October 2023

As the holidays are approaching, we go from the spooky fun of “what will I be?” To the fast movement to the Christmas spirit of, “I wonder what will be under the Christmas tree?” What happened to Thanksgiving, a thankful heart, a faithful heart? Today’s society has us fueling our trains on our feelings or false facts, leaving out what truly fuels the train and that is faith. Without my faith through all the obstacles I have faced, I wouldn’t have a thankful heart.

Hunting season was open on Friday against the Cubs of Monett, and the Cassville High School student section was taking no prisoners at Friday’s Barry County Brawl. From start to finish, these rabid fans sang, danced, cheered and chanted. They broke out all the classic chants, like “You can’t do that” and “Na, na, na, na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye.” A new one has snuck in this year about playing good “D” — makes me chuckle but is absolutely borderline out of line. I think we need a fishthemed chant for the playoffs; something like, “We will, we will, flop you!” That may need some work. Can someone get Danny Roper on the job?

Prep sports teams have an ebb and flow, and dynasties are exceedingly rare — unless you live in Lamar. Each sports season, schools typically see varying degrees of success.

I have never personally been affected by a breast cancer diagnosis; not my mother, grandmothers, or my aunts. Something I had always heard was that breast cancer is genetic, but according to the National Breast Cancer Society, only about 10 percent of breast cancer diagnosis come with a family history.