The cover of Yonder Mountain: An Ozarks Anthology edited by Associate Professor of English Anthony Priest

WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Anthony Priest, author and associate professor of English at Missouri State University-West Plains, will host a formal book release/reading event for his new book, Yonder Mountain: An Ozarks Anthology, beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 11, at the Garnett Library on the Missouri State-West Plains campus.

Priest served as editor of the recently-released book, which features pieces by “poets, novelists, naturalists, columnists and historians whose lives have been shaped profoundly by the landscape and culture of the Ozarks.”

The July 11 event is intended to celebrate and showcase these fine authors, Priest said, adding he will introduce the anthology and ask several of the authors to read a portion of their work from the text.  Authors expected to participate include Jan Hoogestraat, Jo Beth Van Arkel, Bonnie Steppenoff, Jan Roddy, Katie Estill, James Hamilton, Phillip Howerton and Craig Albin.  Refreshments also will be served, Priest added.

Inspired by poet Miller Williams’ Ozark, Ozark: A Hillside Reader, the pieces in Yonder Mountain take note of the region’s unique culture while addressing the changes taking place as it becomes more diverse, Priest said.  “Having achieved recognition through publications, awards and accolades from the literary community and beyond, the writers in Yonder Mountain reflect diversity and change within the Ozarks while remaining rooted in the literary legacy born out of the hills we call home,” he explained in the book’s forward.

The anthology includes pieces by such authors as Donald Harington, Sara Burge, Marcus Cafagna, Art Homer, Pattiann Rogers, Miller Williams, Roy Reed and Daniel Woodrell.

The book, published this spring by the University of Arkansas Press, has received much praise from regional authors and historians.  Writer Jo McDougall said, “Beloved, feared, stereotyped, mythologized, shamed and revered: the Ozarks region is and has been all of these.  Garnering work from folks who know the region best, Priest serves up a trove of fine writing and an unflinching look at a region that continues to both bewitch and confound.”

Susan Young of the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale, Ark., adds, “Some would say being from the Ozarks is a blessing.  Others would say it’s a burden.  The truth, of course, is somewhere in between.  Within the pages of Yonder Mountain, you’ll find steadfast Ozark voices that mirror all three perspectives: those who are grateful, those who are conflicted, those who persevere.”

Pat Carr, author of The Death of a Confederate Colonel: Civil War Stories and a Novella and One Page at a Time: On a Writing Life, said, “An anthology with Ozarks in the title conjures up images of romantic tales and poetry that depict the pastoral lifestyle of the hills, but from the opening pages to the final story of this brilliantly put-together collection, the reader is made aware that these Ozark authors have realized their once-unique culture is threatened.  Loss and death hover over the hickory trees, cemeteries sprout on abandoned farmland and in deserted towns, and displaced Ozark inhabitants have become alienated to the point of paralysis.  Yonder Mountain is a stunning example of how authors selected from one specific region can represent the pain and confusion, the inexorable changes that typify all of contemporary America.”

Copies of Yonder Mountain will be available for purchase at the event, Priest said.  For more information, contact Priest at AnthonyPriest@MissouriState.edu or the Garnett Library at 417-255-7945.

TREES, SHRUBBERY, GRASS AND A PATIO have been installed at Gohn Hall on the Missouri State University-West Plains campus, thanks to donations from West Plains Bank and Trust Company and the Arch W. Shaw Foundation, Roger D. Shaw Jr. and William Shaw, Trustees. The work was completed by Landscape Legends in West Plains and incorporated many of the same types of plants originally found at the home, according to Landscape Legends owner Karen Kattner. “The first time we met on the site to start the plan, David Gohn (who, along with his sister, Virginia Gohn-Sapp, donated the original structure to the university) reminisced on his childhood memories and remembered the Foster hollies and magnolias,” Kattner said. “His hope was to incorporate the old traditional plants with the newer hybrids that are more size appropriate and have abundant blooming time.” The design also included an automatic sprinkler system for the lawn and a customized drip system for the shrub beds, also known as Xeriscaping, she said. On the west side of the building crews installed an 18-foot diameter circular paver patio with a seating wall that views the Smith-London Centennial Bell Tower and, in time, will be shaded by hybrid maples, Kattner said. With some of the landscaping above are, from left, Roger D. (Dusty) Shaw, Jr., Thomasville; Gohn, chairman and CEO of West Plains Bank and Trust Co.; Kattner; David M. Gohn, president and COO of West Plains Bank and Trust Co.; Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett; and Director of Development Joe Kammerer. (Missouri State-West Plains Photo)

July’s mobile food pantry is being sponsored by Bill and Pam Hutchings of West Plains.

Those eligible to apply for this assistance include area families with children ages birth through 18 who live within Howell County.  This includes the communities of West Plains, Willow Springs and Mountain View.  Previously, the criteria only included families who lived within the boundaries of the West Plains R-7 School District or surrounding rural school districts.

Students enrolled at Missouri State University-West Plains and the South Central Career Center also are eligible, organizers said, provided they meet income guidelines.  Missouri State students must present their student identification cards in person, as well as a current class schedule; they may not send them with a family member.  Families will receive only one voucher per family.

Those who apply should bring the following documentation to the prequalification:  A photo ID, proof of income, proof of Howell County residency, names and ages of children, and a telephone number.  Proof of Howell County residency does not apply to Missouri State-West Plains or South Central Career Center students, organizers said.

Volunteers will verify documentation of those seeking assistance at the prequalification and give vouchers for the date of the truck delivery.  Only people receiving vouchers will receive food from the truck during the July delivery, organizers stressed, adding vouchers must be received every month for truck delivery.

The Ozarks Food Harvest Mobile Food Pantry provides food and grocery products for up to 250 qualifying families each month.  The first delivery arrived April 13, 2010.  The next prequalification date is Aug. 7, 2013.

Organizers said it is hoped community agencies and groups will sponsor successive months for $1,000 per month.  In addition to this month’s sponsor, the following community organizations, businesses and individuals have sponsored previous months or are planning to sponsor future months:  Salvation Army, Colton Johnson, Victory Family Worship Center, Grace Community Church, Burton Creek Medical Clinic, Christos House, Sunrise Rotary, Noon Rotary, First Church of God, Kiwanis Club, First Christian Church, the Girl Scouts, West Plains Ba Hai group, Dale and Jan Rickert, West Vue Nursing Home, West Plains Electric Supply, Word of Life Ministry, United Freewill Baptist Church, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Renee Cawvey, Willow Springs General Baptist Church, Rick and Sherri Jolliff, West Plains Daily Quill employees, Bill and Pam Hutchings, Unitarian Universalist Church of West Plains, Bethel Baptist Church, and local residents Reba Barnhart and Hazel Evins.

The Lelia Heuer Foundation of Springfield sponsored the first six months of the food distribution and has granted a request to sponsor an additional 12 months.  More sponsors are needed to ensure the project continues without interruption.

The mobile pantry is designed not to duplicate, but instead supplement services already being provided by area food banks, organizers said, adding volunteers are needed for prequalification dates, as well as distribution dates.

For more information about the Ozarks Food Harvest Mobile Food Pantry project, or if you are interested in volunteering or donating, go to http://wp.missouristate.edu/Development/ozarkfoodharvest.htm or contact officials at the American Red Cross, 417-257-0018.

Dates are July 10 and 24 in Looney Hall Room 202 on the Missouri State-West Plains campus.  The drop-in open houses will run from 5 to 7 p.m., with informational sessions set at 5:15, 5:45 and 6:15 p.m. for convenience.

During the sessions, prospective students will learn more about the program, academic requirements and enrollment procedures, as well as tour classrooms, laboratories and the simulation lab.  A question/answer session also is planned, and refreshments will be served, university officials said.

“If you are interested in a health care profession that is fast paced and rewarding, you should look into this program,” said director Cindy A. Smith.

After successfully completing the two-year degree, students will be qualified to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), she said.  People possessing this credential are qualified to work in any state, she said, adding demand for therapists is high.  In Missouri, the average salary for RRTs is greater than $45,000 a year.

Those who attend the sessions can apply for admission to the program’s new cohort, which will begin in January 2014 and graduate in December 2016.  Admission is on a competitive basis, and certain minimum standards must be met, she added.  The deadline for applications is Aug. 1.

Smith said university officials recently were notified the program has received provisional accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).  CoARC officials decided to withhold continuing accreditation of the program in spring 2010 after the rate of program graduates who passed the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialing examination fell below the required 80 percent.  University officials reapplied for accreditation and were granted provisional status on April 3, 2012, she explained.

For more information about the program and how to be admitted to the new cohort, contact Smith at 417-255-7250 or CindyASmith@MissouriState.edu.

SEVERAL STUDENTS received awards in this year’s creative writing contest sponsored by the Missouri State University-West Plains Department of English and Writing Center, and they were recognized during the annual Celebration of Leaders student awards ceremony April 18 at the West Plains Civic Center theater. From left are Associate Professor of English Anthony Priest and winners Kadie Tyler and Brian Hite, both of West Plains, Lemuel Emunah of Dora, Othniel Emunah, who accepted the award given to Zerubbabel Emunah of Dora, and Sonrisa Holmes, Willow Springs. Emmily Andrews, West Plains, also was a winner in the contest. (Missouri State-West Plains photo)

WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Five students at Missouri State University-West Plains won top honors in the campus’ annual creative writing contest sponsored by the English Department and the Student Advisement and Academic Support (SAAS) Center’s Writing Lab.

Prize money in the amount of $35 and $20 and a copy of Elder Mountain: A Journal of Ozarks Studies, the university’s literary journal, were awarded to the first, second and third place winners, respectively, in each of three categories – essay, fiction and poetry.  Prize money was made possible with a donation from the West Plains Daily Quill.

First place in the essay category went to Sonrisa Holmes, Willow Springs, for her piece “Respect for the Dead: Are Corpses More Revered Than the Living?”  In describing her essay’s topic, Holmes said, “There are many humanitarian uses for cadavers, including the prolongation of life, protection of the living, and preservation of natural resources.  Instead of wasting this valuable resource, more research should be invested in the many uses for one of the most complex feats of nature – the human body.”

Second place in essays went to Brian Hite, West Plains, for “Death to the Individual.”  Kadie Tyler, West Plains, took third place with “Plagiarism.”

For the fiction category, Holmes again placed first for her story “Weary,” a tale about a fairytale godmother who is rescued by a veteran soldier and offers him a wish.  “Static” by Hite earned the second place prize, and Emmily Andrews, West Plains, placed third for her piece “White Rabbit in Aster Fields.”

In poetry, Lemuel Emunah, Dora, took first and second place for his pieces “Adoxography” and “Steam Powered,” and Zerubbabel Emunah, also of Dora, placed third for his poem “Intruder.”

Organizers said they received 29 entries for this year’s contest – five essays, 17 poems and seven short stories.  “I’m proud of all the winners, but I have to admit I was proud two of the winning authors worked at the Tutoring Lab,” said Writing Specialist Alexandra Graham, pointing to winners Lemuel Emunah and Holmes.

Copies of the first, second and third place entries in each category can be viewed online through SAAS’ website, http://wp.missouristate.edu/saas/Contest.htm.

For more information about the contest, contact Graham at 417-255-7942.

University officials with the Student Advisement and Academic Support (SAAS) Center, which hosts the events, said six sessions still have spaces available for first-time freshmen and transfer students with less than 10 credit hours.   Those dates are July 19 and 25, and Aug. 2, 9 and 16 at the West Plains campus and July 30 at the university’s Mountain Grove campus in Shannon Hall, 401 E. 17th St.

Space is limited for each STAR session, so students are encouraged to register early for their preferred sessions, officials stressed.

STAR Orientations are designed to provide students with an introduction to the university and its services, policies and procedures, and to assist students in registering for their first semester.  During STAR, students will meet with a faculty adviser, schedule fall classes, receive a photo ID, be assigned a BearPass login, receive a parking permit, have an opportunity to visit with a financial aid representative, purchase textbooks and, if desired, take a tour of the campus.  “In short, they will be totally prepared for the first day of classes on Aug. 20,” officials said.

Officials also pointed out a separate program is available for parents, spouses and friends of the students who attend.  “They will hear from a number of university administrators and staff members who will present information about the campus, explain important topics such as academic degree programs, financial aid, etc., and provide insightful tips about how they can help their student achieve academic success,” officials explained.

Before attending an orientation, students must be admitted to the university and complete required ACT testing, as well as an in-house writing sample.  Additional testing may be required for placement purposes depending on ACT scores.  For more information about the admission process, call the Missouri State-West Plains admissions office at 417-255-7955.  For more information about required testing, contact the SAAS Center office of 417-255-7222.

For more information about STAR Orientation sessions and how to register for an orientation session, contact SAAS at 417-255-7222.  All university offices can be contacted toll free by calling 1-888-466-7897.

Tournament director and Dean of Student Services Dr. Herb Lunday said over $22,000 was raised to benefit the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball and Volleyball programs for the upcoming seasons.

“Thanks to a great group of volunteers who worked at various tournament tasks and the large number of people who golfed their hearts out on a beautiful day in our beloved Ozarks, this was the biggest and best Grizzly Golf Classic ever,” Lunday said.  “On one hand, it is true that we must have private sources of revenue to support our Grizzly Athletics program.  On the other hand, the Grizzly Golf Classic has become a signature event and a special treat on its own.”

Tournament flight winners included Josh Kenyon, Mike Woods and Jordan Kinder, all of West Plains, who shot a 76 to win the Red Grizzly Flight; Larry Duffel, West Plains, Bryan Duffel, Memphis, Tenn., and Steven Duffel, Willard, Mo., who shot a 66 to win the Blue Grizzly Flight; and John Adams, West Plains, Ronnie Bryan, Pomona, and Kevin Osborn, Willow Springs, who shot a 60 to win the Trophy Grizzly Flight and the tournament overall.  Each golfer from the winning flight teams received a Nike driver.

Traditional honors for the “Dead Last Team in the Entire Tournament” went to Rebecca Feston, Mountain Grove, Amanda Mooty, Seymour, and Jennifer Wiley, Hartville, who shot a 98 for the event.  Each received an Odyssey putter.

Several individuals won prizes for shots made during the tournament.  Nick Pruitt, St. James, Mo., won a giant teddy bear for hitting the longest putt (20 feet) on Hole No. 3.  Bill Virdon, Springfield, won a Stihl string trimmer from Larson Farm & Lawn for hitting closest to the pin (3 feet) on Hole No. 6.  Dr. Richard Bowles, West Plains, received an Avari recumbent bike from Stamina Products for hitting the most accurate drive (1 foot from center line) on Hole No. 18.

Many other participants recieved other prizes contributed by area merchants, and 12 players received Louisville Slugger baseball bats personally autographed by Major League Baseball great Bill Virdon.

Lunday praised tournament committee members Jerry Womack, Carr Ward, Justin Mitchell, Josh Drummond, Paula Wiedemann and Yancey Walker for their efforts to ensure a successful tournament.

Plans are already underway for the 19th annual Grizzly Golf Classic, which will take place Friday, June 6, 2014, at the West Plains Country Club, Lunday added.

“As an expression of our appreciation for the generous support we have been given by area residents for the past 50 years, university officials are asking all full-time and part-time faculty, staff, students and their immediate family members, as well as our alumni, university retirees and members of major boards, such as the Chancellor’s Advisory Board, Development Board, Friends of the Garnett Library and Grizzly Booster Club Executive Board of Directors, to contribute 50,000 hours of volunteer service in a one-year period – from commencement 2013 to commencement 2014,” Chancellor Drew Bennett said.

Participants can log their volunteer hours at any time during the campaign period by going to http://blogs.wp.missouristate.edu/volunteer/.  Participants are encouraged to log their volunteer hours monthly, if possible.  As they do, they will see the thermometer on the right side of the page rise, officials said.

A list of volunteer opportunities also can be found at the site, but eligible volunteer time is not limited to those opportunities, Bennett said.  Hours can be recorded for efforts involving any volunteer project in the participants’ home communities.

“We know that many of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and board members already give generously of their time to worthwhile organizations,” Bennett said.  “The key to the campaign’s success is for individuals to record the time already being spent volunteering, as well as promoting the importance of volunteer service and encouraging others to make a difference in their communities.”

“Operation 50K,” which was given its name by SGA President Dakota Bates of Alton, not only expresses appreciation for 50 years of support from the communities, but also the value placed on volunteer service by faculty, staff and students at Missouri State University-West Plains, Bennett said.

“Fifty years ago, a group of community members dreamed that one day a residence center of higher education would thrive in West Plains, and with the help of many, we have advanced to prominence as Missouri State University-West Plains.  I invite all former students, university retirees and members of our major advisory boards over the past 50 years to join us in this effort to promote the importance of volunteer service and encourage others to make a difference in their communities,” he said.

For more information about “Operation 50K,” visit the blog site, http://blogs.wp.missouristate.edu/volunteer/, or call Dean of Student Services Dr. Herb Lunday at 417-255-7255.

Those wishing to attend classes can register in person beginning at 8 a.m. Friday in the registration and records office in Cass Hall, 515 Cass Ave. (the former social security office), or they may go online to register beginning at 12:01 a.m.  To web register, visit the Missouri State-West Plains website at http://www.wp.missouristate.edu and click on the “My Grizzly Den” link on the left side of the page.

Students who do not have an account need to click on the “Get an Account” below the “Log In” section of the “My Grizzly Den” page for step-by-step instructions.  They also may call the Missouri State-West Plains information technology help desk at 417-255-7995 for more information concerning web registration.

The Senior Citizen Fee Waiver Program allows Missouri residents age 60 and above to take tuition-free academic courses being offered during the summer semester on a non-credit basis, provided they satisfy all course prerequisites, officials said.  With a recent policy change, intersession classes also are now eligible for the fee waiver program, they added; however, seniors must pay special course fees, required texbooks and supplies, if applicable.

To register, senior citizens should be fully admitted to the university as non-degree seeking students and follow the regulations outlined for non-degree seeking students.  Participants should declare their intent to enroll in the program at the point of admission in order to have all required student fees waived, officials said.

For more information, contact the Missouri State-West Plains admissions office at 417-255-7955 or toll free at 1-888-466-7897.

THE STAFF of Missouri State University-West Plains’ student services department won the “Highest Dollar Amount Raised” award in the departmental contest at the university’s 19th annual auction April 5. This is the fourth consecutive year the department has won the award. On hand for the plaque presentation were, front row from left, Drago College Store Manager Kathy Schloss, Food Services Manager Mozella Jett, Career Services Assistant Coordinator Alice Smith, and Financial Aid Clerk Becky Craig; back row: Dean of Student Services Dr. Herb Lunday, Coordinator of Student Life & Development Rogers Taylor, Registrar Shanna Dale, Coordinator of Admissions Melissa Jett and Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Yancey Walker. (Missouri State-West Plains Photo)

WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Over $27,000 was raised during Missouri State University-West Plains’ 19th annual auction April 5 at the West Plains Opera House, auction organizers said.

Sponsored by Café 37, more than 200 people attended the “Be True to Your School” rock ‘n’ roll-themed event, which included silent and live auctions and a meal, organizers said.  One of the featured items on the block that evening was a Vahan diamond bracelet donated by Carter’s Jewel Chest in Mtn. Home, Ark., which brought in $2,450, organizers added.

Proceeds from the auction will be used to support and enhance property growth within the university’s master footprint, organizers said, adding a portion of the proceeds also will be donated to the Tuttle Amphitheater Building Project and renovation and updating of the Garnett Library.

“We would like to thank everyone who participated in the auction,” said Joe Kammerer, director of Missouri State-West Plains’ development office.  “The wonderful results could not have been accomplished without the tireless efforts of our auction committee members.  The community members we serve gave of themselves, and that made this auction the success it was.  We look forward to continuing the celebration of our 50th anniversary year with all of our friends, alumni and supporters.”

Also among the items offered for sale at the auction were those donated by university departments and offices as part of a departmental contest.  For the fourth consecutive year, the student services division won the “Highest Dollar Amount Raised” award.  The four commemorative basketballs donated by the division garnered a total of $675, auction organizers said.

The history department won the “Top Auction Booster” award, which is a per capita award, organizers said.  The submission offered by the two people in that department brought in $109.  The total amount raised by all department donations was $1,348, organizers said.

Development office personnel blazed the way for improving department donation proceeds by obtaining sponsors for their donation.  Although not included in the departmental contest because of their sponsorship of the event, development office staff partnered with auction committee members to put together a “Downton Abbey”-themed interactive dinner, which sold for $875.  In an exciting turn of events, a second dinner also was sold to the second highest bidder.  The two dinners brought in a total of $1,750, organizers said.  The dinners’ sponsors were Dick Davidson, Sole Café and Broadway Formalwear.

“In order to create this fabulous dinner experience, we knew we needed sponsors,” explained Amanda Niemotka, events coordinator for the development office.  “I hope other departments will follow our lead and obtain sponsors for their donations.  This makes department donation possibilities truly endless.”

Those departments have just over 10 months to plan their donations for next year’s event.  Organizers have set the 2014 annual auction date for April 11 at the West Plains Opera House and the fundraising goal at $30,000.  The theme of the 20th annual auction will be “Mad Hat” and will give those planning to attend the opportunity to wear any type of hat they want – silly, fun, beautiful.  The possibilities are only bounded by the imagination, organizers said.

Members of the 2013 annual auction planning committee were Heather Bennett, Ruby Collins, Stephanie Cundall, Jackie Grisham, Cindy McFarland, Haley Mitchell, Barbara Nyden, Connie Pfeifer and Kathy Schloss, as well as development office staff members Kammerer, Niemotka, Debbie Martin, Debra Mosley, Susan Turner and Melissa Hinton.  Other auction volunteers from the community included Bev and Rick Hamby, Vicki Kimes and Heather Peugh.