Category Archives: Area News

Centennial Celebration Freeman Respects Past while Embracing a Bright Future  

 

                                     

Joplin, MO. – Joplin, MO. – Under the banner of “A Century of Service, A Legacy of Caring,” Freeman Health System celebrated 100 years of health care in style Thursday morning with an outdoor rededication ceremony.

The gathering included more than 150 guests, including trusted community partners, state and local dignitaries, several direct descendants of Freeman Health System’s founder, John W. Freeman, and past and current Freeman team members – all stakeholders to the progress and success of the System over the past 100 years.

“Over the past 100 years, we have witnessed extraordinary progress in healthcare – from rudimentary treatments to groundbreaking surgical techniques, from limited diagnostics to advanced imaging, and from basic patient care to holistic wellness program,” said Matt Fry, Freeman Health System’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Freeman has not only kept pace but has often led the way.”

The 75-bed Freeman Hospital, attached to John W. Freeman’s 18-room Joplin home, opened to the public in 1925 at 2008 Sergeant Ave. The hospital employed a staff of 19 nurses and five surgeons/physicians.

“We started as a small, local hospital, and today, we stand as a leading regional health system, continually expanding our services, embracing new technologies, and setting new standards for patient care,” Fry concluded.

Here in 2025, noted Joplin historian Brad Belk, “I suspect that the father of Freeman Health System, John W. Freeman, would be astonished of how far Freeman Hospital has traveled since 1925. How could he possibly comprehend that his gift to our community would lead to employing 5,300 workers in three states at thirty locations?”

Dr. Lance Beshore, chairman of the Board of Directors for Freeman Health System, called the health system’s centennial celebration a “truly monumental milestone” for the community. To that end, Freeman was recognized with a City of Joplin proclamation from Mayor Keenan Cortez. A second proclamation was presented to Fry by Cortez from Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe.

“One hundred years. One century of healing, service, and unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our community,” Dr. Beshore said. “As we look around this gathering, it’s impossible not to feel the presence of all those who came before us – the visionary founders who, a century ago, embarked on a journey driven by a simple yet powerful ideal: To provide compassionate and advanced healthcare to Southwest Missouri and beyond. They laid the bedrock of what would become Freeman Health System with courage, foresight, and an incredible spirit of generosity. We admire their tenacity, their dedication, and the foundational values they instilled, which continue to guide us to this very day.”

During his speech, Belk hit upon several key moments that helped expand Freeman from a single hospital facility into a thriving health system that serves as the region’s single largest employer.

  • When Joplin businessman Myron McIntosh donated 20 acres in 1969 and a construction drive spearheaded by TAMKO executive and Freeman board member Leland Browne raised $1.2 million that eventually resulted in the opening of a two-story, 120,000-square-foot, 144-room hospital at 1102 W. 32nd Street in 1975.
  • The acquisition of Neosho’s Sale Hospital in 1993, becoming Freeman Neosho Hospital.
  • The merger of Freeman Hospital with Oak Hill Hospital in 1995, becoming Freeman East, and creating Freeman Health System.

 

“This is truly a celebratory occasion,” Belk said. “We should always recognize how we arrived here today, to never forget our past and to always celebrate the landmark moments that define us and make us unique.”

Thursday, added Dr. Beshore, is not a day just for remembrance, but for renewal.

“It is a promise to our community that the legacy of compassionate, excellent healthcare will not only endure but will flourish,” he said.

Calling Freeman’s history a “remarkable feat,” Fry said none of Freeman’s success over the last 100 years could have happened without a team approach from every facet of society.

“How have we achieved this remarkable feat? It’s simple, yet profound. It’s because of you,” Fry said. “To our founders, whose vision laid the groundwork; to every colleague and volunteer, past and present, who has walked these halls; to our board members, our generous donors, and our invaluable community partners; and most importantly, to the millions of patients and families who have entrusted us with their care – my deepest appreciation goes out to each and every one of you. You are the heartbeat of Freeman Health System.”

 

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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.

 

The 2025 General Funds application is available until June 30th!

CFSEK Grantee Story Series:

Columbus Schools Park Elementary, Sensory Room Success

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is excited to continue our series of articles highlighting the great work done by some of our grantees in Southeast Kansas communities. Our next grantee to highlight is Columbus USD 493 Park Elementary School, recipient of a 2024 General Funds grant focused on Youth Activities for their sensory room project.

Have you ever seen a space that just wasn’t put to full use? You don’t even have to have a plan for it; you just know that it isn’t being used to its full potential? Well, Park Elementary Special Edudation (SPED) teacher Rylee Crain saw an empty office space in her classroom and had an idea. Park Elementary had a “quiet room” for students who needed that space, but the data showed it wasn’t having the intended effect.

“I looked at this office turned storage room in my classroom and thought I could do something exciting,” Crain said. Crain went to her principal to share her idea for a sensory room in this space, and her principal was on board. “She really encouraged me to apply for grants and to move forward with the project.”

With grant funding, Crain was able to purchase a couch, a ball pit, soft lighting, and several other items that would have been hard to get without grant funding. All of these are tools to help children to re-regulate and work through their emotional state.

“This room allows kids to re-regulate their emotions, and work on strategies to help them self-regulate,” Crain said.

The data from kids using the quiet room showed repeated use with little to no improvement in behavior or academics, whereas data from usage of the sensory room showed progress in frequency and improved behavior and academics.

“There was a little boy that would use the sensory room early in the year, and we worked on strategies to help him self-regulate his emotions while in the sensory room,” Crain said. “Eventually, he didn’t need to use it. He came and saw me at the end of the year to thank me, and we had the biggest hug! I’ll never forget that!”

While the sensory room is located in the SPED classroom, Crain wanted to make the space available to everyone.

“I sent out a building-wide email saying that the space is open and available to every kid,” she said. “We want every child to have the tools they need to be successful, and the sensory room can and should be one of those tools!” Teachers can even use the space as a reward for their students. “I have seen so many relationships grow throughout the building because of this, and it makes it feel so worth it!”

Crain talked about improving the check-in/check-out system next year as well. “We want to add a folder system on the door so kids can identify how they are feeling and then have a list of tools they can use in the sensory room,” she said. “This lets each kid get what they need!”

Crain helped complete the project and is now moving to another school in the district for the upcoming year. “I won’t be teaching SPED next year, but I already plan to replicate this project in my new building because I’ve seen the results firsthand!”

Crain stressed that the grant funding received made this project possible. “While we had some funds, without this grant money, we would not have been able to have the completed room within the year. This gave kids the best opportunity to be successful all year long,” she said.

CFSEK’s 2025 General Funds grant cycle application is available until June 30th. More information about the General Funds cycle is available at SoutheastKansas.org/GF.

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas awarded over $2 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2024 and has facilitated over $25 million in total granting to Southeast Kansas since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with various charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. The Columbus Area, Fort Scott Area, and Girard Area Community Foundations are affiliates of CFSEK. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.

Evergy Invites Comments on Raising Rates


KCC will hold its final public hearing on Evergy’s
rate increase request Monday evening in Topeka

TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) will hold its final public hearing on Evergy’s rate increase request on Monday, June 16 in Topeka.  The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at Washburn Institute of Technology, located at 5724 SW Huntoon Street.

Evergy filed an application with the Commission in January seeking a $196.4 million (8.62%) rate increase. If approved as filed, the new electric rates would take effect in September 2025, resulting in an average monthly increase of $13.05 for residential customers.

At the hearing, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the company’s rate increase request, ask questions and make comments before the Commission. The public is invited to attend in person or participate virtually on Zoom (registration is required to attend virtually). The hearing will also be broadcast live on the KCC’s YouTube channel. Registration is not required to attend in person or view on YouTube.

The Commission will accept written comments through 5 p.m. on July 14. To register to participate in the hearing via Zoom, make a public comment online or find additional information on the application, go to the Commission’s website (www.kcc.ks.gov) and click on the “Your Opinion Matters” tab.

The Commission will issue an order on the application on or before September 29, 2025.

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CFSEK Launches 2025 General Funds Grant Cycle

 

Since 2001, the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) has hosted the annual CFSEK General Funds grant cycle supporting a wide variety of projects. Since inception, the General Funds grant cycle has awarded over $1.9 million to projects across Southeast Kansas!

This grant cycle has 3 focus areas: Arts & Culture, Basic Human Needs, and Youth Activities.

“Year after year, we are deeply impressed by the dedication and impact of our nonprofit partners throughout Southeast Kansas,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “It’s a privilege to once again announce the opening of our General Funds grant opportunity. These grants offer support for the crucial programs and services that enhance the quality of life in our region.”

Applications are available at SoutheastKansas.org/Grant-App, and more information about the fund and lists of previous recipient projects are available at SoutheastKansas.org/GF.

Applications for the 2025 General Funds grant cycle are available online via CFSEK’s portal until midnight on June 30th. Questions regarding the grant applications should be directed to CFSEK Program Coordinator Kara Mishmash at SoutheastKansas.org/Contact/Kara.

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Apprehended: Minimum-Custody Resident Anthony Mansfield

~Mansfield was taken into custody by US Marshalls in KCMO~

KANSAS CITY, MO. – Anthony Mansfield, a minimum-custody resident of the Johnson County Department of Corrections (JCDOC) Adult Residential Center (ARC) has been apprehended.

Mansfield was taken into custody Wednesday night, June 4, 2025, by U.S. Marshalls in Kansas City, Missouri. He was arrested without incident.

Mansfield was placed on escape status after not returning to the facility Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

No other details are being released as the investigation is ongoing.

Anthony Mansfield Escaped From Johnson County Work Release Facility

 

Minimum-Custody Resident Anthony Mansfield Escaped From Johnson County Work Release Facility After Not Returning To the Facility

~KDOC resident Anthony Mansfield placed on escape status~

NEW CENTURY, Kansas. – Kansas Department of Corrections resident Anthony Mansfield has been placed on escape status at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, after not returning to the Johnson County Department of Corrections (JCDOC) Adult Residential Center (ARC) or reporting to his job yesterday.

Mansfield, a 36-year old white male, is considered dangerous. He was reported missing when the resident could not be located at the minimum-security unit. This walkaway does not impact the security or operations of the medium-maximum secure compound.

Mansfield is 5-feet, 8-inches tall, and weighs 185 pounds with an average build. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with black designs, long black sleeve undershirt, brown boots, brown baseball hat and stonewashed jeans .

Mansfield was convicted in Johnson County for eight-months of incarceration for criminal damage to property convictions. He is serving that sentence at the JCDOC-ARC from which he walked away. Under an agreement between the KDOC and JCDOC, residents who have release plans that are appropriate to Johnson County are housed at the ARC.

Anyone with information on Mansfield can call EAI at 816-266-2102, JCDOC at 913-715-6539, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.

Kansans can also contact EAI via email at [email protected].

The walk-away is being investigated.  New information will be released as it becomes available. 

Photo

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Local Students Graduate From Freeman Health System Nursing School

Some of the nearly 30 nurses who will be joining Freeman Health System once they pass their NCLEX exams. Submitted phot

 

Mission Accomplished

Dozens of New Graduate Nurses Recognized During Special Ceremony  

 

Joplin, MO. – Nearly 30 nurses were warmly welcomed into the Freeman fold Tuesday night during a graduation ceremony that’s unique to this area.

Resembling athletic signing day celebrations often seen at high schools and universities nationwide, these graduate nurses – who have completed their two years of schooling but have yet to take their National Council Licensure Examinations (NCLEX) to become registered nurses – inked their signatures on dotted lines while loved ones looked on and future Freeman co-workers cheered and applauded their accomplishments.

“I am very appreciative of those around me and how hard they’ve worked to become nurses,” said Camrie Davis, a graduate nurse who will work for Freeman orthopaedics. “Anybody who you went to school with, they all become a sort of fellowship to you.”

Nurses serve as linchpins to any functional hospital or healthcare system, said Freeman Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Fry, speaking to the assembled graduate nurses and their families at the Ron Richard Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus.

“A patient spends five percent of their time with physician and about 95 percent of their time with a nurse or nurse tech,” Fry said, “So, it is truly vital to us that we bring nurses into our system who are consistent with our mission, vision, values. I think we’re confident today that everyone joining the team fits that bill.”

The graduate nurses recognized during the ceremony included: Shelby Blythe, Karen Gonzalez, Aiddenn Vanatta, Jadyn Fox, Victorea Stephenson, Jaylen Evans, Adeline Vanderpool, Karleigh Schoenberger, Paige McIntire, Amber Opel, Alexia Ingold, Esmeralda Martinez, Jacob Pearce, Danielle Russell, Mickayley McCluney, Heather Autry, Blair Wilson, Taylor Young, Madison Burkhart, Amanda Weaver, Rylie Tyer, Dylan Byrd, Camrie Davis, Molly Kesler, Mackenzie Droessler, Megan Blair, Brittney Clark, and Anistyn Honey.

To learn more about Freeman Health System’s nursing programs, visit freemanhealth.com.

 

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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.

 

 

The SEKnFind Newsletter May 2025

We hope you enjoy this newsletter sent as a courtesy to adult patrons of a southeast Kansas library using the SEKnFind catalog.
This selection of titles are NEW at a SEKnFind library and available for a hold.
Need assistance? Your local librarian can show you how!
Happy Reading!

New Fiction

A town with half the lights on : a novel
by Page Getz

“For readers of J. Ryan Stradal and The Music of Bees (with a dash of FX’s The Bear) comes a quirky and refreshing epistolary novel about family of culture-shocked Brooklynites transplanted to Goodnight, Kansas and their fight for their unexpected lifeline: the legendary May Day Diner. Welcome to Goodnight, Kansas. Population: Many Kansans, three New Yorkers, and one chance to save the place they love most.”

The retirement plan : a novel
by Sue Hincenbergs

Three best friends turn to murder to collect on their husbands’ life insurance policies, but the husbands have a plan of their own.

The other people : a novel
by C. B. Everett

Ten strangers awaken in a locked, eerie house with no memory of their arrival, tasked with solving a young woman’s disappearance while evading a relentless killer and uncovering the truth about their connection to the deadly game.

Run for the hills : a novel
by Kevin Wilson

Madeline Hill and her mom have lived alone on their farm in Coalfield, Tennessee, since her dad left; one day Reuben Hill pulls up in a PT Cruiser and announces she’s his half-sister, and he wants Mad to join him for a crazy road trip to find their father and half siblings.

The float test : a novel
by Lynn Steger Strong

“The Kenner siblings are at odds. Jenn is a harried mom struggling under the weight of family obligations. Fred is a novelist who can’t write, maybe because she’s lost faith in storytelling itself. Jude is a recovering corporate lawyer with her own story to tell, and a grudge against her former favorite sister, Fred. George, the baby, is estranged from his wife and harboring both a secret about his former employer and an ill-advised crush on one of his sisters’ friends. Gathered after a major loss, each sibling needs the others more than ever–if only they could trust each other”

Summer in the city
by Alex Aster

When 27-year-old screenwriter Elle returns to New York City and runs into polar opposite Parker Warren, a hookup from two years ago, she realizes he’s her twisted muse, so when he needs a fake relationship during his company’s acquisition, they agree to spend the summer together

The lamb : a novel
by Lucy Rose

In their secluded forest cottage, Margot and her mother welcome“strays,” lost travelers whom Mama feeds and ultimately consumes, but when a striking stranger named Eden arrives during a snowstorm, Margot must confront her family’s dark practices and assert her own desires.

Lightfall
by Ed Crocker

Discovering a conspiracy surrounding the death of the ruler’s son in vampire city First Light, palace maid Sam blackmails her way into a better class and better blood, joining with rebel maids, a sorcerer lacking in magic but skilled in deduction, a werewolf assassin and a countess who knows the city’s secrets.

Grave empire
by Richard Swan

As a mysterious plague spreads and war looms, Ambassador Renata Rainer must seek answers from practitioners of the arcane arts to prevent an ancient prophecy, the Great Silence, from bringing the Empire to ruin. Original. 20,000 first printing.

Fever beach : a novel
by Carl Hiaasen

A dim-witted Proud Boys reject becomes entangled in a bizarre web of corruption and intrigue involving a hitchhiker, a con artist, an eccentric millionaire and a power-hungry politician in the new novel by the best-selling author of Bad Monkey.

The silversmith’s puzzle
by Nev March

Captain Jim Agnihotri and Lady Diana Framji return to India as they investigate a murder amidst colonial Bombay’s complex hierarchy.

The country under heaven : a novel
by Frederic S. Durbin

“Set in the 1880s, the story follows Ovid Vesper, a former Union soldier who has been having enigmatic visions after surviving one of the Civil War’s most gruesome battles, the Battle of Antietam. As he travels across the country following those visions,he finds himself in stranger and increasingly more dangerous encounters with other worlds hidden in the spaces of his own mind, not to mention the dangers of the Wild West. Ovid brings his steady calm and compassion as he helps the people of a broken country, rapidly changing but, like himself, still reeling and wounded from the war. He assists with matters of all sorts, from odd jobs around the house, to guiding children back to their own universe, to hunting down unnatural creatures that stalk the night–all the while seeking his own personal resolution and peace from his visions. Ovid’s epic journey across the American West with a surprising cast of characters blends elements of the classic Western with historical fantasy in a way like no other”

New Audiobooks

My friends : a novel
by Fredrik Backman

“Most people don’t even notice them-three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous paintings in the world. Most people think it’s just a depiction of the sea. But Louisa, an artist herself, knows otherwise and she is determined to find out the story of these three enigmatic figures.”

Shield of Sparrows
by Devney Perry

Long ago, the gods unleashed monsters upon the five kingdoms of Calandra to remind us that humans are insignificant. I didn’t need a deity to remind me I was powerless. Being a princess had never been more than a performance. Until the day a prince walked into my father’s throne room and ruined my life. The day I married a stranger, signed a magical treaty in blood, and set off across the continent to the most treacherous kingdom in all the realm.

Hidden Nature
by Nora Roberts

“Natural Resources police officer, Sloan Cooper, and her partner had just taken down three men preying on hikers in the Western Maryland mountains. Driving back, she pulled in at a convenience store and walked right into a robbery in progress. One gunshot from a jittery thief was about to change her world. After being shocked back to life on the operating table, she has a long recovery ahead, so she moves back to her parents’ peaceful house in Heron’s Rest. As for the boyfriend who dumped her via text while she was in the hospital, good riddance. She may be down, but she’s not out. So, when a woman vanishes, leaving her car behind in a supermarket parking lot, Sloan searches online for similar cases. She finds them, spread across three states. And the abductions keep happening. Luckily, the new man in her life shares her passion for solving this mystery. But it will take every ounce of endurance to get to the dark heart of this bizarre case and she’s willing to risk her life again if that’s what it takes to stop the horror.”

New Nonfiction

Reading for Our Lives : The Urgency of Early Literacy and the Action Plan to Help Your Child
by Maya Payne Smart

“Today’s children face intense pressure to meet rising academic standards and prepare for future careers, but most fall dangerously short. Early struggles with language and literacy often snowball into lasting disadvantages. Millions of U.S. kids don’t learn to read well in elementary school, driving low adult literacy rates and threatening the nation’s economic productivity, public health, and social equity. In Reading for Our Lives, journalist Maya Payne Smart shows that the literacy crisis starts at home. Reading for Our Lives delivers a clear call to action and a path forward for families, schools, and communities to beat the literacy crisis together.”

Mysteries of the national parks : 35 stories of baffling disappearances, unexplained phenomena, and more
by Mike Bezemek

“For outdoor adventurers, national parks lovers, and fans of fascinating true stories, MYSTERIES OF THE NATIONAL PARKS is a collection of 40 fascinating tales from America’s national parks, including disappearances, mysterious happenings, and supernatural presences”

No more tears : the dark story of Johnson & Johnson
by Gardiner Harris

In this blistering exposé, an award-winning investigative journalist uncovers reams of evidence showing decades of Johnson & Johnson’s deceitful and dangerous corporate practices that have threatened the lives of millions.

The Apothecary’s Garden : The Science and Mythology of Medicinal Plants
by Emma Wayland

“A curious history of plants that heal, ‘The apothecary’s garden’ explores the science and mythology of over 60 species–from soothing hops, chamomile and valerian to immunity-boosting turmeric, meadowsweet and turkey tail mushroom. Featuring botanical illustrations from the archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and weird and wonderful remedies and images from medical archives, this is a fascinating exploration of nature’s pharmacy”

How to break up with your phone
by Catherine Price

A practical hands-on plan for readers looking to create a healthy relationship with their cellphone provides information on identifying goals and priorities and being more mindful with phone use

Baking across America : a vintage recipe road trip
by B. Dylan Hollis

“From the deserts of the Southwest to the shining Atlantic Coast, the USA is as sweet as it gets. In this tour de food, B. Dylan Hollis takes you on a delicious road trip to taste everything from the coffee-crazed creations of the Pacific Northwest to the larger-than-life sheet cakes of Texas. You’ll be hitting the pavement in vintage style as you journey with Dylan through the culture capitals of America to savor the very best bakes the nation has to offer. His retro recipes span the decades from the 1900s to the 2000s and feature famous (and forgotten) desserts from every state. With his signature wry humor, Dylan explores the US and uncovers the history of nostalgic local favorites, including Boston Cream Pie on the cobbled streets of Beantown, Beignets in the sultry heat of jazzy New Orleans, and Date Cream scooped up poolside in Palm Springs”

Meditative drawing : learn to draw mandalas and other patterns that foster calm and creativity
by Lizzie Snow

“Meditative Drawing shows step by step how to create mesmerizing mandalas and other nature-inspired designs while reducing stress and increasing creativity”

The book of alchemy : a creative practice for an inspired life
by Suleika Jaouad

Explores the transformative power of journaling, blending the author’s insights with essays and prompts from 100 writers, artists, and thinkers, offering guidance to navigate life’s challenges, embrace creativity, and uncover deeper self-awareness through themes of beginnings, love, loss, and renewal. Illustrations.

The art spy : the extraordinary untold tale of WWII resistance hero Rose Valland
by Michelle Young

A saga set in Paris during World War II uncovers how an unlikely heroine infiltrated the Nazi leadership to save the world’s most treasured masterpieces.

Snafu : the definitive guide to history’s greatest screwups
by Ed Helms

“History contains a plethora of insane screwups-otherwise known as SNAFUs. Coined during World War I, SNAFU is an acronym that stands for Situation Normal: All F*cked Up. In other words, “things are pretty screwed up, but aren’t they always?” Spanning from the 1950’s to the 2000’s, Ed Helms steps in as unofficial history teacher for a deep dive into each decade’s craziest SNAFUs. From planting nukes on the moon to training felines as CIA spies to weaponizing the weather, this book will unpack the incredibly ironic decision-making and hilariously terrifying aftermath of America’s biggest mishaps. Filled with sharp humor and lively illustrations, SNAFU is a wild ride through time that not only entertains but offers fresh insights that just might prevent history from repeating itself again and again”

Even more reading suggestions

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Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Hosts Annual Spring Fundraiser, Boardwalk BBQ

 

A crowd of 158 attended the 2025 Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation annual spring fundraiser on a new night, Friday, April 4th.  For a second year, the event was held at the SEK Impact Center with doors opening at 5:30 pm.  Décor was provided by Lisa Wolverton of Hitch and Hoedown Rentals.  Approximately $13,568 was raised during the evening from stretch, silent, and live auctions.  For the first time, Robbie Bell provided entertainment throughout the evening.  Her performance was enjoyed by all.  Those in attendance received gift certificates to Wellness Journey, a new spa located in Chanute, KS. 

 

Attendees were treated to a delicious meal of bacon-wrapped chicken, coleslaw, baked beans, lettuce salad, and roll furnished by C & S Traveling Kitchen.  Dessert was mini-bundt cakes in three flavors, provided by Brenda Harrison, TVDS Director of Programming.  Neosho County Community College students helped serve the meal.  Door prizes were courtesy of the TVDS greenhouse in Fort Scott. 

 

As in year’s past, the live auction was the highlight of the evening.  Dave Petersen served as auctioneer and did a fantastic job.  For 2025, we added two new trips courtesy of Monarch Cement; a trip for two to Nashville and a trip for two to Las Vegas.  Other items auctioned off include:  a Breckenridge CO vacation package courtesy of Home Savings Bank; a Branson MO vacation package courtesy of Community National Bank; a full-size recliner courtesy of Ruddick’s Furniture in Fort Scott; and Dinner for 10 courtesy of Brenda Harrison.  Thank you to the local merchants that provided gift baskets for both the silent and stretch auctions.  Thank you to Larry Holman for serving as the evening’s photographer.  The pictures are amazing. 

 

All money raised from the evening will go towards the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation projects.  Since 2001, the Foundation has built six homes and acquired nine additional homes and a duplex.  The houses are located in our communities of Buffalo, Chanute, Fort Scott, Humboldt, Iola, Moline, and Neodesha.  These houses are home to 81 of our neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services. 

 

“The evening was fantastic”, said Bill Fiscus, CEO. “The food, drawings and conversation were phenomenal.  Thank you to everyone who attended.  We hope you had an enjoyable evening and look forward to seeing you all in 2026.” 

 

A big thank you goes to the evening’s sponsors.  Promenade Level:  Monarch Cement Company and David & Beth Toland

Colonnade Level: Community National Bank – Chanute, Hofer & Hofer & Associates, Larry Holman, Home Savings Bank, IMA, Dave Peterson Auction Services, Steve Faulkner Ford, and SEK Impact Center.

Esplandae Level: Ash Grove, Cardinal Drug, Community National Bank – Eureka, Hitch & Hoedown, Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, CPA, and Wellness Journey.

Arcade Level: Cheney Witt Chapel

 

 

 

Inspire Health Summer Camps – Registration Now Open!

Give your student a summer to remember with CHC/SEK’s Inspire Health Summer Camps! Kids will explore exciting healthcare careers through hands-on activities led by local health professionals–including nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, and medical and
dental residents.

Inspire Health Kids Camp is for students entering Kindergarten through 6th grade, while Inspire Health Academy is designed for junior high and high schoolers.
Students can choose from three summer camps, each designed to fit their grade level.

All camps will be held at the John Parolo Education Center, 3015 N. Michigan in Pittsburg.

• Inspire Health Kids Camp (Entering Kindergarten – 2nd Grade)
Dates: July 1st – 3rd
Time: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Cost: $120
• Inspire Health Kids Camp (Entering 3rd – 6th Grade)
Dates: July 22nd – 25th
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $160
• Inspire Health Academy (Entering 7th – 12th Grade)
Dates: July 29th – August 1st
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $160
At Inspire Health Summer Camps, students of all ages explore the world of healthcare through fun, hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and engaging lessons led by CHC/SEK health professionals. Younger campers get a playful introduction to wellness and how the body works, while middle and high school students dive deeper with clinical simulations, creative projects, and career-focused sessions. It’s a unique opportunity to spark curiosity, build skills, and connect with mentors in the healthcare
field.
Space is limited for each camp and scholarships are available to request on the registration form. If you would like to gift a camp scholarship, visit
https://chcsek.org/donate/ and select the Inspire Health Foundation.
To register for any camp visit: https://chcsek.org/inspirehealth/camp-registration/

Inspire Health Foundation is a subsidiary of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. Learn more about Inspire Health.

About Inspire Health Foundation

Inspire Health Foundation, Inc. (IHF) is fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals by
connecting students with experts in the healthcare field. IHF sparks students’ interest in healthcare through camps, events, hands-on learning activities, and scholarships. By partnering with local
healthcare professionals and organizations, IHF provides students with the resources and pathways they need to succeed in their local healthcare systems and positively impact their communities. Founded in 2021, IHF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a subsidiary of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. To learn more, visit https://chcsek.org/inspirehealth.

Study will guide long-term success for Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital

Feasibility Study Initiated 

 

                                     

Joplin, MO. – Freeman Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Fry has initiated a comprehensive feasibility study to help strategically guide both development and long-term success of the proposed Southeast Kansas Hospital on the 55-acre Frontenac site.

 

The study will delve into all critical aspects of the $168 million hospital, including market dynamics of the region, consumer demand, construction cost validation, and operational sustainability.

 

According to Fry – who has been assessing and strategically coordinating efforts since joining Freeman two months ago – conducting this study “will best determine how to move forward in service to Southeast Kansas residents.”

 

A feasibility study is a standard and detailed analysis conducted prior to significant construction investment, examining all critical facets of a proposed building project.

 

The construction project is currently in the initial phase which includes site development, utilities, and roadways. Engineers are completing the Phase 1 environmental assessment of the site in Frontenac and are now in the process of geotechnical investigations of the subterranean condition.

 

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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.