Wisconsin in the fall is magical. I was 8 the first time I visited. It was my first out-of-state fishing trip. My grandparents took me to Yellow Lake near Spooner. I’ve been in love with the Northwoods ever since. This past week reminded me why.

On behalf of our Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, we would like to thank our entire community for their support and participation in our Community Bed Build on Saturday, Sept. 13. Our SHP bed build was part of an annual SHP event, Bunks Across America, when SHP chapters across…

The public came out in droves to help support the local arts at the Art in the Parking Lot event this past Saturday, Sept. 27 in the ONCRC and Salem Creative Arts Center parking lot. The sun was high, there was a slight breeze, and the temperature was just right for perusing locally made crafts.

Each week, volunteers at Salem United Methodist Church pack food into backpacks for local students who might otherwise go hungry over the weekend. Volunteers organize across their various stations, set up for snacks, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and divvy up food items for each child in nee…

We did not choose Otis. We let our oldest dog, Thelma Lou pick him out. She was just a puppy. We felt strongly that Thelma deserved to choose her own brother since, after all, she would be the one stuck sniffing his butt for the next 12 years.

Following the closure of the Dent County Animal Welfare Society (DCAWS) in September 2024, after 34 years of service, multiple volunteer groups have emerged to address animal welfare needs in the area. While Advocates for Animals, a subcommittee, has formed to tackle the stray cat crisis, a …

Two-headed snake celebrates birthday Oct. 4

Healthy Dent County Fitness Center invites you to bump, set, and spike your way into the Halloween spirit at the VolleyBoo Tournament, a co-ed volleyball event packed with fun, friendly competition, and festive costumes.

September is the best month for cloud-watching. The constant blue of summer gives way to changeable vistas overhead. The sky is filled with massive white sculptures.

Did you know that a mourning dove has 2,635 feathers?

“You did what?” my uncle asked, not so nicely. He has a way of making an inquiry about one’s health sound like an interrogation.

Greetings from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office. I am wrapping up my first month as executive director. It is a pleasure to serve the community in this position, and I look forward to seeing growth and additional support as the year 2026 quickly approaches.

The Dent County Historical Society is hosting the 155th Birthday of the Dent County Courthouse in downtown Salem, Saturday, Oct. 4. Prepare to be entertained with a variety of performances and activities. This event is not just a celebration, it's a community gathering. It's free and open to…

Several years ago, after a fishing trip to Arkansas’ Bull Shoals Lake, my Uncle Norten, the best fisherman I ever knew, walked into his favorite morning café with a fish story even his buddies at the Lone Pine Restaurant wouldn’t believe. He had them looking at each other with winks and nods…

Several hunter education skills sessions in central Missouri

Whether appearing as a hand-drawn sketch, or on the cover of an annual calendar, the Ozarks’ historic mills continue to be a cultural staple for those visiting or calling the region home. Yet, every year or so, one of these landmarks to early settlement is lost due to lack of preservation.

Mike Burgdorf’s fitness journey is nothing short of inspiring. For nearly two years—1 year and 11 months to be exact—Mike has dedicated himself to becoming the best version of himself, both inside and out. He works out seven days a week, often hitting the gym two to three times a day with a …

What started almost three years ago with an announcement from the federal government that Rolla was being considered as a site for a clinic for military veterans took a leap forward with a ceremonial breaking of ground this past week.

Oscar Wilde once said, “In America, the president reigns for four years, and journalism governs forever and ever.” Like Wilde’s claim, journalism is an important part of our society. It keeps people updated and educated on the current and historical events in the world. In the summer of 2024…

Yesteryears

Missouri’s four trout parks offer a winter catch and release trout fishing season. The popular fishing season began Nov. 8 and runs through February 10, 2025. A fishing license and an annual trout stamp are required to participate.

The Song & Stage Club presented Elf Jr. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in four shows at Salem Civic Theater.

The Jadwin Missouri Volunteer Fire Department recently received a new to them Fire Engine to better serve the community.

It was dark when we pulled up in the wilds of Locust Fork, Alabama. A big group of us. The small house stood in the country. I think the cows were watching us.

The Missouri State Beekeepers Association (MSBA) is excited to announce the launch of the "Bee Friendly" specialty license plate, a new initiative designed to raise awareness about the vital role of bees and provide crucial support for beekeeping activities throughout Missouri. This initiati…

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’” Luke 2: 13-14

Christmas 2024 is all but a thing of the past, and Christmas break from school has barely started, yet how many of you have already heard, “I’m bored.” or “There’s nothing to do.”?

December 25, 1972 – It was confirmed that an elderly delivery man working for a small manufacturing company delivered more than 7.7 million packages in one day across Missouri. Friends and family members told reporters that the man, “often does similar things during the busy season. His work…

There are many options to celebrate Christmas within the community. 

The Green Forest 4-H Club held their regular club meeting on Dec. 9, at First Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m. Christmas shopping was done the weekend before by members of our club and adult volunteers for our families. We talked about the goals we had set for community service and events around …

If you've been a Momma D follower you may recognize this post from previous years about this same time. Yes, it's a repeat, but that's because this is something I truly believe can't be said too often. Our children's hearts are tender and impressionable and we need to do what we can to guard…

“That chair is spoken for” the old man stated quietly. Not an admonishment; nor seeking confrontation. Simply an explanation, as one might make reference to a beginning rain. The room I had just entered was somewhat dimly lit, and I had yet to take note of the vest and fedora that now rested…

The Salem Community Choir will present “What Sweeter Music,” a festival of carols Friday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m. Both performances will be at the Dry Fork Church, off F Highway, in Salem.

One Year Ago – 2023

Phelps Health partnered with the Greater Rolla Area Charitable Enterprise (G.R.A.C.E.) this fall to provide holiday meals to local families in need.

The American Legion Auxiliary distributed apples for National Teachers Week to area schools on Nov. 18. The Sons of the American Legion also donated $500 to each school, from funds raised at the annual Smokin’ Hot Veterans Rib Cook Off held each fall.

Phelps County Fair is in its second year of putting on the “Story Of His Birth,” a live, drive-through nativity with several scenes. The nativity will be displayed 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Dec. 13-14 at the fairgrounds.