To the editor: more

A better world! I’m not for sure if I know what that means. I know about the Tower of Babel story in the Bible when God intervened in the affairs of men, but I doubt if God is going to upset the apple cart, but we might be better off if He did. In regard to modern day technology, I call it A Consumed Life. more

In last week’s column, I was writing about the fact that my three-times great grandparents lived in the same area in Ozark County for years, but I couldn’t find any deeds or records that they owned any land. They all showed up on Census counts, so I know they were indeed living there. I didn’t quite know what to make of this. How can you live somewhere but have no ownership records? Were they there, or weren’t they? more

The first day of spring is three months away as I pen these lines with the season’s first seed catalog in hand. more

Hey there, let me tell you a story about a little adventure that unfolded right in front of my wall of windows. So, my office sits right on Washington Avenue, and due to some construction wizardry I pulled off a few months back, my desk area is now pretty much an extension of the sidewalk. It’s got its perks, you know, people-watching, being a part of the street's daily hustle without leaving my chair, that kind of thing. more

I hope you have all stayed warm and safe as those frigid temperatures blew through the state. The snow can be so beautiful but so treacherous as well. Here in the capitol, I’ve been busy at work for you. It’s only the fourth week of session so most of our time is spent in committee, hearing bills and debating policy.  more

My parents raised my siblings and me to show honor and respect, not only to our elders but also to our teachers, church leaders, police officers ... well, pretty much anyone in charge of anything.  more

About a month ago, my son, Max, forgot how to tie his shoes. He's been tying his shoes like a pro for more than a year now. So, he and his sister, Charlie, did what kids do these days — they looked up a tutorial on YouTube. The video combined with a quick refresher from my wife tied up the loose ends and Max was soon back in business.  more

Dear Readers, more

Several months ago, the West Plains Daily Quill debuted a new page called Local Voices. This special feature of the newspaper serves as a vibrant platform for local writers to share their stories, experiences, and perspectives, contributing immensely to the cultural and social fabric of the community. more

A friend called a few days ago asking if I had a lantern she could borrow, not an unusual request from someone needing a light, but she had another purpose. more

Having finished A New Year Parts 1-4, a question from some readers has been “Was that a true story?” The answer is yes, and it is based on my third, fourth, and fifth great-grandparents, the Hawkins family, who journeyed together from Warren County, Tennessee, in 1837, to what is now Ozark County, Missouri. They established Hawkins Ridge, their home before and after the Civil War, complete with an enduring school/church building and a cemetery where generations of my ancestors rest. more

I fell, hard. Not in a romantic “falling in love” or “falling head over heels for someone” way. Not even in a funny, cartoon, slipping on a banana peel way. I did go head over heels, but not in the way that anyone would want. more

Dear Readers, more

Next week, thousands of Farm Bureau members will be in Salt Lake City for the 105th American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. Much like our own state annual meeting, contests will be held, county and state Farm Bureaus will be recognized, and national Farm Bureau policies are set to be voted on and enacted for 2024. The convention takes place Jan. 19 through 24, and I’m excited to say that Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB) members will be in the thick of convention activities once again. more

To the editor: more

It’s time for our 11th Annual Princess Tea Party Story Time this Saturday, January 20th @ 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. This is our favorite activity of the year, and we are SO excited to host it again! Everyone is invited to come and have a good time with us. Pinky out! more

Pairs: old trees and old rivers, doves and Redbirds, maybe a double rainbow written in heaven above. And then there’s you and there’s me. more

I’ve come across the word “anachronism” often in reading, but I was never exactly sure what it meant. Context usually hinted it was something out of place, but I wanted to be sure; so, as a last resort I looked it up in the dictionary. more

You have arrived in the Ozarks of Missouri. Traveling for months with your spouse and three children, you have found the people you had heard of- the Hawkins’ family. This multigenerational Tennessee family had settled in 1837 on a border that was so undefined that they weren’t sure if they were in Missouri or Arkansas. It depended on who you asked. more