November is almost over but the Christmas season has only begun, and with that notion comes the first holiday recipe. I've shared my Christmas pie before but wanted to balance the scales and share a cake recipe using cranberries, the berry of the season. I love all things cranberries, pie, jam, sauce, and muffins just to name a few. Too tart for some but cooked in sugar cuts the tartness leaving just enough for flavor. So, while these berries usually go on sale after Thanksgiving, they freeze well allowing you to stock up and try more recipes. Start with this easy upside-down cake, not just for pineapple anymore. I like to grate some orange peel on top for added holiday deliciousness. Tis the season.  more

Hey there, fellow comfort food connoisseurs! Today, I’m going to walk you through an epic, gourmet twist on the classic duo that’s comfort food royalty: the grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. Trust me, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill rainy day fare. We’re talking a culinary upgrade that'll have your taste buds singing and your Instagram popping! more

Editor’s note: Readers may enjoy this look back to deer season 2019 and the tasty selection of venison recipes passed along by You’vah. more

The Missouri Lottery announced this month it has awarded funds to schools statewide, raised from the sales of Scratchers and draw games lottery tickets in the 2023 fiscal year. more

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows young hunters ages 6-15 harvested 3,574 deer during Missouri’s late youth portion of the 2023 firearms deer hunting season, Nov. 24-26. Of the 3,574 deer harvested, 1,697 were antlered bucks, 361 were button bucks, and 1,516 were does. more

A West Plains woman was injured when her vehicle ran off the road at 7:25 a.m. Sunday on south U.S. 63, a half-mile south of Koshkonong in Oregon County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. more

Rick Batton served his country in the Army during the Vietnam War. Today, the 74-year-old gives back to his fellow veterans two or three days a week, volunteering to transport them to and from medical appointments. more

With the theme of "Courageous Conversations" for 2023, National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, held Nov. 1 through 30, is about to wrap up. more

When used in controlled, supervised conditions, fire can be a beneficial land management tool. However, it’s important to stress that prescribed fire involves planning and on-site management. more

The Willow Springs School Board voted at its November meeting to approve a bid for a new playground surface, as well as a new security camera. more

Officials with the Ozarks Heritage Research Center at Missouri State University-West Plains will host a presentation on the poetry of Christmas hymns at 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Garnett Library, 304 W. Trish Knight St., in West Plains. more

Editor’s note: Shane Hull is a sophomore at Missouri State University-West Plains who began his collegiate career as a traditional student — one who enrolls in college immediately following high school. These students have their own sets of challenges, from picking the college they want to attend to actually attending classes. In this column, Shane continues his story as a traditional college student by looking back at some of the highlights of his freshman year. more

Below are several upcoming events at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP), many of which are open to the community. Feel free to clip this calendar and keep it for your reference to make sure you don’t miss any events that might interest you. Also listed are several important dates on the university’s calendar that area residents might want to keep in mind.  more

University of Missouri Extension is one of 14 partners to organize the new Heartland Regional Food Business Center serving Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas. more

Thanksgiving, with its deep roots in American history, is a holiday that has evolved significantly since its origins in the early 17th century. It represents the blending of Native American and European traditions, symbolizing gratitude, community, and the celebration of the harvest. more

The First Presbyterian Church of West Plains continues to offer a unique way for community members to seek spiritual support, especially for those who might feel uncomfortable entering a church. Their innovative 'prayer wall,' a concept that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, remains a steadfast symbol of the church's commitment to serving the broader community's spiritual needs. more

For the past 25 years I have used a marital survey designed and developed in 1977 by Prepare Enrich when I counsel couples. It helps people prepare for marriage and as-sists married couples who are struggling. I am far from alone; pastors and counselors have used this resource with more than 4 million couples. more

Job 1:21 ...the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. more

Isaiah 40:3 says, “A voice cries out, ‘In the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord.’” In ancient times, when kings planned a journey, a crew was sent ahead to make sure the road—the way—was passable. They filled in the potholes, removed the obstacles, and repaired the road so the king and his entourage could make the journey. During these weeks before Christmas, let us prepare ourselves so that Jesus may come into our lives anew. Take time to pray and read the Bible each day. (Luke has 24 chapters. You could read one a day.) Remove the obstacles that keep us from Christ. Let go of selfishness and grudges. Cooking, shopping, and decorating are not the only preparations we need to make in this season. “Prepare the way of the Lord!” May God bless your week. Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

As families across the United States gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, a deeper exploration into the holiday's roots reveals a complex intertwining with Christian traditions and beliefs. Though widely regarded as a secular holiday centered around gratitude, Thanksgiving's historical and spiritual connections to Christianity offer a richer, more nuanced understanding of this annual celebration. more