Community Calendar
Now, more than ever, America is need of prayer. Join us in prayer for our nation, Wednesday mornings from 8:30 to 9:30. It’s time to ask God to help this nation. We need to pray for our churches, pastors, evangelists- we need to pray for revival… for our children to receive the right education K-through- college, based on the Word of God… for our communities and leaders, for our legislators…so that they may get closer to God, so they can receive the wisdom of God.
In Jesus’ name.
THE AMERICAN VETERANS MEMORIAL IN ASH FLAT IS SELLING BRICKS TO HONOR ANYONE WHO SERVED IN THE U.S. MILITARY. BRICKS SELL FOR $50 EACH. BRICK FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ASH FLAT CITY HALL OR BY CALLING 870-994-7324.
THE EVENING SHADE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS SELLING CHANCES ON A HALF BEEF. IT’S $10 A TICKET. ONLY A THOUSAND TICKETS WILL BE SOLD. PURCHASE TICKETS FROM ANY EVENING SHADE FIREMAN, AT CITY HALL OR AT VFW POST #8042. THE RAFFLE ENDS OCTOBER 31ST, THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER.
The Bridge Community Church south of West Plains on Highway 63, four miles south of the Dairy Queen, is now holding Sunday night services at 6 p.m. Pastor Dan Duncan welcomes everyone. For more information call 417-293-3240.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED AT THE HORSESHOE BEND RECYCLING CENTER. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED ON MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS OR SATURDAYS. ANYONE INTERESTED IN HELPING IS INVITED TO DROP BY AND VISIT WITH RECYCLING CENTER MANAGER, JOHN WATTS, BY CALLING 870-345-5749.
GED CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE ADULT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT OZARKA COLLEGE. CLASSES ARE HELD TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY FROM 9AM UNTIL 3PM ON THE MELBOURNE CAMPUS; TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY 9AM UNTIL 3PM ON THE ASH FLAT CAMPUS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PHONE THE ADULT EDUCATION OFFICE AT OZARKA COLLEGE AT 870-368-2051.
A CELEBRATE RECOVERY MEETING IS HELD EVERY MONDAY NIGHT AT 6PM AT THE SALEM FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH. CHILDCARE IS PROVIDED. PHONE 870-895-0885 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
The Sharp County Conservation District is selling one-pound packages of pecan halves and one-pound packages of pecan pieces for $10.50 each. Just go to 212 Court Road next to the courthouse in Ash Flat
The Highland Band’s annual cookie dough sale is underway. You can contact any Highland Band student to place your order- proceeds will support band trips.
The St. Paul United Methodist Church will now be having a service every Sunday at 1 pm. Pastor Boyd Sawyer and the congregation welcome everyone.
NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER – ALTON:
Alton Bank is taking donations for non-perishable food items now thru the end of November.
We are also accepting cash donations. The first $1,000.00 will be matched by Alton Bank.
All these proceeds will go to the Alton Food Pantry!!!
NOW THROUGH DECEMBER- WEST PLAINS:
Community Food Drive in West Plains. Benefits Samaritan Outreach, First Baptist Church Food Pantry and multiple other organizations. Where to donate food: Rescue Church (Sundays 9:30a to 10:30a and Wednesdays 6p to 8p), Embellish Salon and Style (Monday through Friday 8:30a to 4p), Finish Line Screen Printing (Monday through Thursday 9a to 5p) and First United Methodist Church (Monday through Thursday 8:30a to 5:30p and Sunday 8a to Noon). If you need food visit Samaritan Outreach for meals daily at Noon and 5p or First Baptist Church Food Pantry Mondays and Wednesdays from 9a to 11:15a.
NOW THROUGH DECEMBER- WEST PLAINS:
The Howell County Health Department is now holding a coat drive and are seeking donations of coats sizes infant through size 8. If you would like to donate coats, you can drop them off at the Health Department at 180 Kentucky Avenue in West Plains. Call 417-256-7078 for more info.
MONTHLY – THAYER:
Pregnancy Resource Center of West Plains
POP-UP In Thayer, Mo
Located at the Christian Activity Center
429 Chestnut St
Thayer, Mo.
October 23, 2025
November 20, 2025
December 18, 2025
Dates for 2026 to be announced
4TH MONDAY MONTHLY – THAYER:
Dementia Caregiver Support Group presented by Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Missouri and Senior Age
4th Monday of the month from 8:30am to 1oam
Thayer Fun and Friends Senior Center- 100 Chestnut Street
Mark Applegate 417-255-2513 or email mark.applegate@seniormo.org
Please contact the facilitator before attending your first meeting and for weather cancellation concerns
NOVEMBER- KOSHKONONG:
The Koshkonong Library is having a book sale in November.
We are located at 302 Diggins St, in Koshkonong, and are open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 10:00-4:00.
Please contact Myra at 417-867-5472
NOVEMBER, AND DECEMBER: OREGON COUNTY
OREGON COUNTY 4-H
- A back to 4-H Bash on Saturday November 1st 10a-2p at the Thayer High School. All are welcome to come and see what 4-H has to offer.
- Opening our 4-H meetings to anyone who might be interested to come and see how our meetings are held. Tuesday November 4th @6:30pm at Couch School, and Tuesday December 9th @6:30pm at Thayer High School. Enrollment is thru December 14th.
- During the month of November we will be doing a “Socks 4 Seniors” donation drive to collect socks with slip resistant soles, chap stick, deck of cards, hard candies, granola bars, travel size lotions, travel size kleenex and small hair combs and we will be stuffing the socks with these items and handing them out to residents at the Shady Oaks nursing home in Thayer and Shepherd’s View in Alton for Christmas. We will have donation at a few local businesses such as the Oregon County Extension Office in Alton, The Farmer’s Daughter in Thayer.
DECEMBER:
Toys for Tots returns to West Plains under direction of Cpt. Dillon Smith. Volunteers are needed to help and to wrap toys. The toys can be donated at any local business with an official Toys for Tots box. They hope this will be the biggest year yet. The Heart of the Ozarks is providing a place to store the wrapped toys. To volunteer or sign up visit www.west-plains-mo.toysfortots.org or contact Smith at 619-606-8826. They hope to provide at least 1,000 (one-thousand) presents to children this year.
NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 25th- THAYER:
Echoes of the Past Village, located just north of Thayer on County Road 367 near Southern Missouri Community Health Center will have their Christmas lights up each night for viewing from 5:30p to 9:30pm. You may drive through or park at the bottom of the hill in the designated parking area and walk around. No charge to view the lights, donations are appreciated.
NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 24th – THAYER/ALTON:
The Salvation Army will be ” Ringing the bell” from November 28th through December 24th in the Alton and Thayer areas. Please make your donation to Salvation Army to help with disaster relief, housing, food, and other critical needs for residents in Oregon County. Anyone wanting to volunteer to ring the bell in Thayer can contact Ronda at First Baptist Church, Monday and Wednesday 9-3 and Thursdays 9-1. (417-264-3403) To sign up to ring in Alton call (417-270-0097). Salvation Army. Doing the MOST good.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20- CAMP, AR:
A heartwarming Christmas Program at Camp Methodist Church on Highway 9 North in Camp, where everyone is welcomed to attend and participate in the retelling of Jesus’s birth. The program will be Saturday, December 20 at 6 pm.
Children’s practice December 16,18 and 19 at 6 pm arrive early. Santa Claus will be making an appearance with toys for every child in attendance. Goody Bags for everyone.
Text Anna Crowe for additional information at (901)491-0612
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20-WEST PLAINS, MO.
Amvets Post 98 in a West Plains drive-thru food drive this Saturday, December 20th, 9-11 am, bring proof of service
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26th – WEST PLAINS, MO:
Ozarks Healthcare, in partnership with the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), is inviting the community to participate in its upcoming blood drive at Willard Hunter Classroom, 1211 Porter Wagoner Blvd. in West Plains on Friday, Dec. 26, from 9am to 2p.m. Blood donors will receive a free, limited-edition CBCO blanket while supplies last — a cozy token of appreciation for giving the gift of life to local patients. Every donation has the potential to help up to three people in hospitals across northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri, and southeast Kansas. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged to help minimize wait times. To schedule your donation, call 417-227-5006 or visit www.cbco.org/donate-blood.
NORTH ARKANSAS
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers are sworn in by a judge in the case, and CASA needs volunteers to help abused and neglected children. CASA of North Arkansas provides trained community volunteer advocates to help play a positive role in the lives of children in the foster care system.
Contact CASA of North Arkansas at 870-517-8432
THAYER:
A Celebrate Recovery meeting is every Monday night at 6, at First Assembly of God Church in Salem. Childcare is provided; for more information 870-895-0885
A Dementia Caregiver Support Group in Thayer will meet on the 4th Monday of the month from 8:30am – 10am at the Thayer Fun and Friends Senior Center located at 100 Chestnut Street in Thayer. For more info, call 417-955-2513 or 1-800-272-3900.
ALTON/THAYER SALVATION ARMY:
If you would like to donate to the Salvation Army in Oregon County throughout the year, then please mail your donation payable to Salvation Army at P.O. Box 223 in Thayer, Mo 65791. Be confident this donation will be used in Oregon County to help those in need.
TUESDAY AND FRIDAY – JANUARY – WEEKLY:
“Get Fit Classes” are held each Tuesday and Friday mornings at 10 a.m. at the Izard County Senior Center, located one mile south of Brockwell on Highway 9. For more information call the center at 980-368-6011.
ALTON:
Grief Share, a special help seminar and support group for people experiencing grief and loss will be held on Thursdays at 6pm at Alton Church of Christ. GriefShare features nationally recognized experts on grief recovery topics. Seminar sessions include “Is This Normal”, “The Challenges of Grief”, “Grief and Your Relationships,” “Why”, and “Guilt and Anger”. This is open to the public and is not a denomination- specific event. For more information, call 417-280-1046.
ALTON & THAYER:
The Alton & Thayer Senior Centers will now be offering “hot meals to go” on a weekly basis; the meals will be done “take-out style” at the front door, at each center. For more information, call the Alton Center at 417-778-7342 or the Thayer Center at 417-264-7354 or visit, social media pages for each center, and to view menus.
ASH FLAT/CHEROKEE VILLAGE:
The Sharp County Senior Life Program, located in the Town Center in Cherokee Village is open Monday through Friday from 9am – 2pm with lunch served at 11:30am. For more information about programs and events, call Karla Collins at 870-257-6301.
CHEROKEE VILLAGE:
The food pantry at First Baptist Church in Cherokee Village will be open every Tuesday from 9a-1p.
COUCH:
The Couch R-1 School District annual Back-to-School Supply Drive is taking place at Open House. If you would like to support the Back-to-School Supply Drive, they need donations for school supplies. You can find a list of needed supplies on the school’s website. Supplies and donations can be dropped off at school or Wicker Auto Sales. For more information, you can contact Katie Janes at (417) 938-4212 or Jennifer Smith at (417) 293-1692.
KOSHKONONG, MO:
The Senior Mobile Market visits the Koshkonong City Hall on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 9:30 to 10:30a distributing food to qualified residents. You must live in Oregon County and provide proof you are 60 years of age or older. Food will be provided on a first come/first served basis to at least 1 member of the household. For questions, call 417-865-3411. This a service of the Ozark Food Harvest.
MAMMOTH SPRING:
Exercise classes are held at the Mammoth Spring Senior Citizens Center 950 Archer Avenue in Mammoth Spring every Monday except major holidays at 9:00 am. The class lasts 30 minutes and involves stretch bands, weights, stretching, and working on balance. Contact the Salem Extension Office for more information at 870-895-3301 or Lisa at 870-321-3351.
WEDNESDAYS
GED classes are at the Mammoth Spring Fire Department from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students are accepted starting at age 16. There is no charge for this class. Classes are held at the Ozarka College Campus in Ash Flat on Tuesdays and Thursday, also from 9:00 to 3:00 p.m.
THIRD MONDAY MONTHLY – MAMMOTH SPRING, AR:
Shining Light Food Pantry has moved. Their new location is the corner of Goldsmith & 7th in Mammoth Spring. The third Monday of every month is distribution day. They need you to line up NO earlier than 5:00. Pantry is from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Turn on 289, go to the top of the hill turn left onto Goldsmith, and follow Goldsmith around to 7th Street we cannot block any driveways or streets, please leave gaps for these. When you are on Goldsmith you will stay at the stop sign that we place until the car being loaded on 7th street moves away then you will move across to be loaded not blocking any driveways or streets. If you try to cut in from a side street you will have to go to the back to get in line. We will be putting signs out to help the lineup process. Questions? Contact Jennifer Smith at 417-293-1692.
SUMMERSVILLE:
A free beginners line dance workout is offered each Thursday from 5:30-6:30pm at the Summersville Senior Center. A $1 donation to the senior center is suggested to cover use of the facility. For more information, call 417-932-4866.
WEST PLAINS:
West Plains Animal Control wants to remind the public that this year’s dog registration tags are now available at the police department, city hall, and the animal control facility. All residents inside the city limits must register their dogs. The registrations are free and current rabies vaccine information must be put on the form.
If you’re struggling with Alcohol abuse, there are meetings in the area to help with your addiction; it’s helping many victims and their families. Alcoholics Anonymous or A.A. meets in West Plains almost daily. Many are attending the West Plains Wednesday evening session at 7 p.m. at 1400 Washington Avenue in West Plains. You and your family members are welcome. There are meetings in not only West Plains, but Thayer, Willow Springs, Mt. View, Eminence, and Cabool. You can attend any meeting. There are no dues or fees for A A. It’s non-denominational, non-political, and they do not wish to engage in any controversy. The only requirement is for the desire to stop drinking. Learn more. Call 417-256-8988. Their primary purpose is to stay sober and help other people achieve sobriety.
The West Plains Area Farmers Market, located in the East Towne Village pavilion, at 1380 Bill Virdon Blvd. in West Plains, is now open from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Celebrate Recovery in West Plains, which used to be held on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm will now be held on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 pm at The First Baptist Church South Campus located at 106 Grove St. West Plains, MO. It will follow immediately after “For the City Meal” which runs from 5pm-6pm. Anyone wishing to attend Celebrate Recovery is invited to come early and enjoy a free meal before the meeting.
The Howell County Health Department is accepting new or gently used coats for children and adults. Items can be dropped off at the Health Department at 180 Kentucky Avenue in West Plains or please call 417-256-7078 to arrange pick up.
The West Plains Ozark Health Care Hospital Gift Shop is now open. Hours are 10:00 until 4:00 p.m. weekdays. More hours later as they expand their staff. Call to donate or for more information 417-853-5200 or go to ozarkshealthcare.com/support-us/foundation
THAYER:
Ozarks Healthcare Thrift Store in Thayer, at 612 South 6th St. is open for donations and shopping Monday through Saturday, from 9AM-4:30PM with a sale every Thursday. Any questions can be answered on their Facebook page or by calling 417-264-2028
First Baptist Church in Thayer has a Christ-centered addiction recovery program each Monday at 6:00 p.m. in The Thayer Christian Activity Center on Chestnut Street. Celebrate Recovery is a faith-based approach to overcoming addictions. If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction you are invited to attend or invite someone to attend with you. If you would like to donate to the many needs or help in this ministry contact the church office at 417-264-3403. If you can help provide part of the weekly meal, please sign up for an item at the Welcome Center. The help will be much appreciated and will bless many.
The Tax Collector’s office in Thayer will be open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am-4pm. These hours will remain until further notice.
The Christian Activity Center in Thayer is open for walkers from 7:00 until 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday….and open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 until 2:00 p.m. for Senior Adult Activities.
Mo-Ark A.A. meetings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning at 7 p.m. at the St. Paul United Methodist Church in Thayer.