Using drugs and alcohol will not take away your problems and fears. In the short run, they might make you feel better, but in the long run these addictions will only make things worse. more

While this can't necessarily be verified completely, the story or legend of St. Valentine seems meant to observe his effort of honoring marriages in part by marrying couples even at the defiance of the Roman Emperor of that era. In his memory, over time Valentine's Day became a convenient way to observe the loving devotion that couples have for one another, and a great opportunity to honor marriage. Now several hundreds of years later we are celebrating National Marriage week on February 7 through February 14. more

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? more

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day. more

Who doesn’t love their fur babies? Nevermind, don’t tell me. It is fortunate that most people do care for and about their 4-legged friends. I am hoping that care goes beyond their own little (or large) fur buddies and can extend to help some that haven’t had the chance to find their forever homes yet. more

Everybody deals with stress and anxiety, however the key is to know what to do when your stressed out. It is not always easy to keep your feelings from getting the best of you. more

Each winter, much is written in Missouri about one of the state’s most eye-catching avian winter visitors – the bald eagle. It is well-deserved publicity: In addition to their patriotic symbolism, bald eagles have a number of traits that makes seeing one a memorable experience. more

My dad taught me just about everything I ever needed to know about fishing, from starting me early with a riverbank sapling and length of fishing line to teaching me the finesse of handling his classic bamboo fly rod. Under Dad’s diligent tutelage I grew up an avid fisherman. more

The parents of Bart Millard were divorced when he was three years old. His mother did not want him. So Millard went to live with his father. He was abusive to him through much of his childhood. As a child, he feared his father would get upset about something and take it out on him. more

“A Man Called Otto” has not been a well-marketed film. The strategy of the film’s advertising seems to be, “You know how Tom Hanks usually plays likeable/heroic characters to go along with his reputation for being a nice guy in real life? Come to this movie to get the opposite of that! more

Are you looking for all of the answers on how to reduce your persistent fears and anxieties? more

Fresh out of a restaurant kitchen, I was the 29-year-old fledging news editor of the Bolivar Herald-Free Press. more

Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions, hoping to spark positive change. Resolve to make a positive change in 2023 by participating in the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks’ (CBCO) 56-Day Challenge. Donors who complete the entire challenge will have a chance to win up to $15,000. more

I like January. I think most mothers do. Sure, it’s the dead of winter and it gets dark more

Here it comes again — the end Saturday night of another whole year. more

Thanks to frigid temperatures we experienced in the days leading up to Christmas, everyone has been reminded that winter has most definitely arrived. That means it’s time to think about hazards associated with slick roads, bitterly cold temperatures, and all the other conditions associated with winter. However, people also need to be mindful that winter is a time when we’re never far from another type of hazard – fire. more

We were first introduced to dashing animated feline Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) in “Shrek 2” all the way back in 2004. The character appeared in two more “Shrek” sequels before headlining his own self-titled movie in 2011. Now comes “The Last Wish,” a sequel that depends on... more

The house was alive with clamorous noise, more

Forty-two years ago, Mom and Dad went well into the holiday season without a Christmas tree in the corner of their living room. more

Another Shop with a Cop season has come to a close with an astounding 175 children served through the program this year. more

Back in 2009, director James Cameron gave the world “Avatar.” The film about a human going undercover as a member of the Na’vi race on the planet of Pandora only to side with the Na’vi against his greedy fellow humans brought the movie blockbuster to new heights. It was the first movie to... more

During the weeks before Thanksgiving, I was high on anticipation – counting down the days until our two sons were scheduled to come home from college for the holiday break. It had been three … more

Dear editor: more

So, I will choose joy more

Grandson Colson has never gone to the back of Grandpa’s farm to cut a Christmas tree. more