Opinion

As a young man, I would never have admitted to writing poetry or singing love songs to my wife, but at the age I am now I can confess that I still do both. The poems I chose to put in my books are ones that do not need to be deciphered, and some people might think of them as too simple. I do feel obliged to inform the reader that some editors agree with that point of view, and some of the poems were rejected by several publications who know a lot more about poetry than I do. I am from Missouri, however, and have to be shown, so I invite criticism from anyone who cares to give me their comments.

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After watching the television show 'Killing Lincoln' last night, I can officially say I felt cheated. I believe the story, as well as the Kennedy assassination, have been exploited and over-analyzed for years, and people like me only watch shows about them in the hope that the author has gained some insight or uncovered some new fact that will add some interest to the subject.

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I took the kids to see the Harlem Globetrotters at the Sprint Center in Kansas City.  I grew up watching Meadowlark Lemon, Curly Neil and Goose on TV. The spirit of the team lives on with new players and the show was fantastic. The trick plays were timed perfectly and they do amazing things with a basketball. The announcer added excitement to the "championship game" by pointing out how close it was. Of course, the Globetrotters were victorious. Here's a few photos from the event.

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I actually started this journey right after I woke up in the ICU at Boone Hospital in Columbia with two stints to keep the blood flowing from my heart. That was on Jan. 9 after I suffered a heart attack. At that point it was easy to promise myself, that I would do everything I could to never have a repeat of that scary event.

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According to the Washington Post, the Super Bowl has been the most watched television broadcast in history for three consecutive years.  Super Bowl XLVII has the potential to make it four consecutive years. Weather it is for the game, the commercials, halftime show or the party, millions of people watch the NFL's championship game every year.

Here are top four places in Warrensburg to watch the Baltimore Ravens face the San Francisco 49ers at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3.

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I’ve had the pleasure of working with many civic clubs in Sedalia, whether it be Pettis County Rotary, Sedalia Rotary, Sunrise Optimists, Noonday Optimists, Lions Club, Sedalia ELKS, Sedalia Kiwanis, the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, VFW, 40 & 8, American Legion and many others.

While we get the chance to cover their activities, it is not often they all have an appreciation day. This Saturday (Jan. 26), State Fair Community College will have Civic Club Night, where members of the various civic clubs get in free for the basketball games when the State Fair Community College Roadrunners have a double-header. Civic club members may pick up free admission passes at their club meetings.

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Wednesday, Jan 9, 2013, 5:30 a.m. Memo to self: Wake up, have a heart attack, panic.

While this is not a memo anyone would write to themselves, it happens even without a reminder. As it is with most people who have it happen. my heart attack should have been expected because I am a perfect candidate: overweight, a sedentary life style, and a penchant to worry too much about small things. On the plus side, I gave up smoking over 40 years ago, and my drinking has shrunk to an occasional beer.  However, my love of things that have added to my weight and expanded my waistline put me in the “Matter of time” category.

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The following is an open letter sent to President Barack Obama on the morning of Jan. 17 from Johnson County Sheriff Chuck Heiss in regard to the Obama Administration's recent  gun control proposal.

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2012 brought about the end of Hostess and the beloved Twinkie. I can remember many sporting events where the reward for a good game or what brought your spirits up afterwards was a Twinkie. Even my wife introduced me to the idea of cutting a Twinkie in half and putting strawberries over it to make a Strawberry Shortcake.  I admit, Twinkies were not my favorite dessert, but I have been craving them lately.

However, I believe I have found the replacement for the Twinkie, and it lies in Bing's in Sedalia.  It is called Mrs. Freshley's Dreamies Creme-Filled Cakes. I saw a display box for them and thought to give them a try.

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It’s been a different kind of week leading up to the holiday.  As many of you know, I don’t bite my tongue.  The events that unfolded last week at Sandy Hook make me sick and confused.  Whether you say it or not, you feel for the parents, children and their community.

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