Cassville

$16K raised for Share Your Christmas
Jill LeCompte, left, accepts a check for $16,686.53 on behalf of Share Your Christmas, a service of the ozark Area Action Corporation’s Barry County Neighborhood Center. This year, Share your Christmas provided gifts to 100 families and 315 children. Joei Blankenship, right, and Will Finch, were named Miss and Mr. Merry Christmas at Cassville High School for raising the most donations to the cause.

Jon Horner: A new chapter awaits
Here we are at the end of 2024. Now, we are getting ready to open the next page of our lives to a new chapter called 2025.

Kyle Troutman: 2024 in review
I’ve been pondering this piece for a few days, and every time I do, I land at the same question — where do I even begin? To say this year has been a whirlwind is an understatement. We started 2024 with a gleam in our eyes, coming off our first year of ownership of the Democrat where we enjoyed incredible support and success.

Janet Mills: Thrive in 2025
Make a toast, sing Auld Lang Syne, and eat some black-eyed peas for good luck! The clock strikes twelve midnight on Dec. 31, and a fresh New Year is ushered in.
News briefs, Jan. 1
The Roaring River Nature Center on Jan. 11 and Feb.

Skits supplement sounds of the season at Winter Concert
With the guidance of Shane Paul, Santa Claus emerged victorious in the battle with his barbarian son during a skit as part of the Winter Concert on Dec. 7. Santa celebrated his victory with the middle school band members.

Cutting up for Christmas
Chase Ruark, front, Wyatt Hollingsworth, right, and Eli Roper, on the floor work together to transport a table across the gym floor during a game at Cassville High School’s Christmas assembly on Thursday.

Wrestling squads compete in Christmas tournaments
Publisher’s Note: The Cassville boys and girls wrestling teams each competed in separate tournaments over the weekend. The Wildcats wrestled in the Harrisonville Christmas Tournament, and the Lady Wildcats in the 2024 Lady Mustangs Christmas Clash. Due to the Cassville Democrat's holiday print deadline, results were not available at presstime. Coverage of both events will be in the Jan. 1 issue.

Angel Tree, toy drive completed at Herrin Animal Hospital
Herrin Animal Hospital in Cassville collected toys in recent weeks for its 25th Annual Holiday Toy Drive. “It is always heartwarming to see the community come together to support our toy drive,” Dr. Brent Herrin said.

Kyle Troutman: A completely Cassville Christmas
Idon’t know about you, but this year, I feel like my heart has grown a size or two amidst the outpouring of local Christmas cheer. I’m no Scrooge by any means, but Christmas — especially as a parent — can bring equal amounts of stress and joy.