Mark your calendars to stop by Summersville Library during business hours next Wednesday!! more

Sunday morning awhile back — February 18, to be exact — our whole clan was on hand for a Hallelujah moment. more

This week, I wanted to write about some of the differences we noticed while on our vacation to northern Arizona from our home in the Ozarks. They are complete opposites in every way. I would have to say Sedona is wonderful, but I wouldn’t want to live there. more

In an age where the dialogue of art intertwines ever more intricately with the narratives of social justice and cultural identity, the announcement of Charly Palmer's visit to our community heralds not just an event but a momentous occasion that demands our collective anticipation and contemplation. While the formal announcement awaits its grand unveiling in the pages of the Saturday edition of the Quill, the news is too significant, too charged with meaning and potential, for me to hold my peace until then. The decision by Crockett and Tonya Oaks, the visionaries behind the rejuvenation of the Lincoln School, to invite Palmer to our community is not merely an act of bringing an artist to exhibit. It is an invitation to engage, to confront, and to celebrate the layers of our history and the vibrancy of our present through the medium of visual art. more

Dear Readers, more

“Won't You Be My Neighbor Day” will be observed at Summersville Library on Wednesday, March 20. It’s a perfect opportunity to remember the legacy of Fred Rogers, the beloved host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. His show taught valuable lessons about kindness, empathy, and self-worth to generations of children, and this day allows us to celebrate and continue his message. more

Around January 15 of this year, my husband and I decided that the arctic-like weather we were having was just too much for us. The temperature highs that week had been 0, 10, and 13 degrees, and it wasn’t looking good for a warm-up anytime soon. So, I remembered the old saying, “Everyone always complains about the weather, but no one ever does anything about it!” more

As a young boy growing up in West Plains on Walker street, right off of Grace, drinking nickel cokes and R.C.s (Royal Crown Colas), and occasionally eating a moon pie at Elba Francis Walker street grocery, I could never dreamed of what I have been blessed to have seen and heard in my life. more

Hey there, West Plains enthusiasts and supporters of all things local! As the dust settles on the frenzied voting frenzy of our beloved annual Best of West Plains, I'm here to spill some tea, share some thanks, and maybe drop a little wisdom along the way. So, grab your favorite beverage, get cozy, and let's dive into the heart of our community's vibrant showcase. more

Dear Readers, more

March 2 is the birthday of a world-famous American children's author and cartoonist. more

I’ve never depended on farming for my bread and butter, but I can thank FFA —Future Farmers of America, in my day — for launching my career as a journalist. more

Since I wrote a column detailing who Silas Claiborne Turnbo was and why his writings were important in the history of the Ozarks, I thought I’d add a sample of his work. more

Ah, the Ozarks. The land where weather forecasters must feel like they're crafting a particularly unpredictable narrative every single day. It's a place where you might wake up contemplating whether today's outfit leans more towards "beach-ready" or "bundled up like an Arctic explorer." As I sit here, tapping away at my keyboard, I'm decked out in a t-shirt, and I kid you not, considering swapping my khakis for shorts. And yes, the air conditioner in my car was my best friend during lunch. But as you're reading this, chances are you're wrapped up in a coat, wondering if I'm living in a parallel universe. By the time the weekend hits, we'll be riding another temperature rollercoaster back to the sunny, cheerful 70s. more

Dear Readers, more

Suddenly, I hear dogs barking across a farmer’s barren field, where cattle wait for their winter ration. The day is cold and cloudy, the dampness chilling to the bone. more

It is the fourth subzero day of January as I put pen to paper, every day of which I have devoted to mining for inspiration for my February columns. more

Change, that ever-constant presence in our lives, seems to be a concept we have a love-hate relationship with. On one hand, we're creatures of habit, seeking comfort in the familiar, the routine, the "way it's always been." On the other hand, there's this innate hunger for growth, improvement, and the thrill of something new. This duality within us makes navigating change a complex, often emotionally charged process, even when the change in question is something we thought we wanted. more

Dear Readers, more

When my colleagues selected me to lead the Ways and Means Committee in Congress, which has responsibility for writing our tax laws, I promised that my number one priority would be looking out for the interests of working-class Americans, small businesses, and family farmers. From day one in my role as chairman, I have worked around the clock to write legislation that would deliver on that promise. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, a pro-worker, pro-family, and pro-American tax cuts package will directly benefit thousands of hardworking families in southeast and south-central Missouri. Having passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support on Jan. 31, this bill is one step closer to becoming law. more