We have entered into the end-of-the-year holiday season, which often becomes a struggle for many folks because they equate it with being the season of giving. When I hear the statement “bah humbug,” I shudder because it gives me an unpleasant feeling. I understand many people believe they truly have a reason to feel that way. Others need to take a closer look at why they feel that way...

‘Tis the season for giving and everyone is thinking about what they plan to do this year. Thanksgiving and Christmas always were family events when I was growing up. My mother, who seemed to love to cook, always offered a bountiful table of food for any meal, but the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals were filled with even more delights than normal. There always was room for one more at our table. The tradition has continued to carry on throughout my family...

I often remember my departed family members' birthday anniversary by doing something for others. This year, I didn’t plan anything for my late brother Bob’s special day, but I still remember him and miss him. He was several years older than me. I had the advantage of growing up with him being my older brother and being raised in the same age category as his children. Somewhere in our lives, we came together as adult siblings...

This Memorial Day weekend was extra special for me. One of nephews, who made the military his career, has returned home. He’s retired and he and his wife graced me by visiting a couple of days. We went to dinner Friday night and they favored my Saturday morning breakfast group, the Golden Girls, by helping us celebrate a birthday...

Don’t wait to tell someone you appreciate them and what they are doing. We are not promised tomorrow and neither are our friends. Emily Wolpers died this week. I met her after going to work for her family at the Daily American Republic newspaper in the fall of 1971. ...

The spirit of the Christmas holiday season kicked off early this year for a group of friends. We call ourselves the Golden Girls and say we’re a Saturday morning breakfast group. We’ve been rotating where we dine. On this day, when we asked for our individual bills the kind waitress informed us our food had been paid for by a group who wished to remain anonymous. She was not allowed to tell us until they left the restaurant...

Leaves changing colors along with other hints of fall bring memories of coming home from school and finding my parents frying homemade yeast doughnuts in our farm kitchen. My mother was an exceptional cook. Homemade desserts and bread were normal for special occasions, which could range from just because, a birthday, a missionary or evangelist coming for lunch or supper, or Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas...

I slipped away Monday evening to get a much needed manicure. It’s one of the things with which I treat myself. I’m not an appointment person. I never know what my day will be like so I drop in to see if they can fit me into their busy schedule. Appointments are for work, volunteer projects, doctor and dentist appointments...

Robo calls and robo texts are somethings I truly dislike. Because of robo calls, I don’t answer calls on my cellphone unless either my phone or I recognize the number. I’m certain I miss calls I need to take and I’ve had people and businesses to say, “We’ve tried to contact you.” You probably have and I’m sorry (in a way) I missed you, but I’m really not. Find a way to identify yourself or your business...

It is with sadness I read about the Missouri Senate voting to make changes to the Sunshine Law. I’m more upset as a citizen than I am as a reporter. What makes it even worse is the state senate is doing this after the public voted nearly five years ago to amend the state Constitution to require the legislature to abide by transparency laws...

I’m not one to make a long list of new year’s resolutions. I don’t need the stress of not accomplishing them. I do have goals I want to achieve during the coming months. I want to be more positive in all aspects of my life. I hope to greet each day in a positive manner, thank the good Lord for another opportunity to accomplish something good and greet others with a smile...

Melody Chailland lives and breathes for the United Cancer Assistance Network (UCAN) of Southeast Missouri and the people served through the not-for-profit agency. Chailland’s position as executive director is more than a job to her. She goes through the patient’s struggles with them. She shares their goals. She cries with them when test results are not great and she cries tears of joy when they ring the bell proclaiming they are cancer free...

SHO-ME Band or Sho-Me Band? Which way of writing the Poplar Bluff school’s band name is correct? Others may ask why does it matter? What’s in a name and how you use it. To most folks it may not make a difference. I’ve spent most of my life keeping up with how people and businesses want their names used...

I love the convenience and flexibility of a cell phone. I like it so much I don’t have a landline telephone. I like being able to see who is calling where ever I am. I like having both my emails — personal and work — on my phone. Texting is one of my favorite ways to communicate. I can Google on my phone. Most of the people I talk or text with have their numbers stored on this wonderful invention...

Modern technology can be wonderful, often making life easier, but other times it is confusing and leads us astray. Googling, email, texting and cell phones have made news gathering and fact-finding easier in many ways, but you still need to know your sources. Some folks take everything they read online as the truth. That’s dangerous. Same holds true with Facebook...

While the community prepares to celebrate Difference Makers, we also realize everyone makes a difference. You decide what kind of difference you’ll make. Many people make great strides to do for others, but some quietly go about changing the world one good deed at a time. And others don’t realize their actions may be the only positive thing in someone’s life that day or week...

I work at not allowing Father’s Day to be sad for me since my dad is no longer alive, other than in my heart and mind. As I think about how I might honor my dad this Father’s Day, I think of him not only as father, but as a man who had dreams. ...

Some mornings I awaken and really want to roll over and go back to sleep. It’s those mornings I know I have a choice in how I view the world and if I want to be a part of making my corner of the universe a better place. I think about Proverbs 15:30 which promises “a cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”...

Poplar Bluff Altrusa International is inviting the public from 2:30-4 p.m. today, Saturday, March 19, to a meet and greet to learn about its organization. The gathering will be in the Altrusa Room at the Twin Towers, 508 Barlett St. Missing physically from the event, but not spiritually, will be Mary Elizabeth Absheer, better know to those in her community as Betty, and to her high school friends as Abbie. ...

Temperatures in Butler County dipped below freezing the first week of February. Area warming centers are few and are mostly open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. The cold temperatures not only put the homeless people in the community in danger, but some folks who have a place to live don’t have adequate heating...