The Waynesville - St. Robert Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Veterans' Day Ceremony & Parade is just around the corner and there is a lot to be done. One of those items is selecting a Veteran of the Year nominee and the Chamber needs your help. From now until August 15, 2025, the Chamber of Commerce will be collecting members' nominations. In order to nominate someone, a one-page letter highlighting why your candidate is qualified to receive this honor, must be sent to the Chamber along with a brief history of your nominee and their picture.

The Veteran of the Year Award distinguishes a veteran from any rank from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy with an honorable discharge. The veteran has to be a resident from Pulaski County, agree to accept the tribute, and be present at the Veterans' Day Ceremony, and serve as the Parade Marshall on November 11, 2025.

You can find the nomination forms at the Chamber office, 137 St. Robert Blvd, Ste. B or you can download it from here. If you have any questions contact the Chamber office at 573-336-5121, or e-mail chamber@wsrchamber.com.

The 2025 Junior Leadership Pulaski County Summit runs July 28-August 1, 2025 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. daily.

Attendance is required for all sessions to remain eligible for graduation.

Tuition for each participant of Junior Leadership Pulaski County Summit is $100. Upon notification of being accepted into the Junior Leadership Pulaski Program the participant will be invoiced for the tuition. Tuition must be paid by June 30, 2025.

• Student must be a sophomore or junior (ages 15-17) in high school during the 2025-2026 school year.
• Student must complete application and submit one letter of recommendation.
• Student must commit to attending each session.
  Pay a $100.00 program fee (due upon acceptance).
• Registration is open to 2025-2026 school year sophomore and junior students of all high schools in Pulaski County.

JrLPC is limited to 15 students per class. Selection criteria include:

• Desire for personal growth
• Interested and motivated to serve school and community
  Drawn to volunteerism, resulting in positive change
• Ability to commit to program attendance and participation requirements
• Selection is based upon thoroughness of answers on the candidate's application and recommendations

All applications must be postmarked by June 2, 2025 to be considered for the 2025 class. Click here for more information.

Jr. LPC Summit Sponsorship Opportunities

WSR Chamber Poppy Project

The poppy project is a community art project of remembrance that will be created by using hand-made poppies in an effort to honor our veterans. These symbols of remembrance will be blanketed and displayed at the Veterans' Day Parade, November 11, 2025 in St. Robert, MO

Last year we collected 6,200 knitted and/or crocheted poppies. This year our goal is 3,800 poppies. They will be displayed in our upcoming Veterans' Parade. The total we hope to display is 10,000 poppies. The deadline to turn in poppies is October 31, 2025.

For more information on completing the poppies, please call (573) 336-5121 or email chamber@wsrchamber.com with any questions.

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.

May Newcomer Spotlight

Waypoint is a church for all generations aiming to share God’s love, grow in faith, and positively impact our community by helping people discover the way to Jesus. Waypoint is all about “leading people to love and live like Jesus." For more information visit https://discoveringtheway.org/

Fort Leonard Wood Command Orientation

99 bags were handed out in April 2025.

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.

The Chamber is represented every other Thursday at Fort Leonard Wood's Command Orientation and gives welcome bags to all new incoming families. Organizations that participate give a door prize in the form of a gift certificate or goodie bag. We are requesting some gift certificates or promotional items that could be used to donate as the door prize. This is a great way for those who are arriving on base to learn about Pulaski County and your business. Please bring by your donation to the Chamber during business hours. We thank you for your continued support.

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings

Ribbon Cutting for Pulaski County Community Network- June 13th at 1:30 p.m. at the Chamber Office, 137 St. Robert Blvd., Ste. B.

Ribbon Cutting for Sparklight - June 25th at 4:30 p.m. at 690 Missouri Ave., #13 in St. Robert. The celebration will include refreshments, food, giveaways, a raffle, and more.

The Army Community Partnership Award Recognition Ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Friday, June 13, in Fort Leonard Wood's Lincoln Hall Auditorium. Fort Leonard Wood leaders would like to recognize the cities of St. Robert and Waynesville for their outstanding partnership and the many people throughout the community who contribute to the area's success. The ceremony is open to the public.

For more information about the award at https://www.army-community-partnership-awards or https://www.army.mil

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.

Expect Delays and Increased Summer School Traffic

Please be patient as there will be increased traffic in the area around Waynesville Middle School during summer school, beginning Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Both WMS and Waynesville High School students will attend summer school at WMS, while major HVAC renovations are being made at the high school.

Summer School will be May 29-June 26. There will be no summer school on June 19 in celebration of Juneteenth.

Summer School hours are 7:25 a.m. to 1:55 p.m. Students may be dropped off beginning at 7:05 a.m.

Register to pick up FREE MEALS for children ages birth to 18

OPAA! and Waynesville R-VI Schools are partnering to provide free meals through a drive-through service on four Fridays (May 30, June 6, June 13, and June 20) at Freedom Elementary.

All children in the community ages birth to 18 are eligible to receive the meals at Freedom; however, they must register in advance at https://forms.gle/V4jtfwCx1CHEvDoKA.

The meals will be available through a drive-through service at Freedom Elementary between 12 and 1 p.m. on May 30, June 6, June 13, and June 20-every Friday during summer school.

Details

• The meals will be available on the following Fridays: May 30, June 6, June 13, and June 20. Please indicate on the form which Fridays you will be available to pick up the meals.

• All families will pick up their meals at Freedom Elementary between noon and 1 p.m.
• Each bag will contain two breakfasts and two lunches for each child who has registered through the brief Google form at link above.

• Are there income guidelines for this program?
  -No. All children ages birth to 18 are eligible.

• Does my child have to be enrolled in summer school to be eligible for this program?
  -No. This program is open to the community.

• Do I have to fill out the form each week?
  -No. Please indicate on the form which Fridays you will be picking up the meals.

• How is this program being funded and why is it being offered?
  -The Federal Government is funding this program and OPAA! volunteered to participate so that families in our community could receive the meals. Children are most hungry during the summer months when regular school is not in session and OPAA! is partnering with Waynesville R-VI schools to help ensure that children have food on the weekends during summer school.

Waynesville-St. Robert Senior Center Weekly Menu May 30-June 6

All are welcome to join us for lunch!

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

May 30- Quiche- Ham or Veg, Pancake, Strawberries & Bananas, Fruit Juice

June 2- Ground Chicken Tacos, Black Beans, Refried Beans, Tortilla or Chips, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion & Jalapenos

June 3- Pork Loin, Sweet Potato Casserole, Pickled Beets, Fried Apples, Roll

June 4- Baked Ziti w/ Ground Pork, Steamed Broccoli & Cauliflower, Fruit Cocktail, Garlic Breadsticks

June 5- Salsa Baked Chicken, Rice, Mexican Corn, Garden Salad

June 6- Pulled Pork, Slider Buns, Potato Salad, Three Bean Salad, Coleslaw, Pickle, Onion

**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!

Vintage Summer Stroll

Join us for a fun day of shopping in Downtown Dixon and Crocker, MO on Saturday, May 31st from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Take a scenic drive through two communities and discover numerous treasures along the way! To get a full list of participating business click here.

Join Breaking Chains Custom Creations for a Hat Pyrography Class!

Date: May 31, 2025
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: 25805 MO-17 Waynesville MO 65583

Discover the art of hat burning in this hands-on pyrography class! Each participant will receive a caramel-colored fedora and be guided through designing and burning their own custom creation. No experience necessary-just bring your creativity! All materials are provided, as well as coffee, tea and water. Guest may bring their own snacks if desired.

Individual and group rates are available. All participants must sign a liability waiver, for minor children, a parent or guardian must be present to co-sign your waiver.

Spots are limited-register today! Text or call 573-631-2660 or email
BreakingChainsCC22@gmail.com

Beating the Odds Breakfast With Phelps Health

Date: Saturday, June 7
Time: 8:00-10:00 AM
Location: Greentree Christian Church, 800 Greentree Road, Rolla

Join Phelps Health for breakfast as we celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day 2025. This event is open to anyone who has had or is living with a cancer diagnosis, regardless of where they sought treatment. We invite you and one guest to join us for a complimentary breakfast to recognize you and your journey. Free t-shirts will be available for survivors.
Please RSVP by May 10 to survivorsday@phelpshealth.org or (573) 458-8684.

Military Police Regimental Association 84th Annual Golf Tournament

Registration for the 894th MPRA Golf Tournament opens May 1st, cost is $60 per person. Event will take place 10 a.m on September 24, 2025 at the Piney Valley Golf Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

• 4 Person Scramble
• 3 Flights
• 1st, 2nd, 3rd place prizes
• Longest Drive (M/F)
• Longest Putt
• Closest to the pin

To Register visit or contact the Piney Valley Golf Course (573) 329-4770 for questions please contact Rick Harne (573)434-9642.

ASYMCA Annual Duck Race

We're excited to announce our upcoming 'fun' raiser event, the 35th Annual Duck Race on July 26, 2025 hosted at the Roubidoux Park in Waynesville.

Each year participants' ducks strut their stuff to compete for "best dressed". Afterward, they speed their way down the Roubidoux in an attempt to be crowned the "Speediest Duck". Winners will receive a $125 Visa gift card.

Every dollar raised is put back into the soldiers and families at Fort Leonard Wood through low or no-cost preschool programs, sports, summer camps and other opportunities for military families. Once you sponsor a duck, you will get a duck decoy to decorate and deploy on race day. After you register, we will contact you to coordinate receipt of your duck.

Here's how you can help:

• Sponsor a duck for just $100
  
• Multiple ducks = more chances to win
  
• All proceeds go directly to supporting our military families

You can sponsor your duck(s) by visiting our website Annual Duck Race-Fort Leonard Wood ASYMCA