Local Briefs: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026
Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair set for Saturday
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Maryville Parks and Recreation’s 14th annual Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Maryville Community Center.
More than 60 local vendors will be on hand in the community center gymnasium.
The fair is one of MPR’s biggest revenue sources throughout the year, drawing thousands of attendees. Admission is $1.
Community invited to tree-lighting ceremony
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Northwest Missouri State University will host its annual President’s Tree Lighting on Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Thomas Gaunt House, and invites the community to join in the tradition that helps usher in the holiday season on the campus.
Northwest President Lance Tatum and First Lady Jill Tatum will host the program, which begins at 5:30 p.m. and will include remarks from President Tatum and Student Senate President Phillip Motazedi as well as music performed by Northwest’s Tower Choir and the Horace Mann Laboratory School choir.
After the tree-lighting ceremony, attendees may take photos with Bobby Bearcat and Santa Claus at the Hubbard Hearth and Fireplace at the Gaunt House patio, in addition to enjoying refreshments. Children are invited to make a holiday craft and reindeer food.
The Gaunt House, located on Fourth Street at the south edge of the university campus, was built during the 1870s and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It has served as a residence for Northwest presidents since the institution’s founding in 1905.
OATS Transit announces holiday hours for routes
MARYVILLE, Mo. — The OATS Transit offices will be closed, and regular routes will not be running, on Nov. 27 and 28 for Thanksgiving, and also Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas.
OATS Transit offers regular transportation services to rural residents of any age. To schedule a ride or to inquire about services available in the area, call the OATS Transit office at 816-279-3131 or 800-831-9219. Visit the service’s website at oatstransit.org to find local schedules by county under the “Bus Schedules” tab.
Keep Your Keys, CarFit classes offered Nov. 16
ALBANY, Mo. — The Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments’ Roadway Safety Program will host its Keep Your Keys and CarFit courses on Monday, Nov. 16, at the Hundley Whaley Extension and Education Center, 1109 S. Birch St. in Albany.
The courses will begin at 11 a.m. with one-on-one CarFit checks to follow.
Keep Your Keys is a free driver safety course that educates people 55 and older on how to stay medically and physically fit to drive, preparing for driver retirement, navigating new roadways and staying safe while on the road.
CarFit will also be in attendance to offer senior drivers a free opportunity to check how their cars “fit” them. Developed by AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association, CarFit’s trained professionals take aging drivers through a 12-point checklist with their vehicles, recommending minor adjustments that help make their cars “fit” better for comfort and safety.
Reservations are not required, but are appreciated, a news release stated. Reservations are available by contacting Community Planner Heather Montenguise via email at [email protected] or by calling 660-582-5121 ext. 9.
