The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) invites the public to their quarterly “Lunch with Art” event, held Monday, August 11, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the West Plains Public Library, 750 West Broadway. Attendees will enjoy not just a meal, but a rich helping of history, photography, and storytelling courtesy of two hometown explorers of the American frontier.
Rick Hamby and Dennis Crider—names familiar to local history buffs and arts lovers—will share highlights from their latest stagecoach adventure, “Dust in the Wind Journey.” What began as a simple research trip in October 2023 turned into a powerful encounter with the past, as Rick, Dennis, and their crew retraced the historic Butterfield Overland Dispatch route through western Kansas.
From May 18–26, 2024, the team followed the legendary Smoky Hill Trail, guiding an authentic 1880s Concord stagecoach across rugged prairie landscapes and long-forgotten stations. Along the way, they camped at sites steeped in frontier lore—Goose Creek Station, Rose Creek Ranch, Pond Creek Station, Russell Springs, and more—meeting locals and uncovering layers of regional history long buried beneath the Kansas soil.
The journey has been immortalized in the new book, Dust in the Wind: A Stagecoach Journey Along the Smoky Hill Trail/BOD in Western Kansas, now available on Amazon. Authored by Hamby and illustrated with nearly 300 evocative photographs by Crider—who was recently inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame—the book offers readers a vivid look at their time on the trail.
Hamby, also known for the award-winning radio show “Just for Kids Radio Round-up,” now hosts “Great Moments in American History” on KUKU 100.3 FM, keeping his passion for storytelling alive on the airwaves.
During the luncheon, guests will also hear updates from the Arts Alliance about upcoming creative events in the region.
Tickets for the luncheon are $10 for WPCA members and $15 for non-members. Seating is limited, so early reservations are encouraged. Reserve your spot by emailing info@westplainsarts.org.
The event is made possible with support from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
