Third Thursdays at the Library
2025-09-18 10:00 - 2025-12-18 10:00 UTC
Join the library for family fun, story time, crafts, and snacks at the Third Thursdays event at the Tarkio Library at 10:00 a.m. Thursdays, September 18, October 16, November 20, and December 18. Each event will feature a seasonal theme made for all ages. These programs are for children up to 4 years of age and their parents or guardians.

ACT prep classes at Tarkio Tech
2025-11-10 19:00 - 2025-12-01 20:30
Tarkio Technology Institute is hosting ACT test prep classes on Mondays, November 10, 17, and 25, and December 1 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in room 205 in The Curnutt Center on the campus. For $5 per class, get prepared in introduction/English (November 10), math (November 17), reading (November 25), and science/math (December 1). To sign up, call 660-253-0186, 660-744-3479, or email mestaten72@gmail.com.

Women on a Mission bake sale
2025-11-25 08:00 - 11:00
The First Christian Church Women on a Mission will hold their annual bake sale Tuesday, November 25, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The bake sale will be in front of Oswald Crow Agency in Rock Port. There will be a wide variety of delicious baked goods to help you get ready for Thanksgiving!

Bingo at Rock Port Senior Center
2025-11-25 09:30 - 11:00
Bingo will only be held once a month during the winter months at the Rock Port Senior Center. The next Bingo games will be Tuesday, November 25. Games start at 9:45 a.m. so you will have to enjoy a game or two with friends before lunch. The Rock Port Senior Center is located at 505 Country Club Drive.

Bingo at Tarkio Nutrition Center
2025-11-27 10:00 - 11:00
The Tarkio Nutrition Center will have bingo every second and fourth Thursday of the month at the Tarkio Nutrition Center from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. for an hour packed with excitement. There is no cost to join in the games, and prizes are up for grabs for the lucky winners! Come to the Tarkio Nutrition Center, enjoy some great company, delicious food, and try your luck. The next bingo day is November 27.

Rock Port to host semifinal football game
2025-11-29 13:00 - 15:00
Congratulations to the Blue Jays on their quarterfinal football win! The Jays host Concordia this Saturday, November 29, at 1:00 p.m. at Blue Jay Stadium. Go Jays!

Fairfax Light Night
2025-11-29 18:00 - 19:00
Fairfax’s annual Light Night will be Saturday, November 29, at the Fairfax City Park. The night’s activities will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the shelter house when Miss Fairfax flips the switch to light up the park.
The night will be full of free hot chocolate, sweets, games and prizes. Santa will visit with the kids at the Boy Scout Cabin on the northwest corner of the park.
If you would like to help or donate to Light Night, contact Sam O’Riley at 660-623-0062.
In the event of inclement weather, Light Night will be held at the Fairfax R-3 School.

Tarkio/Westboro God and Man services
2025-12-01 07:00 - 2025-12-05 07:30
The Tarkio/Westboro Ministerial Alliance is hosting God and Man Services this week at 7:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Tarkio. Friday’s service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Westboro. A light breakfast will be served each day following the service. The messages each day will be delivered by members of the following churches – Wednesday (Tarkio Church of God), Thursday (Tarkio Presbyterian), and Friday (Good News).

The Salvation Army, ringing in hope this Christmas season
2025-12-05 08:00 - 2025-12-20 17:00
Submitted by Monica Bailey, Board Member
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty intentional about how I give of my time and money. I have trusted Salvation Army as an organization and a service for many years. Motivated by a love of God and others, this national 501(c)3 nonprofit is known for spending as little as possible on administrative costs, and as much as possible on local needs, including food assistance, emergency rent and utility assistance, youth and senior programs, eyeglasses, wheelchair repair, dental work, and more. Over the years, we’ve helped medical patients with fuel to get back and forth to treatments, paid for milk and lunches at school, purchased a tire for someone to be able to travel to work and keep his job, supplied backpacks for the Atchison County back to school fair, and bought personal hygiene products for students.
An amazing 84% of what is donated locally stays in Atchison County, and even more in the event of a disaster such as a flood. Most of Atchison County Salvation Army’s annual fundraising happens in December, when bell ringers and red kettles are out in abundance. You can help support our local Salvation Army (and spread holiday cheer!) in many ways this month.
Ring the bell (or donate!) in Fairfax on Friday, December 5.
Ring the bell (or donate!) in Tarkio on Saturday, December 6.
Ring the bell (or donate!) in Rock Port on Friday, December 19, or Saturday, December 20.
(Contact the respective community members below if you are interested in ringing!)
Tax deductible donations may be sent to:
• Atchison County Salvation Army, 218 S. Maple Street, Tarkio, MO 64491 (envelopes will be included in an upcoming issue of Atchison County Mail)
• Janene McEnaney, 101 N 12th St, Tarkio, MO 64491; 660-623-0557
• Bob Alldredge, PO Box 45, Fairfax, MO 64446; 660-686-0206
• Jim Clodfelter, 205 S Main, Rock Port, MO 64482; 660-744-5385
Please reach out to any of the following Atchison County Salvation Army board members if you have any questions: Lori Helfers, Jim Clodfelter, Sally Wehmann, Bob Alldredge, Janene McEnaney, Bill Slaughter, Chris Stevens, Tammy Grossman, Sam O’Riley, Wendy Hays, Mark Wilczek, or Monica Bailey. We would appreciate your support of Salvation Army this holiday season, so we can continue to care for our neighbors in times of need.

Santa Claus to visit North Polk Schoolhouse
2025-12-06 09:00 - 12:00
The Tarkio Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to see Santa Claus at the North Polk Schoolhouse Saturday, December 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Stop by the schoolhouse at the corner of Hwy. 59 and Park Street in Tarkio to visit with Santa and have your photo taken.

Rock Port Christmas Mall
2025-12-06 09:00 - 15:00
The Rock Port Chamber of Commerce is making plans for the annual Christmas Mall Saturday, December 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Atchison County Memorial Building on Main Street in Rock Port. Local area vendors will showcase their crafts and you can get a head start on your holiday shopping.
A Winter Wonderland with holiday activities for kids will be open on the top floor while adults shop downstairs. Santa will arrive at 1:00 p.m.
The Chamber of Commerce will hold a drawing for three Chamber Bucks winners ($250 each) after Santa visits.
If you would like to set up a booth, contact Teresa Mertens at tmertens01@gmail.com.

Eagle Days at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge
2025-12-06 09:00 - 2025-12-07 16:00
Bald eagles migrate southward on the chilly winds of early winter. Dozens or even hundreds typically congregate at the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City where they can feed on fish and waterfowl. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host the 46th annual Eagle Days at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, December 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. The World Bird Sanctuary staff will present live eagle shows each hour in a building at the refuge headquarters. Those eagles have been rehabilitated from injuries but will not be able to be released back into the wild.
There will also be interpretive stops along a driving tour of the refuge wetlands. Spotting scopes will be set up at key points along the tour route for visitors to spot wildlife far out on the marshes. Friends of Loess Bluffs and other conservation partners will have outreach tables on display inside the visitor center.
Besides eagles, visitors will be able to see wildlife at wetland pools such as trumpeter swans, geese, ducks, and shore birds. MDC staff, Missouri Master Naturalists, and Loess Bluffs staff will be welcoming visitors and interpreting nature exhibits.
The number of waterfowl and eagles at Loess Bluffs varies with weather being a major factor. Often though, Eagle Days has plentiful wildlife for viewing. Visitors will find cameras and binoculars useful.
For current bird survey numbers and event information about Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zt2.
To learn more about eagles and other Eagle Days events in Missouri, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/events/eagle-days.
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is located in northwest Missouri near Mound City. Take Interstate 29 to Exit 79 south of Mound City then travel south 2 ½ miles on U.S. Highway 159.

Brownville Fine Arts Association to host Holiday Tour of Homes
2025-12-06 10:00 - 17:30
Experience the magic of the holidays on Saturday, December 6, at the Brownville Holiday Tour of Homes. Five stops will be featured this year.
Artist Tom Palmerton’s bronze, “The Good Shepherd,” along with several of Tom’s bronze art pieces, will be featured in the Brownville Christian Church. Tom played a significant role when designing the church windows.
Wayne and Peggy Lotter will open their home for guests to delight in Christmas trees, Nativity set, and vintage holiday ornaments.
The Concert Hall has planned an opportunity for guests to enjoy back stage tours and their recording of one of their previous shows, “White Christmas.”
The Muir House, one of Nebraska’s most elegant early homes, will be on the tour of homes. Visitors will enjoy touring the Italianate style home, built with native Nebraska brick.
Also included is the October House, counted as one of Brownville’s most charming homes on Main Street.
The tour is sponsored by the Brownville Fine Arts Association. Tickets are $20 and will be available at the Schoolhouse Art Gallery, 427 Main Street. The hours of the tour will be 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by Christmas caroling led by the Methodist Church and tree lighting in the Rohman Garden at 5:30 p.m. Hot chocolate and refreshments will be served afterwards in the Schoolhouse Art Gallery.
For information about other events throughout the day, visit www.brownville-ne.com or call 402-414-2082.

Tarkio Parks & Rec to host A Storybook Christmas in Tarkio
2025-12-06 19:00 - 20:00
The Tarkio Parks & Recreation Board is hosting its fifth annual Lighted Christmas Parade at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 6, on Main Street in Tarkio. This year’s theme is “A Storybook Christmas in Tarkio.” Light up your golf carts, UTVs, vehicles, trucks, etc. and decorate them with the Christmas storybook theme and take part in this fun-filled event. Santa and other Christmas characters will be riding in the parade. Everyone not participating is encouraged to line Main Street and watch the holiday magic roll by.

Nodaway Chorale presents “Voices of the Season” choral concert
2025-12-07 16:00 - 17:00
The Nodaway Chorale will present a concert of holiday vocal music on Sunday, December 7, at 4:00 p.m. at Schneider Performing Arts Center, Maryville High School, 1501 South Munn Avenue in Maryville.
The theme of the concert is “Voices of the Season.” Chorale Music Director Jim Rash explains, “Our concert theme highlights a celebration of the many sounds, stories, and traditions that come together during the Christmas holidays. It evokes the idea that each piece of music represents a unique “voice” contributing to the warmth, reflection, and joy of the season.” The Chorale will perform an eclectic mixture of choral selections from traditional to sacred to movie songs to holiday humorous. Tentative concert selections include well-known compositions such as “The First Noel,” arranged by Dan Forrest, a rhythmic jewel “African Star Carol,” the famous “Carol of the Bells,” a memorable medley of holiday songs by Irving Berlin, and a couple of fun and exciting holiday surprises.
Sharing the stage with the Nodaway Chorale will be special guest performers, the Spectrum Chorus from Maryville High School, directed by Vanessa Parsons. Parsons shares, “Spectrum is pleased to continue for the seventh time the tradition of performing with the Nodaway Chorale. It provides a wonderful opportunity for the students to perform for an audience that may not have heard them before. Plus,” she adds, “it’s most important for the students to be able to serve the community by sharing their talents.”
Rash adds, “Also returning this year will be the 10th Street Brass, a quartet based in Maryville. The ensemble will share holiday tunes prior to the concert for the gathering audience and then accompany the singers on two concert selections. And new this year, “Rash continues, “accompanying the chorus on two selections will be The Joyous Sounds Handbell Ensemble, a new group of 10 volunteer handbell ringers from several communities in northwest Missouri.”
Admission is free. Tax-deductible donations at the door are encouraged. Nodaway Chorale is a non-profit, non-audition, secular mixed voice chorus with over 60 singers. For more information email info@nodawaychorale.org or visit their website nodawaychorale.org or social media pages.

67th annual Rock Port God and Man services
2025-12-08 07:00 - 2025-12-12 07:30
This year will mark the 67th anniversary of Rock Port’s God and Man services. This year’s services will be Monday, December 8, through Friday, December 12, and will start at 7:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join them at Grace Church (403 U.S. Hwy. 136W).
Churches in charge of each morning’s service for the week are: Monday – Grace Church, Tuesday – First Christian Church, Wednesday – First Lutheran Church, Thursday – United Methodist Church, and Friday – Rock Port Baptist Church.
Each morning’s service will be over at 7:30 a.m., and all participants are welcome to join in a time of fellowship after the service. Refreshments of coffee, doughnuts, milk, and juice will be served.

Bingo at Rock Port Senior Center
2025-12-09 09:30 - 22:30
Bingo will only be held once a month during the winter months at the Rock Port Senior Center. The next Bingo games will be Tuesday, December 9. Games start at 9:45 a.m. so you will have to enjoy a game or two with friends before lunch. The Rock Port Senior Center is located at 505 Country Club Drive.

Fairfax winter music program
2025-12-10 16:30 - 21:00
The Fairfax R-3 Pre-K-12th grade winter music program will be held Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fairfax High School Gym.
That day, classes will dismiss early and then a chili supper, hosted by the Music Boosters, will be held at the school from 4:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. before the start of the program.

Mrs. Claus Story Time at Tarkio Library
2025-12-10 18:00 - 19:00
Wednesday, December 10, Mrs. Claus will have story time at Tarkio Library at 6 p.m. This is a short and sweet visit with the wonderful Mrs. Claus, who will read some Christmas stories to the kiddos. This event is recommended for any ages.

Bingo at Tarkio Nutrition Center
2025-12-11 10:00 - 11:00
The Tarkio Nutrition Center will have bingo every second and fourth Thursday of the month at the Tarkio Nutrition Center from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. for an hour packed with excitement. There is no cost to join in the games, and prizes are up for grabs for the lucky winners! Come to the Tarkio Nutrition Center, enjoy some great company, delicious food, and try your luck. The next bingo day is December 11.

Rock Port winter concert
2025-12-12 17:30 - 20:30
The Rock Port R-II Elementary Christmas program will be held Friday, December 12, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at the high school.
The junior high and high school winter band concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. that night.

Brownville Concert Series presents “A Christmas Spectacular”
2025-12-12 19:30 - 2025-12-14 14:00
The Brownville Concert Series will bring the 2025 season to a close with its beloved tradition of the annual Christmas Gala. The concerts feature Carole J. Bufford and Friends as they sing songs of the season in “A Christmas Spectacular.” Carole will be joined by Kellie Rabke, Campbell Walker Fields, and John Fischer. They will be in cabaret on Friday and Saturday, December 12 and 13, at 7:30 p.m., and in concert on Sunday, December 14, at 2:00 p.m. Sponsors are Auburn State Bank, Laura French, Ruth Keene, and F&M Bank of Falls City.
Carole J. Bufford is one of the most sought after performers on the American vintage pop and cabaret scene. Her shows, including “Speak Easy” (featuring the Grammy Award winning Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks), “Come Together,” and “You Don’t Own Me,” earned her rave reviews from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Times (UK). She currently tours with her solo shows as well as with symphonies all over the country. Carole is also the recipient of BroadwayWorld’s Vocalist of the Year and the recent gold medal winner of the American Traditions Vocal Competition.
Kelli Rabke was handpicked by Andrew Lloyd Webber to make her Broadway debut as the narrator in the revival of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” followed by Eponine in the Broadway company of “Les Misérables.” She has performed in regional theatres throughout the country, most notably as Yonah in the American Premiere of Stephen Schwartz’s “Children of Eden” at the Paper Mill Playhouse, the theatre where she had also gotten her “big break” as Dorothy in their landmark production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
After leaving the bright lights of the stage to start a family, Kelli is now a staple in the NYC cabaret world. Her first solo show debuted to a sold-out crowd at Feinstein’s/54 Below and since then, she has been featured in everything from Sondheim to Streisand to Bernstein, in addition to creating her own shows.
Campbell Walker Fields is a versatile singer and keyboardist with equal comfort on concert, musical theatre and arena stages. His professional career began when cast at the age of nine as Artful Dodger in Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s 2011 production of “Oliver.” Soon after he played JoJo in “Seussical the Musical” at the University of Oklahoma, and Foo (Lost Boy) in the seven week run of the world premiere Dallas Theatre Center production of the musical “Fly.”
In the summer of 2016, he was seen competing on Season 11 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent, making it to the middle judge cuts round, and he took part in Grammy Camp Nashville, a music industry program for young artists interested in the music business. He has performed as soloist with symphony orchestras including Abilene Philharmonic, The Signature Symphony and the OKC Philharmonic, where he was featured artist in “The Christmas Show” and its Independence Day concerts “Red White & Boom” and he has performed at Cast Party/Birdland in NYC.
John Fischer has been a music director and pianist in NYC for over 20 years. He has decades of experience working with top Broadway and cabaret artists. He music directed Broadway’s Rising Stars at The Town Hall for 14 seasons, where he also worked on numerous Broadway Originals concerts.
In recent years, John has joined the symphony world as a guest artist, debuting a new Bacharach show with the Plymouth Symphony, Blockbuster Broadway for the Omaha Symphony, a Bernstein/Robbins celebration with the Signature Symphony, and Music of the Knights with the Santa Ana Symphony Orchestra. In NYC, he is a regular fixture at 54 Below, music directing everything from Sinatra to Streisand and as the MD for the longrunning series, “Sondheim Unplugged.” Recent highlights include Ali Stroker’s sold-out “American Songbook” concert at Lincoln Center, Alice & Emily’s “Unattached” at 54 Below, and the 25th Anniversary Concert of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” part of the award winning 54 Sings series for which he also music directed “Applause,” “Mack & Mabel,” and “Kiss Of The Spiderwoman.”
Tickets can be purchased online at www.brownvilleconcertseries.org, on Facebook or call 402-825-3331.
The Nebraska Arts Council supports this program through a matching grant funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

Christmas Music at Tarkio Presbyterian Church
2025-12-14 10:30 - 11:30
The Tarkio Presbyterian Church Choir and Bell Choir will present a program of Christmas music during the worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 14. The church is located at 700 Maple Street. Everyone is invited to attend this special service.

Tarkio Tech welding showcase
2025-12-15 09:00 - 2025-12-17 16:00
Tarkio Tech’s welding students and instructors have been putting their welding skills to work on designing, creating, and displaying many different projects for a welding showcase Monday, December 15, through Wednesday, December 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in The Curnutt Center on the Tarkio Tech campus. A percentage of each sale goes to a TTI welding scholarship fund. Everyone is invited to come out and see all the projects and purchase one for a Christmas gift or for yourself!

Kids’ Korner Preschool holiday program
2025-12-15 18:00 - 19:00
Kids’ Korner Preschool students at Tarkio R-I will be performing a holiday program at 6:00 p.m. Monday, December 15, 2025, in the Tarkio High School Auditorium. Family members and friends of the preschoolers are invited to attend.

Christmas Lunch at Tarkio Nutrition Center
2025-12-16 11:00 - 12:30
Join the center staff and patrons for a scrumptious Christmas lunch Tuesday, December 16, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Enjoy sliced ham, sweet potato casserole, corn casserole, deviled eggs, cherry dessert, and roll.

Enjoy Christmas lunches at Atchison County's senior centers
2025-12-16 11:00 - 2025-12-22 12:30
Christmas lunch at Tarkio Nutrition Center
The Tarkio Nutrition Center will host a Christmas lunch Tuesday, December 16, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join the center staff and patrons for sliced ham, sweet potato casserole, corn casserole, deviled eggs, roll, and cherry dessert.
Christmas lunch at Rock Port Senior Center
The Rock Port Senior Center will host a Christmas lunch Monday, December 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Ladies in Black will sing Christmas favorites while everyone dines and socializes. The Advisory Committee is cooking up some fun for December as well.

Rush in to save lives
2025-12-16 12:00 - 16:00
The Rock Port FFA Chapter is hosting a blood drive Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. at Rock Port High School, 600 S. Nebraska Street, in the south gym.
Sign up at savealifenow.org/group and use group code EG4V. For additional details, contact Jeremy Palmer at 660-744-6296 or jeremy.palmer@rpbluejays.com.
Those who show up to donate at this Community Blood Center blood drive will receive an exclusive Kansas City Chiefs t-shirt (while supplies last). Come to donate and be entered to win two tickets to the Chiefs Christmas Day game, plus one free parking pass.

Stuffed Animal Slumber Party at the Library
2025-12-17 08:00 - 2025-12-18 11:00
Wednesday, December 17, the Atchison County Library will host a Stuffed Animal Slumber Party at all three branches on this day. Have your kids bring their stuffed animal to your local branch by 4:30 p.m. They can read them a bedtime story, have some hot cocoa and put them to bed. The stuffies will have a night full of adventures at the library! The stuffed animals will be ready for pick up Thursday, December 18, after 11:00 a.m. What kind of holiday mayhem will happen during their sleepover at the library?

Mrs. Claus to visit Rock Port Library
2025-12-17 18:00 - 19:00
Wednesday, December 17, Mrs. Claus will be at the Rock Port Library at 6 p.m., the same day as the Stuffed Animal Slumber Party drop-off.
