Opinion

The heart of Cassville has been exposed in the last two weeks, as we have faced tragedy after tragedy with little signs of slowing. The first break in the barrage came Sunday at the courthouse square, where more than 100 people gathered on just seven hours’ notice to grieve, love, support and uplift one another through whichever loss was affecting them most.

Our little community has been struck by an unimaginable amount of tragedy these past few weeks. Whether you knew none or all of the people or families involved, the weight on the community as a whole is tangible.

If you’re like me, then you know the confusion of being a young adult, and if you’re not at this age, I’m sure you remember. There’s this drive to experience life and the need to start planning your life all rolled into one.

Donned my cowboy hat again and went to Bill Hailey Arena on Saturday for one of my favorite events, Ridin’ With Mason Lowe. The competition is amazing and the stock is strong, judging by the number of buck-offs in the first section. That entertainment is fun, but even better entertainment for me is Pork Chop! The rodeo clown may have hips that connect to his ankles (his words, not mine) but what he lacks in shins he makes up for in jokes. It’s got me thinking about trying my hand at the rodeo entertainer game. If Pork Chop can elude bulls as easily as he does, why can’t I? I’ll be testing out my fins over the next year to see how quick I can be. I am a little anxious about using a barrel though. Isn’t there some saying about those and fish? More research needs to be done.

The Cassville community is growing, and in more ways than one. This week, we have a story on the Barry County Community Garden, a project pushed by Cassville business Harvick Farms and with the help of the MU Extension and a host of volunteers and donors.

What is the first thing you think of when someone mentions Dolly Parton? A petite blonde woman who is a singer, songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, activist, icon? She is all of those things. Her philanthropy came to Barry County in 2022 through her Imagination Library.

With the rap of a gavel in both chambers slightly before 6 p.m. on May 12, the Missouri legislative session came to a close.

Another Kids’ fishing Day is in the books at Roaring River State Park, and it was a beautiful one! The birdsa were singing, the flies were skipping across the water and my third cousin found a new home on the wall of a family from Joplin! He’s not the singing and dancing kind of fish, but he will sure look fine as ever as long as he gets a good taxidermist. But enough about him; kudos to all volunteers and staff involved in Kids’ Fishing Day. A lot has to happen to allow so many to fish for free, and we salute those who help teach and make the day happen.

It’s one of those weeks and weekends where I had inspiration for a column this week, but news has happened and the story I was going to write about didn’t make it in this week. It’s Tuesday afternoon — one hour from deadline — and I’ve been running ragged all weekend and playing catch-up the past 48 hours, this week’s piece is what I’m going to call a deadline dump.

We are in the midst of graduation season. I love this time of year. It’s wonderful to see young men and women as they complete their journey in education and embark upon the next chapter of their lives.