☕️ Memorial Day Weekend

Good Morning, Joplin. Like every year, we want to take this intro to remind you that this weekend’s not all about the lake, backyard BBQs, and relaxing. We encourage you to remember the men and women of our armed forces who never made it home so we could enjoy this freedom we so often take for granted.

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• Food for kids all summer

• American flag retirement ceremony

• MO lawmakers talk data centers

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who is going to take advantage of the long weekend to do yard work.

🃏⚾ Joplin EXPO Pokémon & Sports Card Show

Saturday, May 23 | Joplin Expo
📍 101 N Rangeline Rd, Joplin

Calling all collectors! Case Hit Promotions is bringing one of the region’s biggest trading card events to Joplin with 100 tables of vendors from Missouri and surrounding states. Browse Pokémon cards, sports cards, memorabilia, collectibles, and more—all under one roof.

🎟️ Early Access (9–10 AM): $10
🎟️ General Admission (10 AM–5 PM): $5
👧 Kids 15 & under FREE
🚗 Free parking

Whether you’re hunting grails, ripping packs, trading with friends, or just diving into the hobby, this is a can’t-miss day for collectors of all ages.

Community Invited to American Flag Retirement Ceremony

Troop 34 is inviting the community to take part in a respectful and meaningful American Flag Retirement Ceremony at Ozark Memorial Park.

Residents are encouraged to bring worn, faded, or damaged American flags to be properly retired according to traditional flag retirement customs. The ceremony’s retirement fire is expected to begin around 7:00 PM, offering a chance for the community to gather in honor of the nation’s flag and the values it represents.

Organizers say the event is also an opportunity for younger generations to learn the proper traditions and respect surrounding flag retirement. It’s a simple but meaningful ceremony centered on patriotism, service, and community.

🥪 Joplin Schools Will Feed Kids All Summer Long

As the school year wraps up, Joplin Schools is once again stepping in to help fill a major summer need: making sure local kids still have access to meals when school cafeterias close.

Beginning next week, the district will offer free breakfast and lunch to anyone 18 and under throughout the summer—regardless of what school they attend or whether they live in Joplin. Nutrition Services Director Tina Sjorlund says planning for the program starts months in advance to ensure students continue receiving balanced meals that include protein, fruits, vegetables, and milk.

The need is significant. According to Bright Futures Joplin, more than 650 local students per week relied on snack packs and weekend food bags during the school year. For many families, summer can make food insecurity even more difficult as household budgets stretch to cover housing, transportation, and medical expenses.

Amanda Stone of Bright Futures summed it up simply: “Food is everything. Food is life.”

For many local families, programs like this become one of the most important support systems of the summer.

🎬 A Mystery Pixar Movie is Showing

Movie on the Green: Wheels & Reels | Thursday, June 18 | Cornell Complex

Connect2Culture and Spiva Center for the Arts are teaming up for a family-friendly outdoor movie night celebrating 100 years of Route 66.

The event, called Movie on the Green: Wheels & Reels, takes place on the Leggett & Platt Green at the Cornell Complex on Thursday, June 18. Gates open at 7:30 PM, with the movie beginning around 8:30 PM. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy lawn games, sidewalk chalk, snacks, and a special Disney Pixar screening under the stars.

There’s one catch: due to licensing rules, organizers legally can’t advertise the movie title. But considering the Route 66 theme and the event title “Wheels & Reels”… you can probably make an educated guess. 🚗💨

Suggested donation is $5 per person, and no outside food or drinks will be allowed.

🍩 Local Lawmakers Talk Data Centers, Infrastructure & Missouri’s Future

Two of the area’s top state lawmakers weighed in Thursday on one of the hottest topics in Jasper County right now: proposed data centers. During the latest Donuts & Delegates event hosted by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Senator Jill Carter and Representative Lane Roberts discussed the ongoing debate surrounding large-scale developments proposed near Wildwood Ranch and between La Russell and Sarcoxie.

Both lawmakers emphasized caution, particularly around questions involving water usage, energy demand, infrastructure strain, and zoning impacts. Carter pointed to growing national concerns around data center expansion and even referenced Maine’s temporary moratorium on new projects while impacts are studied. Roberts echoed the need for proof that utilities and infrastructure can support the developments before construction moves forward.

The conversation came during a broader recap of Missouri’s recent legislative session, which both lawmakers described as productive. It also marked Roberts’ final legislative session before term limits end his time in office. Full story here.

Friday: 🌡️ 61 | 74 🌧️ 90%

Saturday: 🌡️ 60 | 76 🌧️ 75%

Sunday: 🌡️ 61 | 81 ⛅️ 

Monday: 🌡️ 60 | 82 ⛅️ 

Recap:

🥎 Softball (51-8) at NCAA DII Central Super Regional
Thursday 5/21 at HOME vs Central Oklahoma | L 8-4

👟 Men’s & Women’s Track & Field
Thursday 5/21 at NCAA Outdoor Championships | Results

Upcoming:

🥎 Softball (51-8) at NCAA DII Central Super Regional
Friday 5/22 at HOME vs Central Oklahoma | 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM

👟 Men’s & Women’s Track & Field
Friday 5/22 and Saturday 5/23 at NCAA Outdoor Championships

Friday

🕯️ Hope Memorial Remembrance Ceremony: Join the community for an evening of remembrance and reflection honoring those impacted by the May 22, 2011 Joplin tornado. The event will include keynote speakers, the unveiling of Hope Memorial plans, and time to gather together in healing and hope.

🍖 Operation BBQ Relief Returns to Joplin: Fifteen years after the tornado that inspired its creation, Operation BBQ Relief is returning to Joplin to serve free barbecue meals and honor the community’s resilience. Join survivors, first responders, and neighbors at Cunningham Park for an afternoon of remembrance, reflection, and fellowship.

🎨 Studio 55: Open Studio: Adults 55+ are invited to enjoy a relaxed creative session with open studio time, shared supplies, and a welcoming social atmosphere. Bring your own project or experiment with new materials while creating alongside other local artists.

Friday & Saturday

🏁 Ozark Crane Memorial Weekend Classic: Celebrate 60 years of drag racing action at Mo-Kan Dragway with jet-powered funny cars, the Hot Rod Fire Truck Wheelstander, and nonstop bracket racing. It’s a high-speed Memorial Day weekend packed with roaring engines, smoke, and family-friendly excitement.

Saturday

🎸 Bands For Brothers 7: Head to Wards Water Park for a full day of live music, community spirit, and support for local veterans. This growing annual event brings people together for great bands, meaningful causes, and an unforgettable Memorial Day weekend atmosphere.

🌱 Ozark Soul Native Plant Sale: Browse a huge selection of regional native plants at the Shoal Creek Conservation & Education Center while learning how to create pollinator-friendly landscapes. Pre-orders are welcome, and experts will be on-site to help gardeners of all experience levels find the perfect plants for their space.

🌻 Neosho Farmers Market: Spend your Saturday morning exploring fresh-picked produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, and locally raised meats in historic downtown Neosho. This producer-only market brings together local farmers and makers for a welcoming, community-focused shopping experience.

🎨 Creativity Unlimited: This welcoming art class for neurodivergent young adults focuses on creativity, self-expression, and exploration in a calm, supportive environment. This month’s project features string pull painting, a fun process-based technique that creates colorful abstract designs with no experience required.

🐠 Mini Makers: Saturday Edition: Little artists ages 2–5 can explore creativity through playful, hands-on art activities in this fun and sensory-friendly class. This month’s “Fantastic Yarn Fish” project encourages imagination, confidence, and creative curiosity in a relaxed environment.

Friday

Blues Doctors
Mi Torito | 5:30 PM

George Brothers
HoneyPop’s Bar & Grill | 6:00 PM

Ryan and Leesa
Beard Engine | 6:30 PM

RHP
Bricks and Brews | 8:00 PM

Matteson Gregory
Osage Spring | 8:00 PM

Trett Charles
Kansas Crossing Casino | 8:00 PM

Stonehorse Band
Downstream Casino 8:30 PM

Chase Carlisle, Bo Yellis, Mike Freis, Drew Baxter, and Bryce Howell
Blackthorn Pizza & Pub | 9:00 PM

Saturday

Will Wadkins
Christine’s Vineyard | 6:00 PM

Wyatt Stout
Keltoi Winery | 6:00 PM

Sweet N Spicy
Jeep Beach | 6:00 PM

Blues Doctors
Turtleheads Raw Bar | 7:00 PM

D’Elegantz
Downstream Casino | 8:30 PM

Why Bother, EdgeOverEdge, and The Collective
Blackthorn Pizza & Pub | 9:00 PM

Sunday

Zane Grimes
Rumors Cocktail Lounge | 2:00 PM

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THANKS!

Thank you for reading JOMO Jive today. See you again Tuesday!