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