Dear Readers, more

It’s less than two weeks before Christmas Day, and our children’s Christmas books as well as adult Christmas novels and movies are being checked out as quickly as we get them in! A good selection of Christmas books and movies can be found on the endcap displays throughout the library. more

We’ll be going into winter soon, Dec. 21 — maybe sooner if Mother Nature gets impatient. more

This story came from a 98-year-old lady from my church, Ginny. I interviewed Ginny in the nursing home about her favorite Christmas for a booklet we were making. She explained that she was from a large family who never had much, so their Christmases were very simple. Some years were better than others with candy and small gifts. Other years there were no presents for anyone. more

Sam Walton began his business ventures in a Ben Franklin store in Newport, Arkansas and after failing to renew the lease, he was forced out and wound up in Bentonville, Arkansas where it became Walton’s 5 & 10 (cents). Out of that humble beginning Walmart has become a retail giant empire spread through-out the world. more

Alright, let's get real for a second. Have you ever caught yourself doing something totally random when you're stressed out? I have. And it's weirdly specific: I whistle "Swinging On A Star." Yeah, that old Bing Crosby tune. Why? I haven't the foggiest. It's not even in my top 100 Spotify jams. But when the stress hits, my lips just start doing their thing. more

Dear Readers, more

I’ve learned a lot about farming in my 75 years, but most of it I’ve forgotten within the last 10. more

The cheapest things in grocery stores are bananas. Sue and I buy them when they are a little green. They are perishable and the retailers have to keep them moving. Anyway they are a bargain. more

My days off from the library are always crazy busy, but this week included a trip to the veterinarian’s office that I hadn’t counted on. more

How many people remember driving down the road and seeing a train going on tracks alongside of your car? Back before kids could watch their laptops and play games on them, just about anything out of the ordinary was interesting. Especially trains. How many engines did it have? Did it have passenger cars? Cars that haul automobiles? Was it carrying big machinery or loads of coal? But the real excitement came at the end of the train- the little red caboose! more

Let's talk about something that's probably a part of all our lives but doesn't get enough spotlight - comfort movies. You know, those films we keep returning to, like a favorite sweater or a trusted old friend. For me, that movie is "Apollo 13." And here's the kicker: it's not even what I'd call my favorite movie. It's just... special. more

Missouri Farm Bureau’s 109th annual meeting runs this Sunday through next Tuesday, following a special meeting for County Farm Bureau Presidents today. Our annual meeting is full of tried-and-true traditions. more

Just like it is for many people, the holiday season is a rough time for me. more

Dear Readers, more

I was standing in the backyard taking a little reprieve from raking leaves and picking up sticks. Trust me, it’s good for the heart, I hope. We have been at 2112 Cambridge Drive for 50 years. I was observing some of the neighbors’ houses and yards, keenly observing how many of the leaves were blowing into our yard and how many were leaving by way of the wind; of much greater importance, I was remembering some of the neighbors who had lived in our neighborhood in the significance of their lives. more

I live in West Plains, Missouri, about five miles west on Highway 160. I know I live here because even though I don’t live in the city limits, that is my postal address. My cellphone shows West Plains as my location – most of the time. A few years ago, the town that showed up occasionally on my screen was Cottbus which I found very strange. I did some research and found that Cottbus was a small town with a discontinued post office in Howell Township. more

Alright, let me take you on a little journey – a journey that’s all about my love for vinyl records. You know, there’s something downright magical about dropping the needle on a record and hearing the music come alive. It's like the physical contact between the needle and vinyl creates not just sound, but an entire experience. I mean, sure, listening to tunes on a phone or CD is convenient, but it just doesn’t hold a candle to the vinyl experience. more

Now that we are past Thanksgiving Day, the library is being decorated for the holidays and welcomes patrons to come check out a few of our Christmas books to add to the holiday spirit at home! more

The Willow Springs Tuesday Study Club met at the Willow Springs Senior Center on Nov. 7 with Mary Knott as hostess. After a brief business meeting, Mary gave the following presentation: more