Opinion

In many places, groups of Christians observe seasons of the year as they correspond to events in salvation history or in the life of Christ. In many places, the beginning of a Christian year would be marked by a season commemorating the coming of Christ, called Advent.

This week is one in the year where everyone young and old is posed the same question, “What are you thankful for?” When I answered this question in years past, it tended to be pretty monotonous. I’m thankful to have a job, have the love of my family and to be generally surviving the world as it is.

Are you worthy of God’s love and forgiveness? I am surprised at the people that don’t think they are. If God was to leave you a note on the kitchen counter this morning it might read something like this: “To my precious child.

For the historical editorial for this month, I was going to write about why the original St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad spur line from Plymouth (Monett) to Fort Smith, Ark., didn’t go through the county seat of Barry County, or through Cassville. There’s got to be a story there, but I was not finding much information, so we will pursue this story at another time.

The first half of the 2023-2024 school year is nearing an end. We have joined in celebrating many awesome student-centered accomplishments so far this year and are hopeful to continue more great things as we move into the Spring semester.

It was April 6, 2017, and I was a nervous wreck. Bob Mitchell, editor of the Cassville Democrat from 1954-1995 and columnist through 2022, was to be inducted into the Regional Media Hall of Fame at Missouri Southern State University that night.

When I profiled Bob Mitchell in Connection Magazine in 2016, he delivered one of the most memorable quotes I’ve heard from a newspaperman. As we wrapped up the interview at his home in Cassville, my final question was, “Would you have done anything differently?” ““I’ve got no remorse about anything,” he said resolutely.

When I was asked to write something about Bob, I said I would have to think about it, and after thinking back over 25 years I worked with him at the Democrat office, a lot of things did come to mind. Bob was a good boss.

I will never forget how nervous I was walking through the doors of the Cassville Democrat office for the first time. It was 1986, and I was a recent graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

A step was made toward progress for the Citizens For Justice — Barry County on Nov. 3, though in the wake of the group’s second meeting, there seemed to be as many questions as answers.