I enjoyed a few local games last week. These kids are growing up much too quickly. more

With the arrival of autumn, I was prepared to have a fall-inspired dessert recipe for you this week. I even bought apples, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Maybe it was the heat, or maybe I'm just not ready for summer to be over, but I was not feeling the fall flavors. I wanted chocolate chip cookies! more

You don’t have to be perfect or have it all together. You don’t have to do life on your own. God’s grace is enough. His grace gives you strength when you feel weak, hope when you feel lost, peace when you feel overwhelmed. His grace meets you in your mess, carries you through your lowest, lifts you when you can’t stand. more

The Christian County Chronicle (Issue #5, September/October) is now available to all Christian County residents. The newsletter is produced by Brenda Porterfield in the County Commission Office. The publication was conceived and developed by Presiding Commissioner Lynn A. Morris, who believes it serves as another effective way to keep citizens informed about county government and community issues. more

We have been promised some cooler weather, mixed with some much needed showers. Just not floods like I see in so many places. more

At the beginning of the summer, I invited about 14 of my co-workers to join me for a weekly Friday lunch. I called it the 2026 Springfield Summer Food Tour. Looking back, I probably should have made matching T-shirts for everyone! more

The Christian County Chronicle (Issue #5, September/October) is now available to all Christian County residents. The newsletter is produced by Brenda Porterfield in the County Commission Office. The publication was conceived and developed by Presiding Commissioner Lynn A. Morris, who believes it serves as another effective way to keep citizens informed about county government and community issues. more

For many children, playing sports can be a great way to build life skills and help shape their future. However, many parents know how expensive these extracurricular activities can be; team fees, uniform costs, travel expenses and more can add up quickly. more

Did you see the story on Facebook about a lady in Alaska who went to the outhouse, and when she sat down, she heard a growl, and something bit her? When her husband heard her screams and came running, a very stinky black bear came out from under the outhouse and ran into the woods. more

I haven't seen any more pictures of the bear on my farm. They make me a bit nervous, because I like to get out and look things over daily. more

It has been a long, hot, humid, mostly dry summer. Most of you, like me, are ready for all that to go away. I am sorry to say that this year it looks like summer will stay with us for a while longer. For those of us who love the outdoors, and those of you who have to work outside, that is not good news, but we will deal with it. more

Recently, I ate a fried green tomato BLT from Ebbets Fields in Springfield, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. There's a certain group of foods that, when spotted on a menu, I can't help but order. Fried green tomatoes are in that group, along with fried okra and hushpuppies – and, well, maybe anything deep-fried, actually. Not so great for my waistline. more

Christian County Lions Club is excited to host our 11th Annual 5K Run / 1 Mile Walk on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at 9 a.m. at Finley River Trail in Ozark, MO. NEW this year is the option to run a 10K on the Chadwick Flyer Trail at the same time and location. Races are timed events. This is our major fundraiser for the year. more

The other day, I was thinking about the bramble of blackberries we had down at the end of our street when I was growing up. At that time, there was my parents' house and maybe three other houses on the street. At the end of the street was open farmland full of wildflowers and wild blackberry thickets. The berries were so tiny that I don't think we did anything with them except pop them in our mouths for a sweet summertime treat. more

I watch the CBS Evening News almost every Friday. Not for the news. I watch it to see their short segment, On the Road with Steve Hartman, that ends the news on Fridays. They show good people and good things happening in our world. more

The Day family has a new baby girl to go with the beautiful little one we already had. I haven't got to see her yet, and I can't remember the name, but it is an unusual name. Hope to get to see that part of the family soon. It has been very busy there. more

From my combination man cave/workshop behind our house, I can still look out and see the old tree in my mind’s eye. I had known it for a long time until one afternoon this past March when high winds brought it to the ground from which it came so many years ago. more

(On Saturday, Aug. 8), my heart was completely overwhelmed. more

Five Kitchen Hacks more

Another day and several more dollars spent by a lot of people. It is awful for how much money it takes to get by. more

Artificial Intelligence, better known as AI, is reshaping our world and not necessarily for the better. Many people welcome AI tools and have learned how to use them. Some ways are good and helpful, but some others are bad. more

One of life’s greatest blessings is discovering that peace comes from trusting God rather than trying to control everything yourself. more

Finley River Art Gallery, located on the south side of the downtown Ozark Square, has two major art competitions coming up in which the public is invited to participate. The first is their first-ever contest just for kids! Children 12 and under are invited to “Paint What You Love” following these rules: use any medium you want no prints, photography or digital art). If paper is used, it must be matted or framed but a frame is not required. If canvas is used, paint the outside edges as well as the canvas front, any size, no entry fee. All entries must have an official entry form attached (available at the Art Gallery at 100 E. Elm Street.). Entries are due between Sept. 9-12; open hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Awards will be presented at a reception on Saturday, Sept. 19 at noon at the Gallery; there will be three winners who will receive a blue ribbon and gift certificate for art supplies. more

In March, the Finley River Community Foundation announced that beginning May 4 it would open its 2026 community grant round applications that were due by June 1, 2026. A total of $11,000 was available for programs and organizations in Ozark and Eastern Christian County to apply for. The ad hoc Grant Committee had difficulty meeting to review the eleven submissions (nearly all were for the $2500 maximum), so the decision-making process was referred to the Board. Although the initial thinking was to make 4 grants of $2500, board members’ positions were so steadfast on different applicants that the Board instead voted to grant $1000 to each of the eleven applicants. more

You have no doubt seen many animal rescues on television or social media. Rescues of livestock from barn fires to flash floods. A dog who fell in a hole and got stuck. A cat that climbed up something and could not get down without human help. Critters have been cut loose from all types of things. They have been airlifted from mountains and pulled from the ocean. But this story is a little different. more