Travis Harper, MU Extension Agronomist in Clinton, recently wrote a news release highlighting management issues relating to pasture and hayfield recovery following drought. While some of the issues cannot be addressed until next spring, there are steps forage producers can take this fall to help correct some of the upcoming problems. more

Dear Thanksgiving, more

Forcing prisoners to work was allowed by the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery. The practice of using convict labor outside of prisons came into being shortly after the end of the Reconstruction in 1876 as a way of controlling the formerly enslaved population who could be arrested on scant grounds, imprisoned, and their labor “leased” to any employer who wished to pay the prison system. An act of the Missouri legislature allowed the penitentiary in Jefferson City to begin the practice. more

It is hard to believe that I started writing stories to send to the Sedalia Democrat in the late ‘90s with a story about my love of trains, a passion that started before I was out of short pants. more

My mother figured out how to get her students to read. She required everyone to read a certain number of books each year, but she didn’t limit us to the “classics,” most of which she knew would bore us to death. Instead, she gave us a list of newer books to choose from. more

The forecast says it’s finally getting chilly next week. Highs in the 40s and 30s, maybe even some snow. Gardening season is finally over. more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Attending Joe Bonamassa's concert Friday night, Nov. 10 in Kansas City was a musical experience no one should miss, but underneath the fame is a humanitarian spirit — one that is "Keeping the Blues Alive." more

The Mayflower set sail for the colonies in July 1620 but turned back twice because the Speedwell was leaking. Finally, on Sept. 6, 1620, the Mayflower left England and arrived in Cape Cod 66 days late on Nov. 11, 1620. That first winter was hard; around half of the 102 passengers died. more

When I started these columns earlier this year, I did so because I wanted to share inspiring stories of our Club kids and their accomplishments and celebrate their successes. It never really occurred to me, however, that one day I would have to write my last one. more

Promptly at 5 p.m., every day, rain or shine, blizzard or heat, a volunteer bugler wearing a period World War I U.S. Army uniform stands at attention near the flagpole at the National World War One Memorial not far from the White House in Washington, D.C. more

More than 20 years ago, Tom gave me a gift certificate for an hour-long massage as an anniversary gift. I’d never had a professional massage before. (Women don’t count the one-handed massages men sometimes give while holding the remote with their other hand.) more

When Sedalia Bazoo and Sedalia Democrat reporters visited the coal mine at Montserrat on Nov. 11, 1877, they found the remains of what the Bazoo called a “holocaust,” a tremendous fire left after a riot involving the convicts sent from the state penitentiary in Jefferson City to work the mines as part of their incarceration. more

I read an article not long ago that took me back more than 50 years. The article was about a young man learning to milk a cow, and just like me, he had to learn the hard way. more

Last year, I shared my grandpa’s military service story with our readers in honor of Veterans Day. I interviewed him so my family would have that firsthand account saved, and turned it into a column. more

Just about the time that our clocks “fall back,” and the leaves on the trees are turning red or golden, we begin to think about the approaching end of the year celebrations of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s, and the grand get-togethers with family and friends. It is also the time of the year that we look to sparkling wines as our beverage of celebration and after all, what is a celebration without a sparkling beverage to brighten the occasion? more

One dictionary gives these explanations for the word “scapegoat:” 1. “a goat upon whose head are symbolically placed the sins of the people after which he is sent into the wilderness in the biblical ceremony for Yom Kippur.” 2. “a person or thing bearing the blame for others.” more

Among the evils in this world, those committed against children (born or unborn) are the worst. Abortion heads the list, now more than 63 million and counting. more

There should be a warning on this column because it’s graphic, and if your stomach is as weak as mine, perhaps you should turn back now and save yourself. more

Author’s note: I have not yet heard from Philander Smith College, so I am writing about a different aspect of local history. When I find out what materials went from the burned George R. Smith College to Philander Smith College, I’ll write about it. more

In today’s political environment, one could easily conclude that America is in the midst of a metamorphosis, where its character and identity are undergoing radical change. more