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Reflections: Waiting is underrated
My Bible study last week included verses about trusting God, even when circumstances make us wonder what is going on, how long the situation will continue, what the outcome will be, and whether God really cares. One passage was Psalm 27:13-14, “I would have lost heart, unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (NKJV) Persons inte

Cynthia J. Thomas
3 min read


Outdoors with Larry Dablemont: Adders and vipers
The terms "spreading adder" or "hog-nosed viper" are common names for the harmless little snake, given to them by Ozark rural people.

Larry Dablemont
4 min read


Been thinkin’ about…Spooky things
Historically, we cannot argue with the stout Christian faith of our Scots-Irish forebears who settled these hills, nor question their reasons for leaving the Old Country.

Joshua Heston
4 min read


Abuse vs. narcissism
October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month. By now, pretty much everyone is aware of this insidious “evil.” This is merely my opinion, but I fervently believe that as well as parents educating children on this disorder, it needs to be tackled in the schools. Of course, the root of domestic violence is narcissism, so that, in itself, must be taught so as to easily recognize the signs. The problem with this is that a diabolical mind that is disciplined can “turn their behavi

Jody Johnson Godfrey
3 min read


Memories from the Homestead: A girl of the golden West, Carolina Cotton
Carolina was born Helen Hagstrom in Cash, Arkansas, October 20, 1925. Her parents, Fred and Helen were peanut and cotton farmers.

John Fullerton
3 min read


Why Now May Be a Key 2025 Moment To Sell Your House
But now that rates are coming down, buyer demand is getting better.

Heathery Tankersley
2 min read


Reader’s Corner: Plan now for next spring in the garden
Local Master Gardener and area resident expert Mary O’Brien will lead this informative session to help you identify ways to succeed in your spring garden planting by careful planning in the fall.

Cynthia J. Thomas
1 min read


Stock Market Insights: Bank earnings beat expectations, serving as bellwether for a strong economy
Dr. Richard Baker, AIF®, is the CEO and executive wealth advisor at Fervent Wealth Management. I read recently that a young Australian Shepherd dog was missing after a traffic accident, and everyone was to be on the lookout. Though he was a pet, his breed's original job was to herd sheep. Another great shepherding tool was the use of a bellwether, where the farmer put a bell around the neck of the lead sheep, causing the rest of the flock to stay grouped around him. Inve

Dr. Richard Baker
3 min read


Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Honk if you love Jesus
In hindsight, I know that I should have done what I could to get his attention regardless of whether he was offended by my horn or not.

Tiffany Gravett
2 min read


Reader’s Corner: Paws and Pumpkins in Crane
Stone County Library invites the community to a fun evening of “Paws and Pumpkins” on Saturday, October 18, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Crane City Park. This fun fall celebration for all ages will feature a pet show—with prizes!—along with potato sack and 3-legged races, tug-of-war, cupcake walk and more. There will be live music, and pickers are welcome! There’s also a chili cook-off, so plan to bring your favorite recipe for the judges to try. At least five food trucks

Cynthia J. Thomas
1 min read


‘I’m just telling everyone’
To climb a mountain and then do all that yelling, she must have been extraordinarily happy with how she was treated, to say nothing of her new glasses.

Lauri Lemke Thompson
2 min read


Reflections: Are my words uplifting or inflammatory?
One of my Scripture studies this week was Ephesians 4:29, “ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (NIV). With fairly strict parents and an even stricter church community as a child, I usually heard that verse used following what someone said when they hit their thumb with the hammer, or a couple of times when I tried out a phrase I heard from olde

Cynthia J. Thomas
2 min read


Where helicopters took center stage: Vietnam
The Vietnam War made billions of dollars for the helicopter industry, right technology, right place, right war.

Bob Ford
4 min read


Stock Market Insights: Gold at record highs - why investors are looking beyond the dollar
Joe Shearrer, CPFA® is Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Fervent Wealth Management. When the world feels uncertain — inflation high, government debt ballooning, central banks under pressure — investors tend to look beyond the dollar for a safety net. Gold, the age-old hedge, often leads that retreat. But to understand why, you must see them not as speculative gambles, but as symptoms of a deeper impulse: the urge to preserve value when faith in paper money wavers. Gold

Joe Shearer, CPFA
3 min read


Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Beware of 'mental flabbiness'
Mindfulness is essential for a life that glorifies God and isn’t shaped by evil cultural influences.

Tiffany Gravett
3 min read


Reader’s Corner: Kids’ events and book sale at KAL
Good things are continuing to happen at Kimberling Area Library during October! It’s not too late to plan a stop by the KAL Annual Fall...

Cynthia J. Thomas
1 min read


Leave it to our government to outlaw sliced bread
But what in the world would cause the U.S. Government to prohibit the sale of sliced bread?

Bob Ford
4 min read


Times Are A-Changing In “Branson” and Silver Dollar City
Back through the ‘50s, Rockaway Beach was the place in the Ozarks for people to come for vacations, senior getaways, etc. All that...

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Outdoors with Larry Dablemont: What about wild turkeys?
We talked about how, years back, we would see eight or ten strutting gobblers and hens in March and April back in the reaches of green fields along timber edges.

Larry Dablemont
4 min read


Reflections: Grounding and staying in the light
I have a couple of habits that I believe contribute to my health and have helped me through a couple of incidents and headed off others...

Cynthia J. Thomas
3 min read
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