☕️ Think You Could Find Treasure and Win $1000 in Joplin?

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Good Morning, Joplin. My wife and I saw The Devil Wears Prada 2 in theaters on Mothers Day. It was good, but don’t think it will reach the iconic status of the original. Then again, what sequel ever does? My hot take… Top Gun: Maverick.

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• Murphysburg Treasure Hunt

• Roots of Carthage

• SBA Loans for Joplin Businesses

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who agrees Anne Hathaway hasn’t aged in the last 20 years.

🎉 Will’s Place Block Party Returns to Mercy Park

Thursday, May 14 | Mercy Park, Joplin
🎟️ FREE & open to the public

Celebrate Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month with an afternoon of fun, connection, and community at the Will’s Place Block Party! Hosted by Will’s Place, a service of Freeman Health System’s Ozark Center, this family-friendly event is all about supporting local youth and families.

🌭 Free hot dogs
🎯 Games & activities
🎁 Giveaways
📸 Photo booth
🤝 Interactive vendor booths

Bring the whole family, meet local organizations, and enjoy a great time for an even greater cause.

🗺️ Hunt for History (and $1,000) in Murphysburg

Saturday, May 16 | 10:00 AM | Starts at Joplin City Hall

Ready to put your brain—and your sense of adventure—to the test? The Second Annual Murphysburg Treasure Hunt, hosted by Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc., turns downtown into a live-action puzzle course packed with local history.

Participants will solve riddles that lead them to landmarks across Joplin, scanning QR codes at each stop to unlock the next clue. The first to complete the full trail takes home $1,000, with $750 for second place and $250 for third—so yes, this is both fun and competitive.

The hunt begins in the west parking lot of Joplin City Hall and is open to all ages. Entry is $35 per person, with same-day registration available starting at 9:00 AM nearby. If you enjoy puzzles, local history, or just a good challenge, this is one of the more unique events on the calendar.

🎻 Arkansauce Brings High-Energy “Newgrass”

Saturday, May 16 | 8:00 PM | Cornell Complex (Leggett & Platt Green)

If you like your bluegrass with a little more edge, Arkansauce is bringing exactly that to Cornell Complex as part of the Cornell Series. This progressive string band blends bluegrass, funk, and roots influences into a sound that’s equal parts technical and energetic—think fast picking, tight harmonies, and a live show that leans heavily into improvisation.

Tickets range from $20–$35, with flexible options for seating—bring your own chair or reserve one onsite. Whether you’re a die-hard bluegrass fan or just want a unique outdoor concert experience, this one hits that sweet spot between laid-back and high-energy. Buy tickets here!

🍁 “Roots of Carthage” Art Reveal Celebrates Route 66

Friday, May 15 | 6:30–8:30 PM | Historic Carthage Square

Carthage is turning public art into an interactive experience with the “Roots of Carthage” Art Reveal, a new project celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. Hosted by the Route 66 Subcommittee of Tourism and Vision Carthage, this event will debut 21 large, artist-designed maple leaf installations across the Historic Carthage Square.

Each leaf highlights local history, landmarks, and must-see stops—turning the city into a passport-style scavenger hunt. Visitors will be able to pick up a booklet from the Boot’s Court Visitor Center and “check in” at each location as they explore. The reveal coincides with an evening art walk hosted by artCentral, making it a full night of creativity, community, and Route 66 nostalgia.

If you’re looking for something a little different—part art show, part city-wide adventure—this is a clever way to experience Carthage.

💼 SBA Disaster Loans Now Available for Local Businesses

Deadline: December 24 | Covers Jasper & Surrounding Counties

Small businesses and nonprofits across the region—including right here in Jasper County—now have access to low-interest federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans are part of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, designed to help organizations recover from financial losses tied to last year’s drought.

Eligible businesses, nonprofits, and even small agricultural co-ops can apply for up to $2 million in working capital, with interest rates as low as 4% (businesses) and 3.625% (nonprofits). Funds can be used for everyday expenses like payroll, rent, and bills—even if there was no physical damage. Payments are also deferred for the first 12 months, giving businesses some breathing room.

Applications are open now and must be submitted by December 24. If your business felt the impact of the drought, this could be a meaningful opportunity to stabilize and keep things moving forward. Click here to apply.

Tuesday: 🌡️ 53 | 78 ☀️ 

Wednesday: 🌡️ 57 | 77 ☀️ 

Thursday: 🌡️ 55 | 80 ⛅️ 

Recap:

🥎 Softball (48-7) at MIAA Championship Tournament
Thursday 5/7 vs Washburn University at MIAA Championship Tournament | W 2-1
Friday 5/8 vs Emporia State University | W 6-1
Saturday 5/9 vs Rogers State | W 4-1

👟 Men’s & Women’s Track & Field
Saturday 5/9 - Sunday 5/10 at Pittsburg State University | Results

Upcoming:

⚾️ Baseball (33-17) at NCAA DII Central Region
Thursday 5/14 vs Rogers State

🥎 Softball (48-7) at NCAA DII Central Region
Thursday 5/14 at HOME vs Augustana

We’d love to hear your feedback! Reply to this newsletter or take the poll to let us know how we’re doing!

Want to sponsor JOMO Jive? Send your inquiry to [email protected]

THANKS!

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