If you have perennial plants you need to over winter outdoors, you must water them regularly through the fall and once a month through the winter. The soil should be moist to the touch. Do not water to the point the soil becomes soggy. more

Dear Editor: more

Earlier this week, the Missouri State High School Activities Association ruled that the young ladies of Houston High School’s volleyball team must forfeit their win in the Class 2 District 8 championship. Despite an appeal, the MSHSAA decreed that the Lady Tigers could not advance to sectional play against Stover. more

Some years ago, a student in my Argument class proposed writing a paper supporting the death penalty. I hesitated. The Supreme Court has made the law pretty clear regarding the death penalty, but because he wanted to do it, I gave the green light. more

The Democrat’s 20 Under 40 is back for the fifth year, and I’m happy to say that West Central Missouri has no shortage of impressive young professionals worthy of recognition. more

The Bible is admittedly full of difficult truths and deep theology. One can spend a lifetime studying Scripture without the well drying up. However, the Bible is simple enough for anyone to understand its clear and obvious meaning. Nowhere is that clearer than the creation account of male and female in Genesis 1.  more

I don’t like to admit it, but I haven’t always been a great listener. more

Israel has only one friend in the world, the United States. That’s why two aircraft carriers and 2,000 Marines are loitering in the eastern Mediterranean, just in case they’re needed. more

I’m trying to teach myself how to crochet (again). more

Almost immediately after 9/11, some “patriot” shot and killed a man at a gas station in Arizona. He thought he was doing everyone a big favor by doing away with a Muslim – you know, because Muslims committed the atrocities of that horrible day. more

It finally happened. After a stifling summer in the broiler, fall temperatures dipped to a crisp, cool 58 degrees. And that meant it was time for the annual changing of the closet. more

Just when I have adjusted to a new month, I realize that it is 2/3 of the way gone! I blinked and October is nearly over! more

One week from today, I’ll be celebrating one of my favorite holidays – Lights On Afterschool! What? Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. more

The current situation between Palestine and Israel has me in a bad way. more

Learning about an individual can be interesting for the historian and delightful for a genealogist. The task can also prove frustrating. more

It has taken a long time, but I have finally arrived. The goal is not something I actively sought, and I even tried to delay its coming, but alas, it has caught up with me. more

The underside of Donald Trump’s bus more

While last week’s news about the debacle surrounding the Speaker of the House was bad enough, this week’s news of Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel was stunning in its cruelty. Israel’s Prime Minister has declared war on Hamas, and the people in Israel have suffered unspeakable horror at the hands of terrorists. more

“One of the pleasures of being General-in-Chief of the Army is the opportunity to travel around this great country. That pleasure includes speaking to bodies such as this. But as I look upon the many eager young faces here at this Michigan Military Academy, I have a feeling that there are many of you who look upon war as all glory, and look to the day when you can use the skill you have acquired here. SUPPRESS IT! SUPPRESS IT, I SAY! You don't know the horrible aspects of war. I've been through two wars and I know. I've seen cities and homes burned and in ashes. I've seen thousands of men lying on the ground, their dead faces looking up at the skies. I tell you, WAR is HELL! more

Fall is in the air and it’s a little spooky at the library this month! more