One of the side effects of having an English degree is that I remember famous works of literature – but only the weird ones. The one I’m remembering lately is extra creepy. It’s a short story told by a narrator who insists he’s just nervous, not crazy. He’s anxious because he killed an old man for a bizarre reason: He couldn’t stand the sight of the old man’s “vulture eye,” – which is a pale blue eye with a cloudy film.
more
By Gwen Rockwood
Syndicated Columnist
|
1/15/24
|
I started to believe that America was the greatest country in the world at an early age, thanks to my first hero: Superman. For those who were not a fan, let me explain.
more
By Jack Miller
Guest Columnist
|
1/12/24
|
Richard “I am not a crook” Nixon once famously said to David Frost in a 1977 interview, “Well, when the president does it … that means that it is not illegal” (tinyurl.com/3cv4x8bk). That statement in itself is startling, but what is more startling is to read his twisting, tortuous attempt at logic in the statements preceding that one, trying to justify the President’s doing something illegal in order to benefit himself.
more
By Deborah Mitchell
Contributing Columnist
|
1/12/24
|
My grandfather works with his hands. Right out of high school, he married his sweetheart and bought an old dairy farm in west central Illinois. Though he didn’t work in milk cows, he and my grandmother raised beef cattle, sheep, horses and hogs, and grew corn, beans, wheat and hay. Though they have downsized the farm in recent years, they are still working hard today.
more
By Liz Schleicher
Contributing Columnist
|
1/12/24
|
February is the shortest month, but can go for a long time, especially this leap year. More wine is drunk in February in the U.S. than in any other month. Wonder why? L’amore! Or in English, love!
more
By Turf D. Martin
Guest Columnist
|
1/12/24
|
The word “saved” seems to be suffering from misuse, abuse, and, in some religious circles, even nervous avoidance. It is a perfectly OK word, you know, used extensively by Jesus and the Apostles, as well as by millions of born-again Christians around the world.
more
By P.C. Thomas
Sedalia Bible Academy
|
1/11/24
|
As Missouri legislators begin their 2024 session, they might want to consider a recent Missouri Supreme Court decision striking down a significant bill lawmakers passed in 2022.
more
By Phill Brooks
Guest Columnist
|
1/9/24
|
My mother is radioactive. You wouldn’t know it by looking at her. She’s dozing in a recliner, and the only hint that something is wrong is the sign on the door, which reads “Caution: Radioactive materials.”
more
By Gwen Rockwood
Syndicated Columnist
|
1/9/24
|
Law officers in Sedalia, Pettis County, Benton County, and Hickory County, as well as the Highway Patrol and the Burns Detective Agency, continued to search for the two young men and a young woman who had robbed Sedalia’s Union Savings Bank of approximately $700 on Dec. 18, 1930.
more
By Rhonda Chalfant
Contributing Columnist
|
1/9/24
|
We’ve turned the page on 2023, an event that used to be a lot bigger deal than it is today.
more
By Doug Kneibert
Contributing Columnist
|
1/5/24
|
The weathermen say we’re about to get walloped by a big ol’ snowstorm early next week. Or maybe just a few inches. Or nothing at all.
more
By Liz Schleicher
Contributing Columnist
|
1/5/24
|
Max and I are always late to the party.
more
By Deborah Mitchell
Contributing Columnist
|
1/5/24
|
Happy New Year! I’m starting off 2024 writing a monthly column for the Sedalia Democrat, so let me start this adventure by telling you a little bit about myself.
more
By Sherry Broyles
Contributing Columnist
|
1/5/24
|
I read an article not long ago by someone lamenting the loss of cursive writing and I had to agree that it is a shame to see beautiful penmanship going away.
more
By Jack Miller
Guest Columnist
|
1/2/24
|
There’s no month quite like January. It wants us awake at the stroke of midnight for parties, fireworks, a kiss, and a toast to the New Year. But then it steamrolls in at daybreak with demands that we drop and give it 50 push-ups before the first cup of coffee.
more
By Gwen Rockwood
Syndicated Columnist
|
1/2/24
|
“Singing school was to be in the church … He had paid tuition for two and bought a singing book. The class was already there, and Mr. Clewett was seating them. He placed the bass singers in a group, the tenors in another, and sopranos and altos in groups. Then he taught them the names and values of the notes, the holds, the slurs, and the rests, and the bass, tenor, and treble clefs. After this, he allowed a short recess, and basses, altos, tenors and sopranos all mixed together, talking and laughing, until Mr. Clewett called them to order again.
more
By Liz Schleicher
Contributing Columnist
|
12/29/23
|
After the holiday celebrations and respite, hopefully we will be ready to face the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities the new year will bring.
more
By Janice Ellis
Guest Columnist
|
12/29/23
|
At this time last year, the column I wrote to mark the end of one year and the start of another lamented that the 2020s weren’t turning out how anyone had hoped or predicted. Well, here we are again at the end of yet another year that feels like the poster child for a dumpster fire that we’ve all learned to just deal with in the background of our everyday lives.
more
By Nicole Cooke
ncooke@sedaliademocrat.com
|
12/29/23
|
In August, I said to myself, “Well, summer is almost over, and then my birthday, and then Oct. 1, and I will blink, and it will be the end of the year.” And here we are.
more
By Deborah Mitchell
Contributing Columnist
|
12/29/23
|
My wife and I recently saw “Queen Esther” at the Sight and Sound Theatre in Branson. It was our first time going, and it was beautiful. It was an impressive show with live animals, huge sets with intricate details, and incredibly talented people singing and acting.
more
By Bob Wauchope
Lead Pastor, Maplewood Church
|
12/28/23
|