And now, to follow up on last week’s comments about the approaching winter storm and how bad it might be. Well, it was bad. Probably not as bad as some thought it would be, at least not for the Ava area. And certainly, we have seen worse. But the potential…
On this Valentine’s Day – today, Feb. 14 – it is predicted that $17.6 billion (with a ‘B’) will be spent on valentine related items. According to the National Retail Federation, Christmas is first in holiday spending and Valentine’s Day is second, well ahead of Halloween when about $6.86 billion…
After dealing with some of the weightier issues like gun control and politics, the Snoop decided to take up something a little lighter this week and quote the renown philosopher of our era, Jeff Foxworthy. Now I don’t know if Foxworthy has relatives in Missouri of if he just knows…
Amidst all the talk, accusations and propaganda circulating under the name of gun control, I would like to shift gears a little and share some information recently put out by Paul Heil, the host of a weekly southern gospel radio program called, “The Gospel Greats.” The comments were written on…
Stan Musial died last Saturday, Jan. 19, at the age of 92. A legend has been taken from us. I’m just old enough to have come in on the tail end of his great playing career, and although I never saw him in his prime, I can say without reservation…
I used to be a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) but I dropped my membership a few years ago because I felt the organization was becoming too radical and I got tired of constantly being harassed for contributions (in addition to my memership dues). However, I support the…
The Mule, the Monkey & The Man God created the mule, and told him, “You are mule. You will work constantly from dusk to dawn, carrying heavy loads on your back. You will eat grass and lack intelligence. You will live for 50 years.” The mule answered, “To live like…
The Snoop will be brief this week as we mourn the loss of longtime Herald publisher James E. Curry who passed away Tuesday, Jan. 1. Mr. Curry’s obituary, as well as the front page story about him, only tell part of the story. It would be impossible to condense his…
Tom Boak, of Ava, brought us a copy of the Mineral County Independent-News (Hawthorne, Nev.) a couple of weeks ago with an article that he thought might be of interest to some of our readers. The story is about the moving of a gun from the USS Missouri from the…
The week of Oct. 7-13 has been designated National Fire Prevention Week, a time when we focus attention on promoting fire safety and prevention. While we should practice fire safety throughout the year, it is good to have a specific time to pay close attention to potential fire hazards that…
I don’t mean to be sounding poetic, or anything like that. I’ll leave that to Baxter Black and Angelou. But now that October has arrived, have you ever thought about what a special month it is? October fits in between summer and winter. It’s that time of year when you…
I suppose if you make it a practice to stand out in the middle of the highway you should expect unusual reactions from those who drive by. The Ava Fire Department conducted its annual “Fill the Boot” campaign for Muscular Dystrophy Saturday, Sept. 1, at the junction of Highways 5…
MoDOT sends out a weekly summary on the progress of the Route 60/65 project in south Springfield, and as I was looking at that report this week I realized that the major part of that job is done. They will be working there for several more weeks, grading, seeding, cleaning…
Congratulations to the Ava Lions Club on their 75th anniversary. For as long as I can remember, there has been an Ava Lions Club, and from my earliest recollections, it has been the organization to look to if you really want something done in Ava. The Ava Lions Club celebrated…
I would be the first to admit that I’m a far cry from the status of Dan Cathy, chief operating officer of Chick-Fil-A, so my opinion or comments have little or no impact beyond the reaches of those who read the Douglas County Herald each week. However, I want to…
Three farmers – a Texan, A Kansan, and a Missourian – all died on the same day. All three men were cremated. The Kansan and the Texan were reduced to ashes in a matter of minutes. The next day, the Missourian was still sitting amid the flames saying: “Another couple…
I learned some of the greatest lessons in life from my parents, Sunday school and the Andy Griffith Show. I am fortunate to be able to visit with my mother almost daily, I attend Sunday school regularly, and thank goodness, the Andy Griffith Show is still on TV, although Griffith passed…
The Fourth of July – Independence Day – will be observed next Wednesday, but the national holiday will actually be celebrated Friday, Saturday and Sunday with three major events planned in the Ava area. Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center has the premier celebration event in Ava. That will be…
For several months we have been bombarded with political ads on TV, and it’s only going to get worse as the August primary draws closer and district, state and national races heat up. Television has become the chosen venue for candidates, so we have to assume that’s how voters are…
Tuesday was the first of May. May Day. Do you remember making May Baskets in elementary school? For some reason, I thought about that Tuesday morning while I was watching the Today Show. We would take pieces of construction paper, fold them, put a handle on them, and, voila, we had…
I read something this week that really hit a nerve in me, and caused me to think that we just can’t take anything for granted anymore. Living and working in Ava, I never give thought to the idea that the police might ever stop me from doing my job. I’m…
A good friend from several years back, J.C. Owsley, stopped by the Herald Office for a brief visit last Wednesday. J.C., a former county agent with University of Missouri Douglas County Extension Office, has moved back to his native Cross Timbers but keeps up with the goings-on in Douglas and…
I’ve always considered myself to be pro-life. I have never had a problem with the question about when life begins. But as I began doing research for an article I did this week on Options Pregnancy Clinic, I will have to admit that I was surprised at some of the…
Not everyone will agree – and certainly not Tony Jenkins – but for me it was rather refreshing to see Tiger Woods’ big toothy grin as he walked up to the 18th green Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Despite all the feelings one may have about his personal life…
Although more than half of the voters in Douglas County said Rick Santorum is their candidate of choice for the Republican nomination for president back in February, Douglas County will likely go on record at the district and state conventions as being for Ron Paul. I should qualify that by…
What seems like just a few weeks ago now, the Ava Bears and Lady Bears were getting ready to start the basketball season. A lot of people were watching with anticipation, wondering what kind of strategy first-year head coach Nathan Houk would implement. After all, the Bears had graduated about…
The federal court released information last week of a fugitive from England living in the United States, being charged with illegal possession of firearms. Now, as Paul Harvey would say, here’s the rest of the story. The federal fugitive, Eddie Maher, was tracked down and arrested by Ozark Police Officer…
The Snoop sounds the death toll once again. I just recently got word that Jim Mann, former president of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association, died in December. Jim was well-known around Ava because of his association with the Fox Trotters. As president, he was very outspoken in promoting…
Two notable deaths were reported during the past week – one that grabbed the attention of folks in and around Springfield, as well as sports fans throughout the Midwest. That, of course, was former MSU Bears’ Coach Charlie Spoonhour. The other received little media attention, other than an obituary in…
Next time you sit down at one of those new plastic lumber picnic tables consider this: The TerraCycle company, in an effort to reduce the amount of stuff going to the landfill, is working on creating plastic lumber for pallets and outdoor furniture from disposable diapers. For the past several…
During and immediately following the 2011 fall firearms deer season and youth season, the Herald published dozens of pictures of deer taken by local hunters. By my estimation, about 1 percent of those pictures was taken by our staff. The rest were submitted. In fact, I think I photographed three…
The US Postal Service is not dead, but it’s hit hard and bleeding badly. For months now, we’ve been hearing about the demise of the Postal Service, about cuts in services, closing offices, reducing mail delivery, etc. Where it will all end is anybody’s guess. But the bottom line is…
Once again we find ourselves standing on the brink of a new year, wondering what 2012 will bring. It’s impossible to know what the year holds for us, and while we sometimes think we would like to know, in reality, we probably couldn’t handle it. There’s no way for us…
I can’t take credit for this. I didn’t write it. It was sent to me by a friend and probably can be found on the Internet if you know where to look. However, with the economy struggling and many people short on money, why not look for a less-expensive way…
In honor of all those who have served or are serving with the military forces of our nation, the Snoop this week gives way to the President’s proclamation of Veterans Day 2011. Whether you are among those who have the day off from work, or if you are one of…
We haven’t said much about it for fear that the superstitious would think we jinxed him, but heading into the final week of football, Ava junior Kyle Clinkingbeard was the leading rusher in southwest Missouri–by a wide margin. After week nine, Clinkingbeard had carried 251 times for 1,825 yards, an…
Halloween is one of America’s most popular holidays in terms of decorations and money spent, second only to Christmas, and the third largest in terms of parties, behind Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Yet the day holds no significance in terms of recognition as an official holiday and it is…
The presence of black bears in our area doesn’t really bother me too much, although that may be because I haven’t actually encountered one in the wild. However, reports of bears being spotted within spitting distance of the city limits does concern me, not so much because of the danger…
The week of Oct. 9-15 has been proclaimed Fire Prevention Week by President Barack Obama. In his proclamation, the president not only encourages families and communities to renew their efforts to prevent fires from happening, but he also recognizes the efforts of all firefighters who answer the call when tragedy…
Congratulations to David Murphy, of Wasola, and Jared Smith, of Ava, for finishing 2nd and 3rd in the Kickin’ Route 66 Mother Road 50-mile run from Lebanon to Springfield on Sunday. Six runners entered that segment of the race and five finished, including the two local runners. Murphy completed the…
I wonder when was the last time Ava, Missouri made the New York Times? If you are one of the few who hasn’t heard, Ava Drug’s fountain and nickel ice cream was featured in last Wednesday’s edition of the New York Times. That’s New York as in NEW YORK. In the…
The following was sent to me a couple of years ago by our good friend John Burkhead, former Ava teacher and administrator now living in West Plains. I’m not sure where it originated, and I certainly cannot attest to the authenticity of the report or the validity of the information…
September 11 came and went with no big hoopla in Ava. But that’s not to say the day went unnoticed. In fact, several events and activities, and acts of remembrance were held as a reminder of that dreadful day 10 years ago. One of the most moving ceremonies was held…
Each week, it seems, we receive phone calls from subscribers who did not receive their newspaper. Some are local, some are in other states. When we receive such a call we always verify the address and sometimes we find there is a mistake. Most of the time, however, we find…
Okay, somebody must be looking over my shoulder. Just a couple of days after I made a huge blunder in the newspaper, I got an e-mailed news release entitled, “Why Do People Make Mistakes?” If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then you probably didn’t get one of the papers…
Hey, folks. This heatwave is getting serious, if you haven’t noticed. During the past two weeks, 10 of 14 days were at 100-degrees or above according to the weather data recorded by Billy Long who reports for the Community Weather Involvement Program (CWIP). Forecasters say there’s a “cold” front coming…
Do you recognize the name Chris Langan? Probably not. Don’t feel bad. I would guess perhaps 95 percent of the people have no idea who he is. However, Chris Langan is recognized as the smartest man in America – perhaps in the world. Langan’s IQ is stated at 195-plus. Some…
Although frustrating, it’s interesting and sometimes even comical to watch how government agencies deal with situations that folks in business have to deal with all the time – like the budget. For months, Congress and the President have been fighting it out and neither side is willing to give an…
How would you like to be in Casey Anthony’s shoes right now? Not me! Even when Anthony is finally released from prison, she will not be free. Although acquitted last week by a jury of her peers for the murder of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee in 2008, and scheduled to…
Rex Sawyer sent us a copy of the fall sports schedule for Ava High School this week. Are you ready for some football? The football Bears will travel to Lebanon for the preseason jamboree on Aug. 19 before opening the season in a non-conference game with Strafford on Aug. 26.…
Fireworks are as traditional on the Fourth of July as the Flag itself. But do we really know why fireworks go hand in hand with the celebration of Independence Day? Congress led the way for the encouragement of fireworks on the Fourth of July by authorizing a display on July…
Missouri House Speaker Steven Tilley (R-Perryville) recently named an interim House committee to study ways to update and improve the state’s 911 emergency services system. The stated purpose of the committee will be to update aging 911 systems and to look at ways to provide funding necessary to improve 911…
Do you know why the flags were out on Tuesday? I hope you do. You might be surprised to know how many don’t know. For the benefit of those who missed that day in history class, here’s a little lesson on the history of Flag Day, as taken from one…
By the time you read this, the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission will have made a decision on the redistricting plan and the ultimate closing of district offices. That decision may be to follow the plan that has been talked about across the state in a series of public meetings,…
The cover letter that came with my copy of “In Front of God and Everybody: Confessions of April Grace” says it is the first of “new tween fiction series” for middle grade girls. So, why did this nearly-60 grandfather even dare to read the book? I’ll give you two reasons.…
Harold Camping, the California preacher who predicted the world would end on Saturday now says he was off by five months. The end will actually come on Oct. 21. Unfortunately for many folks in Joplin, he was only off by one day. Sunday’s devastating tornado that ripped through the city…
I’m so glad I work for a newspaper and not a TV station. When we have a storm, I can go out and shoot pictures of the high water, showing the destruction that has been done by the flood waters or the wind. If I worked for a TV station,…
It makes no difference who’s in power. It matters not if you are Republican or Democrat. We must be extremely proud of our American military for pulling off the operation that was witnessed Sunday night in Pakistan. On Sept. 11, 2001, Americans came together as President George W. Bush addressed…
On Sunday we will celebrate Easter, one of the most important dates on the Christian calendar, surpassed in importance, in the world’s view, only by Christmas. To argue that one holiday – Christmas or Easter – is more significant than the other is a little like the question of the…
Our nation’s economy is in an upheaval, and I would be lying if I said I have the answers to fix it. But one thing I know is that we cannot spend ourselves out of it, and there needs to be some common sense applied. I thought it was interesting…
A survey by Pulse Research has shown for the third time that Missourians who voted in elections perceive political ads in newspapers to be more helpful and more believable than ads in any other medium. This information was released recently by the Missouri Press Association, for whom the survey was…
Until I read an article about her last week, I had not seen, heard about or thought of Emily Gressman for the past umpteen years when she was a student at Ava High School. But when I saw the article, my response was, “I’m not surprised.” Emily, Ava High School…
It’s March, and when it comes to weather in the Ozarks, that means anything goes. Last weekend it was warm and sunny, and 24 hours later it was snowing. With spring comes days of warm afternoon sunshine, lower humidity, strong, gusty winds…and wildfire. Last Saturday and Sunday fire departments were…
March 13-19 is Sunshine Week. While it’s true, this Sunday, March 13, is when we turn our clocks forward to make the switch to daylight saving time, Sunshine Week has nothing to do with DST. Sunshine Week is a national initiative to promote the importance of open government and freedom…
The National Heritage Area program is causing quite a stir in the area, so much in fact that Douglas County has said it wants nothing to do with it. And Douglas County is not alone. Apparently several other neighboring counties have “opted out” of the program. Is that a good…
When I got up last Thursday morning at 5 a.m., the outside thermometer showed a flat out, even zero. As I sipped my first cup of coffee, I saw the temperature drop to -1, and by the time I left the house at 5:45 it was down to -4. I…
The shooting in Tucson on Jan. 5 was certainly a tragedy to the victims who were injured and the families of those who died. In no way would be attempt to downplay the severity of that action. However, if we’re not very careful, the ripple effect from that incident may…
If you spend a little time out on the street watching traffic, you will wonder how on earth folks ever make it across town on a regular basis. Consider the driver of a big rig who, while attempting to turn around in Ava early Monday morning, hooked his trailer on…
As we say good-bye to the old year and welcome a new one, it’s always good to look back at the events of the past year. When we do so, we are reminded that it has been this cold before, the heat wave will pass, rain will bring an end…
Now we know the story behind the boys on bicycles published in the Herald a few weeks ago. They were distributing the Springfield evening paper. We thought we had the answer. We were sure they were delivering the Grit newspaper. Johnny Lumb, of Nixa, said it was Grit. Doris Liniger…
The handful of people in the Walnut Grove community who call themselves the Walnut Grove Fire Department are to be commended for the strides they have made in developing a fire department for their community. They have two fire trucks – a pumper and a rescue truck – as well…
Do your children know why they draw turkeys and pilgrims for Thanksgiving? Do they know why we gather as families and assemble huge meals for the holiday, and why on this one day of the year we sit down together and someone says a prayer before eating? Do you know…
Veterans Day was celebrated in a big way by a small group of people here last Thursday. To qualify that more accurately, it should be said by a small percentage of the adult population. For the younger generation—those of school age –– Veterans Day was celebrated appropriately in all of…
Veterans Day will be observed on Thursday, by government workers whose offices will close for a mandated holiday. But for many others, it will be another day as usual. So, why do we observe Veterans Day anyway? What is the purpose? For many years, the Douglas County American Legion and…
The Ava High School FFA Chapter will be celebrating its 75th anniversary on Nov. 5. I was never in FFA because I couldn’t fit it into my schedule. But all three of my brothers were in FFA and I have the utmost respect for the organization. I know of no…
Proposition B on the Nov. 2 general election ballot is being promoted as a measure to get rid of inhumane puppy mills. But if we can believe organizations like Missouri Farm Bureau and The Alliance For Truth, one might find there is more at stake here. First of all, Missouri…
Wow! Twenty-eight people showed up at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office last Saturday afternoon to tour the jail. Twenty-eight doesn’t seem like much compared to the population of Douglas County. And certainly 28 is not a majority of the registered voters. But it was encouraging to know that 28 people…
I’m a little skeptical of anything I receive by e-mail – especially right now. But I got something this week that makes a lot of sense. I don’t know who sent it, and it really doesn’t matter. You may have already seen it. Although we live in a country whose…
The Snoop won’t do this too often, but I believe a recent article by Ed Feulner, president of The Heritage Foundation (heritage.org), is worth sharing with everyone. I find it ironic that several schools have been shut down to deal with mercury spills, yet the federal government is mandating the…
During the days surrounding Sept. 11, there is much talk about heroes, as honor is paid to those who answer the call and put their lives on the line to help others. And last weekend a special ceremony was held, along with a silent walk and the signing of a…
I got my 2011 Farmer’s Almanac in the mail this week. Several years ago, Almanac editor Ray Geiger would make a personal visit to newspapers across the country — including the Douglas County Herald — and drop off our copy of the little book. I didn’t have to read the…
This article would have been more timely a week ago, and in fact was intended so. But an unfortunate circumstance between me and my computer resulted in it being a week late. Laying aside any personal opinions, and certainly not intending to infer or imply a preference of one candidate…
I’m sorry, Mr. Slater. You are no hero. And shame on the television news shows for making him out to be one. If the morning news cannot find a better story than one of a disgruntled, spoiled, arrogant flight attendant who decided to throw a tantrum to get attention, then…
The 2010 primary election on Tuesday had some upsets and some surprises, no doubt, to voters and candidates alike. There are probably not many who could say they were completely happy with the overall result, whether it be local, state or district races. However, the voters have spoken. That’s the…
Next Tuesday is election day. If you haven’t met the candidates, read their ads, or heard from them in some way that will help you make up your mind as to how you will vote, please take time to do so before Aug. 3. The right to vote is one…
Back in 1998, when former Herald editor Bob Bowles passed away, we announced that “The Snoop” was being laid to rest. For those under the age of 50 or have moved to the area within the past four decades, The Snoop was an editorial column for which Bowles was known.…
