Opinion
Merlyn Johnson: Unsung heroes at Cassville schools
During the summer months, we celebrate the accomplishments of another successful year while simultaneously beginning to prepare for the next school year. Before we completely close-out this school year, I want to take a moment to express my appreciation for the hardworking and dedicated members of our transportation, maintenance, custodial, and food service departments for supporting all of our district accomplishments over the past 12 months.
Rich Cummings: I’d rather have Jesus
There is a game that many of you have played called “Would You Rather?” In this game someone asks the question “Would You Rather?” followed by two options that are almost identically horrible or distasteful. Would You Rather lick a public picnic table or try and pick up a skunk? As you can see, neither is all that satisfying or even desirable.
Kyle Troutman: Becoming a dad all over again
My sixth Father’s Day snuck up on me this year. With the recent storm damage to our office and upcoming trip to the annual International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors conference, it wasn’t until Friday or Saturday that I realized Sunday would be my day.
Dakoda Pettigrew: American Insights — The Mighty Endeavor
On Wednesday, June 5, 1944, the president spoke to the American people through a common and comforting medium: the fireside chat. “Yesterday,” Franklin Roosevelt began, “Rome fell to American and Allied forces.” In a voice ringing with optimism, the president added, “The first of the Axis capitals is now in our hands. One up and two to go!”
RECOVERVILLE SERIES: Kyle Troutman: Recap of the aftermath
Driving around Cassville the morning of May 26, about five hours after a severe storm and in traffic nearly as thick as Saturday’s Memories Cruise, I thought I was witnessing the worst storm damage Cassville had seen in a long time.
Jeremiah Buntin: Photographic memory
While walking the Cassville Greenway Trail near the ball fields one evening a few weeks ago, I noticed local photographer and Barry County Museum board member Chuck Nickle out taking photos of the kids in their baseball uniforms.
Drake Thomas: Rules in summer aren’t a bummer; the beauty of keeping a schedule during off seasons
Reading that title may give you pause. Summer is a time for respite, rejuvenation — and most importantly, no alarms — right? Why in the world would anyone want to keep their rigid normal schedule when the days are longer, and cookouts, ball games and pool parties seem to jump out from every direction? It is difficult to convince little minds that it is bedtime when the sun sits low and fat on the horizon boasting perfect playing light, before disappearing completely and giving the stage to twinkling fireflies that hover at the perfect height to be cupped and observed by tiny hands.
Kyle Troutman: It’s the inside that counts
On the south end of Cassville High School, the Performing Arts Center has taken its shape. The building, an impressive 36,025 square feet, is completely dried-in, meaning all exterior construction is complete and no precipitation will enter the building.
Jon Horner: What’s next?
As I started on this month’s column, the graduation season was concluding. That became the reason or idea for my “What’s Next” theme.
Janet Mills: The most honorable man I ever knew
Is the road to acquiring genuine compassion only found by traversing painful experiences? Is it in times of trials and suffering when our deepest bonds of connection to others are formed? Maybe a transformation takes place when we personally connect with our own pain and then we can truly begin to understand the pain and suffering of others. The hurdles and obstacles we face can easily embitter our outlook and cause us to become self-centered and even angry.
