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“We must maintain the peace through our strength; weakness only invites aggression.”  These are the words Ronald Reagan spoke more than 30 years ago and a philosophy I still believe wholeheartedly today.  Yet, with proposed cuts to our national defense, including potential cuts at Fort Leonard Wood, it seems some have forgotten the necessity of a strong military. Fortunately, folks from all around Missouri gathered at Fort Leonard Wood this week to oppose cuts and highlight both the major impact the base has on our area and the strategic role it plays in America’s national defense. I share a commitment to Fort Leonard Wood and have been vocal in my unwavering support of the base and strong opposition to operational

Several educators from Poplar Bluff Schools were selected to present on topics related to the district’s one-to-one laptop initiative during the annual Midwest Education Technology conference held Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 10-11, in St. Charles. With over 2,000 participants, METC is the largest technology conference in the Midwest region. There were only 175 conference proposals accepted this year, including presentations by Junior High teachers Mike Berry, Jenn Nicolini, Marcia Priest and Josh Wesemann. R-I technology facilitators Valerie Ivy and Candace Warren also led workshops.

It all depends on how you look at it, but did March come in like a lion or a mouse?  We had rain, snow, ice, and extremely cold weather.  Things could have been worse, but by the same token, things could have been a lot better as we could have had balmy weather with normal temperatures.  I would say that March came in like a lion-hopefully it will go out like a lamb as it is supposed to. This month’s words of wisdom are in the form of a warning.  Usually I can pick out a good topic to write about but this time the warning comes because a recent Saturday started out to include the worst 30 minutes I

If you have “Cabin Fever”, you just might find a cure for it on March 14 at the Heartland Gobblers chapter of the National Wild Turkey Foundation’s annual fund-raising dinner and auction. Doors are set to open at 5pm and the dinner starts at 7.  Ticket prices are $45 for single, $60 for couple, $265 sponsor, $650 Table, and Jakes are $20. The NWTF motto is “Dedicated to Making a Difference”.  Since 1973, the NWTF and its partners have raised and spent more than $331 million to conserve 15.9 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.  In addition to wild turkeys, a multitude of species such as quail, woodcock, ruffed grouse, prairie chickens, pheasants, and white-tail deer benefit

For the love of God, I am seriously considering moving south! This is ridiculous, and it doesn’t appear to be ending, and as many of you read this we may be in the midst of another monumental snow storm, but I will be 4 hours south where you’d think it would be safe. But alas, they’re calling for freezing rain almost to New Orleans! Horrendous weather or not, I am leaving in a few days and had to get the boat ready, which was (still is) quite the task given the 10-inches of frozen snow encapsulating it. Not to be deterred, I began with a propane heater aimed at the drain hole and took a garden hoe to the top,