*Please remember to RSVP to help us plan effectively with our sponsors, caterers and hosts. If you do not receive a reminder email the Monday before the luncheon, you have not RSVP'd.

February 12th at 11:45 a.m., at El Jimador. Our sponsor will be the NextHome Team Ellis. Bring your business cards! RSVPs are required to attend. Please contact the Chamber Office to RSVP before 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 11th. Cost for luncheon is $20. Click Here to register.

Click Here to see the 2025 luncheon schedule.

Community Leadership Awards Banquet; Tickets on Sale Now!

The Waynesville - St. Robert Area Chamber of Commerce is preparing for its annual Community Leadership Awards Banquet. This memorable event will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025 at The ARK Community Center with social hour beginning at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. This event is held to commemorate the hard work and dedication to community exhibited by our area leaders, non-profit organizations and civic groups, as well as announces the Citizen of the Year.

Tickets for the Awards Banquet are now available at the Chamber Office. You must have a ticket to attend this event. Tickets will not be available at the door. Deadline to purchase tickets is February 7th. Tickets are $25.00 per person. For more information please contact the Chamber office at 573-336-5121 or e-mail chamber@wsrchamber.com.

National Civics Bee®; Student Essays Excepted Now!

The Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce invites Pulaski County, Missouri's 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to flex their civics knowledge and share their innovative ideas for improving their communities by participating in the National Civics Bee®. This exciting competition, hosted in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, offers students an opportunity to shine while fostering a deeper understanding of civics and community engagement.

The National Civics Bee® is a nonpartisan initiative designed to inspire young Americans to engage in civic life. Through this competition, students will demonstrate their understanding of civics and propose solutions to real-world community issues. The top-scoring essay finalists are invited to compete in our local event in April with a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. The finalist will then compete in the state event. The top winner from each state receives an invitation to compete in the national championship in Washington, DC, in the Fall of 2025.

Students can apply by submitting an essay outlining their ideas for improving our community through civics. All essays must be submitted by Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Interested students can apply, find contest rules and essay guidelines at www.waynesville-strobertchamber.com/nationalcivicsbee.php.

This is a chance for students to share their voice, develop their leadership skills, and take the first step toward shaping a better future for our community.

For more information contact the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce at 573-336-5121. View more details here!

You will find the 2025 sponsorship opportunities link by selecting the icon above, please take a moment to review.

There are many events/programs that can provide your business with advertising and promotional benefits. Submit your completed form to insure your investment with the Chamber. In the event we don’t receive your form we will be calling to verify your participation for the coming year. We understand that there are many ways to spend your advertising dollars; we hope you consider the Chamber when making your annual budgets.

Click Here to see the 2025 Year of Events.

Submissions for Weekly Update

All submissions for the weekly update need to be sent in written format with a summary of information to include contact information (no flyers or PDF) by Thursdays at 3 p.m. Email information to chamber@wsrchamber.com. If you are interested in advertising with a PDF click here for additional advertising opportunities.

January Newcomer Spotlight

Security Bank is a true community bank and prides itself on providing service to our community. From supporting local team sports, the county fair, kids in agriculture and many more community events, to recognizing and supporting the military in our area, we strive to make our community a better place. We've been here for the ups and downs since 1936 and we will continue to be here for your financial needs into the future. Stop in and see what a difference a community bank can make.

Visit www.sbpc.com/ for more information.

Fort Leonard Wood Command Orientation
110 bags were handed out in December 2024.

If you haven't had a chance to bring promotional items to the Chamber to be put in Newcomer Bags, don't miss out! Newcomer bags are handed out every week to incoming permanent party service members arriving to Fort Leonard Wood. Bags are packed every Wednesday. Chamber members, take advantage of this free opportunity!

The Chamber volunteers hand out bags each Thursday to all new permanent party and families arriving. Newcomer Materials can be brought to the Chamber Office every Tuesday to be included. We are handing out between 30-40 bags a week. This is an exclusive benefit to Chamber members only.

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings

Ribbon Cutting for Mu Bahn Thai - February 5th at 10 a.m. at 304 US Rt. 66 in Waynesville.

Ribbon Cutting for Kids' Harbor - February 14th at 11 a.m. at 1811-B Eastlawn Ave. in St. Robert to celebrate their new office expansion. They will be hosting an open house; details located in the Member Events section!

Ribbon Cutting for Riverbend Account/Margie Grife, CPA - February 19th at 1 p.m. at Chamber Office, 137 St. Robert Blvd., Ste. B.

eGuidon

More stories are at https://www.army.mil/paowood.

Past issues of the eGuidon can be found at https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/Garrison/pao/eguidon.

JROTC hosts 10th Annual Waynesville Inter-service Drill Competition

Waynesville High School JROTC hosted the 10th Annual Waynesville JROTC Inter-service Drill Competition on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. "On behalf of the Waynesville JROTC program, we want to thank all of the teams that attended and congratulate Ozark High School JROTC for taking home the overall win. Thank you to all of our coaches, families and supporters, the Waynesville Tiger Battalion and our wonderful JROTC parents group, to Waynesville High School, Waynesville Career Center, and the Waynesville School District, to the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood for our great judges and volunteer support from the Noncommissioned Officers Academy, and to the MSCOE CSM, CSM Azabala and the MSCOE DCG, BG Leonard for attending our awards ceremony", commented Col. (Ret.) Charles Williams.

WCC staff members praised for creative AMI lessons

Waynesville R-VI Superintendent Hilary Bales praised Waynesville Career Center staff members for their successful, engaging and innovative AMI lessons during their Super Session on Jan. 15, 2025. After Bales provided an update on ongoing district initiatives, Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services, led staff in a communication activity.

Enrollment for Tiger Preschool is open

Enrollment has opened for the 2025 Tiger Preschool, a temporary preschool that is staffed by Waynesville High School juniors and seniors who are enrolled in the Child Development 2 class.

Tiger Preschool is scheduled to begin Feb. 26, 2025, and the Meet the Teacher for Tiger Preschool is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2025. Dates are subject to change, due to inclement weather days.

To qualify for enrollment, a child must be between the ages of 3-5, be potty-trained and not already in kindergarten. The enrollment form is at https://docs.google.com/forms/.

For more information, contact Chrystal Bohrer via email at cbohrer@waynesville.k12.mo.us or check out the Tiger Preschool webpage at https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/o/whs/page/tiger-preschool.

Winter Athletic Pass

Season individual and family passes are on sale for the winter sports season at https://www.msbtickets.com/Athletics/schoolevents.
The cost for a single season pass are as follows:

• Individual adult: $15
• Family pass: $40

The district also offers a Senior Citizen pass for seniors age 60 and up who reside in the Waynesville R-VI school district. The pass admits a senior citizen for free to all regularly scheduled home athletic events. Those with existing senior citizen passes do not need to acquire a new pass. The old pass will continue to be honored. For those qualifying, senior passes are available at the Waynesville R-VI Administration Building at 200 Fleetwood Drive or the WHS Athletic Office.

Please note that season, annual and senior passes do not include admission to district or post-district athletic events, such as the Route 66 Shootout, or fund-raising events. They also do not include admission to events operated by outside organizations on a school's campus.

National Association of REALTORS® Relief Foundation

In collaboration with the National Association of REALTORS® Relief Foundation, Missouri REALTORS® and six local boards and associations - Franklin County Board of REALTORS®, Mineral Area Association of REALTORS®, Pulaski County Board of REALTORS®, Southern Gateway Association of REALTORS®, St. Charles REALTORS®, and St. Louis REALTORS® - are proud to make up to $100,000 in funds available to Missourians impacted by storms that swept across the state earlier this month, causing flash flooding on November 4-5, 2024.

Through February 28, 2025, residents who were displaced from or are dealing with severe damage to their primary residence may be eligible for a grant of up to $1,000. These funds are meant to assist with one month's mortgage payment, temporary rental costs, or hotel expenses, for those displaced from their home as a result of the storm. More details about this grant program, including an application with required documentation, are available at missourirealtor.org/foundation.

Applicants must be a full-time resident of Missouri and a U.S. citizen, or legally admitted for residence in the United States. Turnaround time on applications may take 3-4 weeks. Inquiries may be directed to Missouri REALTORS® at missourirealtors@morealtor.com or 573-445-8400.

For those who would like to contribute to this grant program, donations can be made at www.missourirealtor.org/resources/foundation.

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The ASYMCA is looking to grow its Board of Advisors!

Do you have a vested interest in improving the lives of military families in our community? Do you believe your business or organization could benefit from a networking opportunity within an organization that serves the Fort? Fort Leonard Wood is a crucial pillar of the local economy, making it a vital part of the region's prosperity. Use your influence for good and join us for this advisory committee that oversees the actions and decisions of the Armed Services YMCA at Fort Leonard Wood. Meetings occur the second Monday of each month, 4-5pm at the ASYMCA Office, 13900 Replacement Ave, Suite 1 on Fort Leonard Wood. No invitation needed.
Mark your calendars! Next meeting is February 10th.

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Waynesville-St. Robert Senior Center Weekly Menu February 3-7

All are welcome to join us for lunch!

Weather may make changes to menu, please call if you are not sure we are open or if you have questions (573) 774-2668. You can also tune into to KJPW 102.3 FM for updates.

Lunch served Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

February 3 - Shepherd's Pie, Roll, Garden Salad, Pears

February 4 - Pork Loin, Roll, Mashed Potato/Gravy, Carrots, Pickled Beets

February 5 - Chicken Fried Chicken, Bread, Mashed Potato w/ Gravy, Garden Salad

February 6 - Baked Fish, Roll, Herbed Rice, Green Beans, Garden Salad, Peaches

February 7 - Liver or Salisbury Steak & Onions, Roll, Mashed Potato & Gravy, Broccoli

**All meals served with Milk & Dessert

Join us for Trivia every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. and/or BINGO every third Thursday at 12:30.

We also offer cards, games and crafts.

We are always looking for volunteers!

The Place for You Hometown Vows Expo

Hometown Vows Expo (A wedding expo in your own backyard!)
When: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Where: The Place for You - 25330 Republic Rd., Waynesville, MO
Time: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Entrance cost: FREE!
Door prizes given away every hour to include a Minimony (for up to 20 people) worth $2,800! (Must be present to win.)

Armed Services YMCA Donation Drive!

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers in St. Robert is proud to contribute 15% of their in-store sales from 5-9pm on Tuesday, February 4th to the Armed Services YMCA Fort Leonard Wood and our mission to serve and empower military families.

Kids' Harbor Share the Love Open House

Kids' Harbor, located in St. Robert at 181-B Eastlawn Ave., is celebrating their recently renovated space! Join them on February 14th for a tour, refreshments, and a light lunch from 11 am - 1 pm.

Wishlist items are needed: $10.00 gas cards, retail gift cards, small bottles of water.

Payin for the Spayin 5k Run

Loving Paws Adoption Center is hosting their 15th Annual 5k Walk/Run on Saturday, March 1st, at 10 am, located at Crocker City Park - 113 Park Street.

Registration fees: $30 Adults, $25 Youth (under 15). Register online at lovingpawspchs.com before 10 pm on February 28th, In person at Loving Paws Adoption Center no later than February 27th, or Run Day before 9:30 am at the Crocker City Park.

Well behaved dogs are welcome to run as long as their vaccinations are current and they are leashed.

Central Ozarks Medical Center Health Fair & 5k Color Run

Saturday, April 5th, at the YMCA in Osage Beach, 950 Airport Road. The Color Run will run from 7:30 - 9 am. The Health Fair will run from 9 - 11 am. Come out for giveaways, see the farmer's market, get resources and information!

For more information or to register to be a vendor, email blinch@centralozarks.org.

The ASYMCA is hosting our annual Spring Father/Daughter Dance!

April 25, 2025 | 5:30-8:00pm. Cost: $25.00 per person, children under 2 are free. Registration opens March 28th, 2025.

Father/Daughter Dance is open to everyone (Military and Public)
The Father Daughter Dance is an opportunity for fathers to spend precious time with their daughters, strengthen the father-daughter bond, and create memories that last a lifetime. Link below for more info.
Father Daughter Dance - Fort Leonard Wood ASYMCA

CVMA MO Chapter 4-11 11th Annual All Patriot Run

Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® MO Chapter 4-11 is hosting their 11th Annual All Patriot Run (APR) on Saturday, 26 April 2025 at the VFW Post 3168, 26050 Swindell Dr, Richland, MO, 65556.

Registration is from 10:30 am - 1:00 pm. First bike out at 11:00 am, Last bike in at 4:00 pm. 1st Hand $25, 2nd Hand and/or Passenger $10.
Cash prizes for best and worst hands! Raffles, Baskets, and More! Weapon Raffle - 2 Chances to Win, only 750 tickets!

*Must be 21+ to win and pass a background check. Kitchen Opens at Noon, full bar with drink specials all day! Official Sanctioned Event. Open to the Public

Kids' Harbor BBQ Bash at High Tide

April 26th at High Tide, 1675 Yacht Club in Osage Beach, Kids' Harbor will be hosting a BBQ Bash. Food will be served from 1 - 5 pm, or until food runs out. Live music from Jacob Smalley and Morgan County Line! Visit www.KidsHarborMO.org for advanced tickets, sponsorship information, and BBQ team registration.