Opinion

Trout Tales, July 17
I stopped by the FEMA Event Center last week to see my favorite hillbilly, Rusty Pliers. This magician and ventriloquist performed for the Cassville Branch Library’s Summer Reading Program, and the YMCA day campers enjoyed the show, too.

Kyle Troutman: Taking the leap
In August 2012, my friends and I took a day trip to Greers Ferry, Ark., for a few hours on the lake and an early-20s pasttime — cliff jumping. Looking down over the edge of the 30-foot cliff was a little dizzying, and if we’re being honest, even after watching my buddy launch himself off without a bit of hesitation, I was scared.

Drake Thomas: All aboard for imagination station — Nurturing creativity in children and ourselves
The human brain is responsible more functions than we can count, but the phenomenon of imagination is one that I can never get enough of. When you stop to think that in your mind’s eye, you can conceptualize and visualize a project or idea, and make it come to life — that’s incredible.

Jon Horner: Lessons from Mom
There’s an old line that time heals all wounds. I truly believe that line is true in most cases and situations in life.

Randy Crane: How to be safe
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear….

Kyle Troutman: Join us for Friday’s forum
Have you ever lost sleep from a mixture of excitement and anxiety? Such has been the case for me the past couple nights as my mind has raced and raced in anticipation of this Friday, when the Cassville Democrat will host its first political forum under Troutman Media LLC ownership. At 7 p.m.

Janet Mills: Swatting flies and eating fries
Summer’s here, and along with it comes our routine pastimes and experiences. Fans are whirling 24/7 as the hot and sticky summer days have settled in.

Donnie Spears: Completing the task
Philippians 3:12-14 “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which l Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Kyle Troutman: Cassville’s new mural — a visual speed bump
KYLE TROUTMAN Last summer, while retrieving my daily mug of coffee, I watched the mural on the side of Sunshine Coffeehouse go from sketch to completion, thinking in my head every morning — how can we get on the mural project list? That prospect was not even on my mind this spring when Morgan Williams, Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce director, asked us if we would like to donate the west side of our building for a mural. As I have told anyone who’s asked me about it, we could not say yes fast enough.

Michelle Hilburn: Realizing the importance of science of reading strategies
As I enter my 19th year in education, I have experienced a number of shifts in the profession which include new strategies, new requirements, and new evidence to study. The most recent literacy education approach adapts learning strategies to align to the science of reading.