Opinion
Amanda Reed: Surrendering all
My whole life, I always felt out of place, with no sense of belonging or direction in life. I knew in my heart something was missing.
Kyle Troutman: Examples to follow
As I venture deeper and deeper into business ownership in Cassville, being employer rather than employee, nights like Saturday’s Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet also take on an expanded meaning.
Jim Erwin: The weather may change, but God and his goodness never does
ERWIN There is a saying in the Ozarks: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait long enough and it will change.” The weather here can change dramatically. Temperatures can rise or fall within a couple of hours.

Trout Tales, March 15
Strutted in my tailored scales this weekend at the annual Cassville Chamber Banquet. The sweet southern sounds of the 221 Band had my tail flipping all night, and I was relieved to see pork, brisket and chicken on the menu — no fish! I want to congratulate my friend David Cupps on his Lifetime Achievement Award. His speech was a tear jerker. According to unoffishial reports, leakage from Cupps and others in the room has led to a 6-inch rise in Roaring River Spring. Thanks for keeping our dogs, cats, cows, horses and fellow trout alive, David!

Jon Horner: The financial impact of public education
I love public education! As a product of public education in Missouri and a board member of Cassville R-IV School District, I find the impact and the concept of offering all children in our state an education to be amazing and life changing. Other than my parents, some of the greatest influences on my life have been educators.
Janet Mills: Making lemonade from lemons
Eww — Mushy tomatoes, rusty lettuce, and decomposed squash commonly take up residency in the bottom of our refrigerator crisper drawers. We cringe and moan about letting them go to waste and promise ourselves not to allow that to happen the next time around.
H. Lynn Hilburn: Placing animal processing effluent on farmland
In addition to having a house in the city, my wife and I have recently purchased some acreage southeast of Cassville that is cleared and produces a lot of hay when we want to put up hay bales, or we can lease it out to someone who is raising cattle.
Lisa Roark: Physician, heal yourself
March of 2020 was a month that changed many people’s lives forever. It was the dreaded beginning of COVID.
Kyle Troutman: Balancing success, dissatisfaction
Defeat does not define you; your response does. This phrase consumed my thoughts as I was driving home after the MSHSAA State Wrestling Championships a couple of weeks ago.

Trout Tales
I’ve survived my 10th Opening Day! It was great to see all my friends, like Scott Hettinger and Joel Topham and even Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe. Thousands of my brothers did not make it, but their sacrifice is not in vain — it’s in butter and oil!



