball” and edited the textbook “Examining War and Conflict around the World.” Jerome’s second book, “Preacher Roe: The Life of a Professional Baseball Great from the Ozarks” will be published  March 1, 2026.

David received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, an MBA from Florida Tech in Melbourne, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. He received numerous U.S. Army awards throughout his career, including the Legion of Merit. He and his wife, Kathy, have two children, Julie Topping (Mark) of Nevada City, California and Mark Jerome, of Ozark, Missouri. David and Kathy make their home in Ozark, Missouri.

West Plains Women’s Acappella Community Chorus Rehearsal @ Boys & Girls Club
Jan 20 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

West Plains Women’s Acappella Community Chorus Rehearsals, Every Tuesday, 7pm to 9pm, West Plains Boys and Girls Club. Women singers always welcome. Get more information at 661-303-8686

Jan
21
Wed
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 21 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
Jan
22
Thu
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 22 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display @ Harlin Museum
Jan 22 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m.).

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Jan
23
Fri
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 23 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display @ Harlin Museum
Jan 23 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m.).

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Jan
24
Sat
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 24 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
Bridal Expo @ West Plains Civic Center Exhibit Hall
Jan 24 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
GO FARM Farmers Market of West Plains @ Endurance Church Parking Lot
Jan 24 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Open every Saturday 9 a.m. t0 1 p.m. and on Wednesdays, seasonally. GO FARM Farmers Market of West Plains on Facebook for more information.

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display @ Harlin Museum
Jan 24 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m.).

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Weekly Dance with live music by Country Express Band @ West Plains Senior Center
Jan 24 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Check the Country Express Band Facebook page for cost and other details, including potential cancellations due to weather, holidays or other unforeseen circumstances.

From Country Express: Two step, Cha Cha, Waltz, Electric Slide, Charleston, Foot Boogie, River Waltz, Sweetheart, Around the Room, Tennessee Waltz, Neon Moon Cha Cha, and many more. Or just come listen to some good ole country music. Old country, new country, southern rock music. No alcohol allowed. Family fun for all ages.

 

Jan
25
Sun
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 25 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display @ Harlin Museum
Jan 25 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m.).

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Jan
26
Mon
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 26 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
Jan
27
Tue
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 27 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
Non-Profit Expo & Volunteer Fair hosted by Explore West Plains @ West Plains Civic Center Exhibit Hall
Jan 27 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
This drop-in event is for area non-profit and charitable organizations to showcase to the community what they do and to describe their volunteer needs and roles, if any. Whether you’re a longtime resident, someone thinking about moving to West Plains, or a newcomer to the area, you are invited to learn more about what is going on in the local non-profit, charitable and service community. The expo is free to attend, with door prizes and refreshments offered. There is important charitable and service work happening in our community, and we want to show off the generous spirit of folks in West Plains. Maybe your New Year’s resolution will be to get involved in something new!

Pre-registration for organizations is required. Registration forms are available at the Ozark Heritage Welcome Center, 2999 Porter Wagoner Blvd., or can be sent via email by contacting or messaging Explore West Plains.
West Plains Women’s Acappella Community Chorus Rehearsal @ Boys & Girls Club
Jan 27 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

West Plains Women’s Acappella Community Chorus Rehearsals, Every Tuesday, 7pm to 9pm, West Plains Boys and Girls Club. Women singers always welcome. Get more information at 661-303-8686

Jan
28
Wed
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 28 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
Jan
29
Thu
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 29 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display @ Harlin Museum
Jan 29 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m.).

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Jan
30
Fri
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 30 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display @ Harlin Museum
Jan 30 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m.).

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.

Jan
31
Sat
Exhibit by Photographer Dennis Crider “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” hosted by West Plains Council on the Arts @ West Plains Civic Center Mezzanine
Jan 31 all-day
“THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road”
Photographs by Dennis Crider. Featured at the West Plains Civic Center
 
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition entitled “THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST – 250 years on the road” Photographs by Dennis Crider. As part of activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary the exhibit will be displayed at the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from January 17 through February 21, 2026.  The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
There will be a Meet-the-Artist event February 7,   2:00-4:00 PM
Dennis Crider is an award-winning photographer who has had an interest in photography since early childhood in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He was yearbook and newspaper photographer in both high school and college. While a senior at Wichita High School South, he entered his first photography contest and gained a measure of confidence when he was named winner of an honorable mention award. It was the Kodak National High School Photo Awards Contest, and he was one of 125 HM Award winners. He received a certificate and $10.

Simple things like wide open spaces appeal to Dennis, as well as diversity of scenery. “While driving through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, the scene changes with every turn. I have come to love the vastness of the prairie, the beauty of the Flint Hills, and geologic wonders such as Little Jerusalem Badlands and Monument Rocks in my home state”.

In 1969 he became a reporter/photographer at The Daily Quill Newspaper in West Plains, Missouri. By the time he retired in 2008 he was head photographer and sports editor. In October 2023, he was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. He was the 77th person to receive this honor.
Trips to the magnificent American West have been welcome endeavors since retiring. But what is it that has him returning year after year? Growing up in Wichita, Kansas was at times a bit boring, but things changed when the family ventured west and south into northwestern Oklahoma where Dennis’s father was born. Visits to Buffalo, Oklahoma were usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Dennis couldn’t wait to go rabbit hunting. During visits in the summer months, he spent a lot of time going after bass, bluegill and catfish in Sand Creek, a spring-fed oasis about a mile from where his father was born. A favorite fishing spot.
Horace Greeley is credited with the phrase “Go West, young man,” and that is what Dennis says he will do as long as he can. And here is how a good cowboy friend puts it…”When your dog runs off in the prairie, you can watch it go for three days.”
This is just a sampling of why Dennis is in love with THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST.
 WPCA will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. All are invited to attend, meet the artist and discuss the work.  The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and Missouri Humanities.
GO FARM Farmers Market of West Plains @ Endurance Church Parking Lot
Jan 31 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Open every Saturday 9 a.m. t0 1 p.m. and on Wednesdays, seasonally. GO FARM Farmers Market of West Plains on Facebook for more information.

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display @ Harlin Museum
Jan 31 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Display at the Harlin Museum
Honoring America’s 250th Birthday

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Harlin Museum of West Plains is pleased to present a Patriotic and Antique Quilt Display, on exhibit January 15–February 14, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m.).

This special non-competitive show honors both our nation’s rich history and the resilient, resourceful Ozark women who crafted quilts from scraps—creating lasting works of beauty and comfort.

An opening reception featuring an antique “bed turning” presentation will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2–4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the display, hear the stories behind the quilts, and celebrate a cherished American art form.

Pickup Dates: February 14–15 | Noon–4 p.m.

Join us in honoring our nation’s heritage and the creative spirit of Ozark women through this meaningful and patriotic exhibition.