145th birthday service

10:45 a.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church

 

First Presbyterian Church of Webb City will celebrate its 145th birthday Sunday, March 27.

Sunday, March 27, is the same date that the church was organized in 1877 by the Revs. Rex Campbell and W.S. Knight.

The current church building, at Broadway and Ball street, was constructed between 1899 and 1905 for $10,000. The restored pipe organ and the manse, next door to the church on Broadway, were added between 1905 and 1909.

The Rev. Charles Spencer invites everyone to join in the celebration by attending the regular service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, and staying for punch and cookies.

Local writers spotlight

2 – 5 p.m. Saturday at Bookhouse Cinema

 

Bookhouse Cinema is putting the spotlight on six local writers Saturday afternoon.

Former Webb Citian Matt McGowan is one of them. He’ll be reading from his new fiction book, “1971,” answering questions and signing books. Matt now lives in Fayetteville, Ark.

Two non-fiction authors in the spotlight will be Chad Stebbins and Lisa Martin. Stebbins is fascinated by “Joplin’s Connor Hotel.” And Martin has researched “Wicked Route 66: Gangsters and Outlaws on the Mother Road.”

There will also be poetry readings by: Kim Horner McCoy, “This Bony Cabinet;” Joe Cornett, “In Caliginis, Absolutio,” and Loni Hoots, “Tin Woman.”

The event is expected to last from 2 to 4 p.m. Each writer will have time to talk and will have a table for purchasing and signing books afterward. Bookhouse Cinema is at 715 E. Broadway, Joplin.

Carterville Pop Up will be an opportunity for vendors and buyers

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at Comet Park

 

The Carterville Park Committee has 20 vendors signed up so far for the Pop Up in the Park event, which will be held from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Comet Park.

Spaces for vendors are still available for $10 and $15 (under the pavilion). For more information, visit the committee’s Facebook page.

Carterville’s citywide garage sale coincides with those in Webb City and Oronogo May 5 – 7.

Teams are signing up for Project Graduation’s basketball tournament

Saturday, April 9, at Cardinal Dome

 

Webb City Project Graduation is signing up teams to compete in its basketball tournament on April 9.

There will be boys and girls divisions for fourth, fifth and sixth grades, junior high and high school.

Teams are guaranteed three games. The cost is $160 per team. Registration will remain open through April 1.

Teams are to contact Lance Robbins at (417) 437-8916 or lrobbins@wcr7.org.

Carthage Chamber Career Fair

March 30 at Carthage Nazarene Church

 

CDL Electric, H.E. Williams, Leggett & Platt and Butterball are just some of the companies that will be accepting resumes and applications from prospective employees Wednesday, March 30, at the Carthage Chamber of Commerce Career Fair.

“We know there are many openings in our local businesses, and I am glad that we can partner together to host this career fair,” said Julie Reams, Carthage Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. “We hope that these businesses will find the workforce they need to fill some key positions.” 

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Carthage Nazarene Church, 2000 Grand Avenue.

A full list of participating businesses may be found at the chamber’s website or by calling the Carthage Chamber at (417) 358-2373.

Peace Church Cemetery spring work day

8 a.m. – noon Saturday, April 2

 

Volunteers are invited to pitch in from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 2, to prepare the historic Peace Church Cemetery for Memorial Day and summer season.

The work will primarily involve removing leaves, limbs and rocks so mowers can provide visitors with safe and easy access to family burial plots. Land management is important. Natural settling of soil means some fill work needs to be done. And the wooden structure that displays a photo of the old Peace Church and provides information about the cemetery will be painted.

Churches, civic organizations, school groups, Scout Troops, veteran organizations, and families are all welcome. Useful tools include leaf rakes, rock rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows and gloves. 

From the first burial site in 1846 to the most recent in 2005, the Peace Church Cemetery Association volunteer group aims to honor and tell the stories of those who are laid to rest here. One of Jasper County’s oldest cemeteries, Peace Church Cemetery is located on the east side of Peace Church Road, half-way between Zora and Fountain roads.

For more information, contact James Beeler, chairman of the association at (417) 529-0890 or peacechurchcemetery@gmail.com.

Humane Society will hide your eggs

8 a.m. – noon Saturday, April 2

 

The Joplin Humane Society’s little “bunnies” offer to make hiding eggs for Easter morning a bit easier.

Eggs filled with candy and tiny toys will be delivered after 8 p.m. on either April 15 or April 16. Hiding locations are limited to within 10 miles of the Joplin Humane Society.

The costs are: $25 for 25 eggs; $35 for 50 eggs; $50 for 75 eggs, and $65 for 100 eggs. A golden egg can be added for $5. There will be five lucky eggs that have enclose a ticket for a large chocolate bunny.

For more information and to order (before the April 8 deadline) visit joplinhumane.org or call (417) 623-3642.

New assistance to pay water bills

Applications now accepted on line and on paper

 

Economic Security Corporation announces a new online method for low-to-moderate families to apply for help paying water bills.

All applications no longer have to be printed, but can be completed using any iPad or computer. Paper applications can still be obtained through the mail and will be processed at ESC’s Central Office at 302 S. Joplin St., Joplin, MO 64801.

Households must meet income eligibility criteria. For more information, visit the site’s website. 

This project/program is funded 100% at $1,000,000 by federal funds received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division.