If humming is a sure sign of happiness, we have some very happy children creating Lego masterpieces as I write my column this Saturday morning. The lovely harmony created by one family reminds me of bees buzzing in a flowerbed! more

It was one of those random conversations spurred by a bit on the news about population growth: Benton County, Arkansas, has experienced phenomenal growth. more

This week, I’d like to feature a book called “2 Good 2 Be 4Gotten” by Dr. Max Decker. Written in 2012, the author of this book, Max, was my Cousin Twice Removed (my Grandpa’s first cousin.) His mother, Gladys Martin Decker, was a sister to Katie Martin Patillo (my great grandmother.) My second great-grandparents were Richard Cowden Martin and Tennessee James Martin. more

Last weekend, as the pulsing beats and eclectic vibes of Coachella's second weekend filled the air of Palm Desert, many of us found ourselves far from the action, yet deeply connected thanks to the wonders of technology. There I was, sprawled on my couch, streaming the festival live on YouTube, a makeshift festival-goer in the digital age. more

Hello readers, more

To the editor: more

Summersville Friends of the Library will hold their popular Spring Plants & Books Sale on Friday, April 26th, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donated plants may be dropped off @ the library the day before the sale or the morning of. more

I told myself I wouldn’t write this column, but Angela just won’t let go, nor would I wish it so. This is for all who mourn Angelas of their own: more

This afternoon as I was driving down the road on my way home, I looked to my right and saw a living picture of the Ozarks. There were two handsome brown horses grazing in a pasture. Behind them was a tree line with a steep hill rising up to the sky. Everything was green, or in the process of turning that way. It made me feel grateful that I get to see such beauty every day of my life. more

Last weekend unfolded like the pages of a vibrant, deeply inspiring storybook in West Plains, one penned by the visits of Charly Palmer and Dr. Karida Brown. The anticipation in the air was palpable as Crockett and Tonya Oaks, the transformative figures behind the Lincoln School’s renovation, introduced these luminaries to our community. And I was there, right in the thick of it, thrilled beyond words to sit down with both of them for what turned into an unforgettable morning. more

April is National Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Awareness Month, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 20 million new STD cases in the U.S. every year. more

It’s time to be honest with you. more

Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” But for Missouri farmers, taxes are about to become a lot more uncertain. Barring action from Congress, many key tax provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will expire at the end of 2025, leading to a significant tax increase for our state’s agricultural industry. more

Dear Readers, more

Now that most of our spring library parties are completed, and Eclipse 2024 is part of history, we are jumping into the planning for our Summer Reading Program 2024 with both feet! more

Good news, armchair critics: Young people can still write compelling and coherent prose and poetry with exceptional candor and grammatical skill. more

Dear readers and our warmly welcomed guests, more

Missourians have an incredible opportunity and responsibility to impact how broadband deployment funds will be distributed across our state. For the first time, Missourians can provide on-the-ground feedback about which homes and businesses still lack access to reliable, high-speed broadband.  more

I will bet that when you saw the title of this column today that you thought it might be about the Eclipse. But, no, my subject is something much less grand and not nearly as exciting. But it is something that will affect everyone in the Ozarks this summer. more

This month marks one of my favorite editions of Rural Missouri. Every year our members decide what is the best of the best in the Show-Me State. So, I thought I would give you my list of top things in the state as well.  more