Opinion

Dakoda Pettigrew: American Insights: The Two Worlds
On September 19, 1796, the president’s farewell address appeared in Philadelphia’s Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser. The address, written by George Washington with the aid of Alexander Hamilton, contained many important themes.

Jim Erwin: Reaching My Potential — Ephesians 3:20-21
We often hear promises about reaching our potential. They tell us to follow a certain path, subscribe to a social media influencer or simply believe in ourselves. However, the Bible guides us differently. It teaches that God is the one who helps us reach our potential.

Kyle Troutman: Annual dose of Vitamin C ahead
Grab your family, friends and boxes of tissues — graduation season is upon us. Five local schools will send off their seniors between Thursday and May 17, about 300 freshfaced adults, thrusting them into the worlds of college, trade school or the job market after having guided many for over a decade.

Jeremiah Buntin: Pioneer of Oak Hill Cemetery
This past week, the headstone for my grandmother’s grave at Oak Hill Cemetery was finally set. Visiting the Cassville cemetery to see the stone brought to mind an obituary I had read a few months ago in a Springfield newspaper from 1845 for Hugh W.

Dakoda Pettigrew: American Insights: Rescuing the Experiment
As the snow fell at Mount Vernon in March 1785, George Washington was deeply concerned. Two years after the Treaty of Paris ended the War of Independence, America faced imminent ruin.

Donnie Spears: Make a stand for God
First, Live in The Fear of the Lord; Proverbs 14:26,27 ”In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.“ What is it to walk in the “Fear of the Lord”. It is obedience, it is trust, it is complete confidence, it is comfort and a place of safety .

Drake Thomas: Weathering the storm — The unpredictability of child behavior
It seems that spring has sprung here in the Ozarks! Daffodils and dogwoods are in full bloom, the grass and trees have returned to their lively green selves, and a buzz down any road out of city limits will likely show you new spring calves and lambs at their mothers’ sides. As warm and enjoyable as the weather has been, as a born and bred Missourian, I know that the sweet spring weather can quickly turn sour.

Kyle Troutman: Never question the fun
There are a lot of questions asked at the annual Cassville Education Fund Trivia Night, 60 to be precise, but one aspect of the evening is never questioned — you will have a blast. I have covered Trivia Night almost every year in the past decade, and it seems to get better and better every year.

Jon Horner: Happy World Creativity and Innovation Day
What a great time to celebrate creativity and innovation! Sunday was World Creativity and Innovation Day, and this month we got to witness the Great American Eclipse, which definitely didn’t disappoint after the massive publicity build up ahead of the event. The eclipse and the excitement building up to it was very similar to the excitement in our nation during the NASA Moon program in the late 60s.

Kyle Troutman: Productive race ahead (we hope)
After 20 years of the same person holding the position of sheriff, Barry County in August will have its third contested election for the post, to be settled in the Aug. 6 Republican Primary Election.