Call me a little biased, maybe very biased, but there’s something about a small town, particularly the town named Cassville, that you just can’t find anywhere else.

It’s not in the population count or the number of stoplights — it’s in the rhythm of the place, the quiet heartbeat of the collective goodwill, that has always been a trademark for our community, which I have so often compared with the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina.

There’s a comfort in the predictability and the beauty in the things that still exist here. The type of attributes, that many communities can only reminisce about as a part of their prior days of pride and glory are the activities and spirit that continue to make Cassville special.

That’s what makes this time of year such a special period for our community. During the past month and upcoming month our community has and will experience:

• The 32nd edition of The Show, directed by the legendary Greg Beck

• The Cassville Chamber Chili Cook Off

• Veterans recognition programs at our local schools

• Installation of the snowflake Christmas lights in a cooperative effort by Barry Electric Cooperative and the City of Cassville

• Lighting of the Nativity Scene on Oak Hill overlooking our beautiful town

• Exciting Friday night football

• Amazing halftime performances by the Wildcat Marching Band

• Holiday Open Houses held by many Cassville businesses

• The Wildcat Softball conference and district championships which resulted in a historic Final Four berth

• Meet the squad night to start basketball season

• Christmas parades, which start on December 6, in Exeter and Cassville All of these events play such an important part in our incredible sense of community, and they bring us together each and every year. It’s that time in which people notice, people remember, people show up, and most importantly — people care.

I’ve remarked many times that our holiday sense of community is similar to the mood from a predictable Hallmark movie, except we don’t all wear matching flannel shirts.

In a world that can feel louder and lonelier by the day, our community reminds us what it means to belong. This time of year reminds us that the measure of a community isn’t in its size, but in its sense of excitement and holiday spirit.

Maybe that’s why I love talking about America’s Real Hometown — not because we are perfect, but because this time of the year reminds us that kindness, connection, and a shared sense of community never go out of style.

Happy Holidays!

Jon Horner is a local community bank president, published author, newspaper columnist, motivational speaker, and mayor of America’s Real Hometown.

He can be reached at jonhorner77@
gmail.com.