Columns

Nolen: Black residents were key in city's growth

By Rose M. Nolen

When George R. Smith College for Negroes in Sedalia opened its doors to receive students in 1894, Black History Month — which we celebrate today — was non-existent. The college was built on a knoll, on park-like land in northeast... Full story

Parkhurst: After storm, Scout ready to lend a hand

By Richard Parkhurst

February is Boy Scout Month. And this year, the Boy Scouts of America is celebrating its 100th anniversary. So for the next month, I will be writing about experiences with the Boy Scouts — come with me for the adventure.I was 12 years old when... Full story

Chalfant: Actions catch up with heartbreaker in the end

By Rhonda Chalfant

The Meyer family was well-known in Sedalia. They lived at 1232 W. Main St. Herman and Mary Meyer were of German background and, like many of Sedalia’s German immigrants, they were hard working and respectable. Herman worked for the Sedalia... Full story

McMullen: What this town needs is a forecasting ferret

By Travis McMullen

“OK, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties ’cause it’s cooold out there today” — Unnamed radio disk jockey from “Groundhog Day.”I promise, that’s the first and last time... Full story

Hiltenburg: Obama can't fool all the people all of the time

On Wednesday, did you watch “Its Not, But Believe It Anyway?” Oh yes, I mean President Barack Obama’s State of The Union speech. You may have learned that if you disagreed with him, you were mistaken, misinformed, just angry or an... Full story

Satnan: No surprise here — Rusty Kahrs is a politician

Bob Satnan

I first met Rusty Kahrs at The Democrat’s Freedom Torch Awards dinner in March. We had already been introduced — he stopped by the “Meet the Editor” function we had at our office last January and we had shaken hands and said... Full story

McMullen:In school budget cuts, don't snip the wrong wire

Travis McMullen

The Sedalia School District 200 budget has certainly looked better. Last week, The Sedalia Democrat’s Tonya Fennell reported on state budget cuts that could dramatically affect the bottom line of school systems all over Missouri, including... Full story

Nolen: Times teach hard lessons

Rose M. Nolen

Well, it’s almost time to say one down, and 11 more to go. In other words, my how the time does fly, even if you’re not having fun. Millions are still out of work, many are still facing foreclosures and bankruptcies and health care... Full story

Parkhurst: Truckin' down to the Bayou

By Richard Parkhurst

I had not had a vacation in more than a year and a half. In fact, Judy and I had not been anywhere.We had two preschool boys and the doldrums of everyday life was bearing down on both of us. So one day I came home with the proposal, “How would... Full story

Chalfant: Separate standards were norm on adultery

Rhonda Chalfant

Women of the 19th century were well aware of the double standard of behavior that denounced women for sexual indiscretions while not condemning the men involved in those indiscretions. Sedalia women who read Rosa Pearle’s Paper were well aware... Full story

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