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When the Twin Towers were hit by planes during September of 2001, people across the world were numb with shock, grief, anger and new feelings of patriotism, pride and love for their fellow man.

This is part of my memory of that fateful day, that serves as a benchmark for the War on Terror and the feelings that came afterwards.

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It has been in the works for several months.

The people who serve us every day have been looking for new and improved ways to add more grant funds to the table for our rural communities.

It is finally happening. Hometown Partners Giving Circle is being launched to give area residents some skin in the game of collective giving. We can all donate $100. Then, later we can all decide by voting where that grant money is going to go.

I love the power that we have together. We are stronger together. We are better together. We are building trust layer by layer in the towns that we serve.

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Kelley Field is the namesake of an important person in our community's history. He was young, vibrant and full of compassion for his fellow man--despite the horrors of war he had endured. Howard Kelley was, by all accounts, a remarkable man who loved Aurora and its people. 

As we welcome our Cassville visitors tonight for the first home game of the 2023 season, I'd like to go down the halls of history a little bit and remind you that you will be on the sidelines of some pretty sacred ground.

See you there!

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Twenty years ago this month, I met a man who would change my world...for the better. He is smart, funny and a heck of a dancer.

I am quite certain God put him in my path for tons of reasons. I am looking forward to the next 20 years.

I am celebrating him with a song he played for me...not long after we met. And, yes, I am still hoping someday he lets me lead on the dance floor. But, I'm not holding my breath.

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I fell off the boat the past few weeks and was busy with grant reports, curriculum, new teacher events and some family obligations.

I was asked today why I had not posted any Hee Haw popups of late.

Well, these two are pretty rough; but here you go.

I am hoping Jack Muench, Tom Morris and Scott Pettit are good sports and won't retaliate.

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The concept of home is a combination of things that trigger memories and feelings of being safe, happy and loved.

Mike and Mona Thach and Billy Redus were all three recipients of the awards this year at the Annual Aurora Chamber of Commerce Banquet.

I love it here.

I love Aurora.

I love the Ozarks. There's no place I'd rather be.

These honors are pretty special to me as we talk about legacy, love and paying it forward.

Please excuse the couple of stumbles. I have had a hard time with my emotions every time I start to record this week's podcast. This is as good as it's going to get.

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I recently met up with some classy gals from the Aurora High School Class of 1963. Their names are Pam, Connie and Pauline. 

Their class made a donation to our work at the Aurora Houn' Dawg Alumni & Outreach Center.

They also issued a challenge for other classes to do the same in the wake of the upcoming All-School Reunion this fall.

I enjoyed the walk down memory lane. I hope you will, as well.

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I have been taking jaunts to Roaring River since I was a child.  I recently embarked on a retreat to the banks of the rippling waters. I love the lore, the people the magnetic pull of the river and the green vegetation along its banks.

Roaring River adventures are looming on your to do list. Do yourself a favor and take a trip there before the summer ends. You won't regret it. I promise.

(You'll have to pardon my stuttering a couple of times. I was on my third recording of this narrative and kept feeling like someone was behind me...and it's not even Halloween!)

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With Back to School events looming on the horizon, conversations about technology and its use and abuse seem to crop up in tons of conversations.

I work with incoming teachers at Aurora and always get asked about do's and don'ts of  social media and promoting our school and community.

Here's some information that pertains to all of us as we navigate the ever changing aspects of technology in a fast-paced world.