Features

Blind poet finds release through his words

Courtney Hudson

James Bryant has been living in the dark for 20 years, but his creativity and writings have inspired him to start a group for poets in Sedalia. Bryant, 39, was born with Marfan syndrome, a disorder of the connective tissues that can cause problems... Full story

Couples enjoying 70 years of marriage share their stories

Tonya Fennell

Opal Mae Kelley remembers her wedding like it was yesterday. She wore a borrowed white, tea-length dress, silver slippers and a long flowing tulle veil. “I felt beautiful,” she said. Opal Mae walked down the aisle to meet her groom,... Full story

Your Halloween preparation guide

By Courtney Hudson and Tonya Fennell

Pumpkins, witches and ghosts galore, as trick-or-treaters go door to door, the witching hour is almost near, so read below if you have no fear. Tricks and TreatsThe 2009 National Confectioners Association’s Halloween Survey reported that... Full story

Crafts galore during Arrow Rock Heritage Craft Festival.

Courtney Hudson

The village of Arrow Rock has a population of fewer than 100 people, but Saturday thousands gathered for the 41st annual Arrow Rock Heritage Craft Festival. More than 50 crafters of all types lined the streets of Arrow Rock offering their wares.... Full story

Big-hearted Calhoun rebuilds school after fire destroys facility

Tonya Fennell

Calhoun is a tiny town with a big heart. The town, located just outside of Windsor in Henry County, is home to about 493 people who have worked hard the last six months to rebuild the building where their children are educated. On Feb. 28, the... Full story

Bemiss: Pilot Grove couple takes thyme to put together cookbook

Faith Bemiss

Putting together the cookbook, “Steppin’ Back in Thyme,” a collection of recipes by Ted and Betty Wassman, of Pilot Grove, was a labor of love filled with not only family recipes, but family photos dating from the 1930s to 2005.... Full story

Aw, shucks — corn husking competitors hit Marshall

Courtney Hudson

The Missouri Cornhusking Championships brought out young and old alike to test their skills when it comes to the cobs.   Mitchel Burns, of Brookfield, has been taking part in cornhusking competitions since 1988.   ... Full story

Three couples meet partners for life at Sedalia dancing spot

Sarah Nail

They were strangers until they met on the dance floor and fell in love. It’s happened not once or twice, but three times at Let’s Dance Ballroom Dance in downtown Sedalia. Two couples have married, and another is engaged, after meeting... Full story

Camp Quality gives children stricken with cancer a chance to just be a kid

Sarah Nail

Prosthetic limbs, paralysis, scars and hair loss are not seen as abnormal and children battling cancer can take a break just to be a kid. At Camp Quality, a week-long summer camp, at Lake Doniphan in Excelsior Springs children with cancer and their... Full story

Veterans record their story in their own words

State program lets veterans recount their military experiences on video for future generations

Latisha Koetting

West Central Missouri veterans visited The Sedalia Democrat on Wednesday and Thursday to give their families and future generations the gift of their story. They participated in the Missouri Veteran Stories project, sponsored by the state of... Full story

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