Opinion

Bill Hodgson: Developments and Independence Day
I was happy to read the Guest View article, “American Insights: The right to resist” in the Cassville Democrat last week, outlining from a faith background, the history of how our nation’s founders reached conclusion that resisting tyranny can be reconciled with passages about respecting governing authorities.

Kyle Troutman: Internationally home
There’s nothing like a distant trip to make you appreciate the comforts of home, and after four days 763 miles from Cassville as the crow flies, the Troutman family is happy to be back. Our trip to Toronto, Canada, was two years in the making, spurred by our first time attending the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE) conference in Lexington, Kent., in 2022, where I accepted a Golden Dozen award for editorial writing.

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.

Dakoda Pettigrew: American Insights — The right to resist
Born at Cape Cod and educated at Harvard, the Reverend Samuel West was a patriot. But above all, he was a devoted servant of God who sought to live in accordance with God’s Word.

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.