Here is part 1 of the pilot episode of Husband and Wife with Kelly Rhoades, We normally do a pilot or practice episde if you will to see if the concept works. Its a bit rough and we are winging in. Please drop your feed back! we are planning to do more!

Ryan Sherrer from Lebanon Now sat down with Carol Barsby of the Laclede County Literacy Council to talk about a growing need in our community: volunteers willing to help adults improve life skills through literacy.

The Literacy Council is looking for people who can give just one hour a week to work one-on-one with an adult learner. Volunteers help with basic reading, math, GED or HiSET preparation, digital literacy, financial literacy, and even everyday skills like learning how to use a phone or calculator. No teaching experience is required—just patience, a kind heart, and a willingness to celebrate small wins with someone working to better their life. 

Carol shared that in the past eight years, more than 350 adults in Lebanon have earned their HiSET through programs like the Literacy Council. Each one of those graduates represents someone improving their future and strengthening our community. 

If you’ve ever thought about giving back but didn’t know where to start, this could be the opportunity. Just one hour a week can truly change someone’s life.

Laclede County Literacy Council

539 E Elm Street #A, Lebanon, MO

417-532-6697

lacledeLiteracyCouncil.org

[email protected]

Watch the full interview with Carol Barsby on Lebanon Now and learn how you can help.

From Poland to Lebanon, Magda Reagan’s journey is one of courage, hard work, and heart.

In this Girl Power story, Magda shares how travel, family, and a willingness to try new things led her to build a life in Lebanon as a real estate agent and the founder of Magda’s Kitchen.

What started with cooking meals for local athletes has grown into a business serving hundreds each week, all while staying rooted in community and connection.

In this episode of Girl Power, Abby Hoskins sits down with April True, and you can feel right away why so many people in our community know her name. April talks about growing up on a dairy farm, learning hard work early, and how she and her husband Danny have built a busy life together through family, faith, and a whole lot of commitment to Lebanon.

April also opens up about a long, scary season of health struggles that changed everything, and how that road led her to create True Wellness. What started as her own search for answers has turned into a space where people of all ages come for support, encouragement, and real care from a team that truly wants to see you get better.

It’s honest, emotional, and full of the kind of perspective that sticks with you.

Girl Power is sponsored by Covell Flowers, Espresso Bakery & Gifts, Kim Breeden and the team at Shelter Insurance, June & Beyond, and T’s Tees Custom Apparel.

On this episode of Girl Power, Abbey sits down with Jamie Johansen for a real conversation about building businesses, raising kids, and balancing life on the farm.

Jamie shares what it was like starting out as a freelancer, learning hard lessons about self-employment, taxes, and uncertainty, and why being your own boss isn’t as easy as it looks. She opens up about infertility struggles, building a life and career alongside Kevin, and what it means to bring kids into your world without losing your identity.

From running cattle and breaking ice in the winter to working in community-focused banking, Jamie talks about faith, resilience, and choosing Lebanon as the place to raise her family. Her heart is in empowering her daughters to be strong, well-rounded women who can do whatever they set their minds to.

Her advice to younger women: Don’t say no. Say how. Figure it out. Surround yourself with strong women. Cheer each other on.

Sarah Hampton’s story is one of growth, grit, and courage.

In this episode of Girl Power, Abby Hoskins sits down with Sarah, the producer behind the show at Lebanon Now, to talk about her journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a confident wife, mom, entrepreneur, and storyteller in our community.

Sarah shares openly about growing up between California and Missouri, navigating unhealthy environments, becoming a young wife and mom, and ultimately finding the bravery to change her life. From divorce and rediscovering herself during COVID to meeting Ryan and stepping into a full-time role at Lebanon Now, her story is proof that your past does not define your future.

Now, as the producer of Girl Power, Sarah helps tell the stories of other inspiring women in our community—while continuing to write her own.

Her message is simple: Count to three. Be brave. And just do it.

On this episode of Lebanon Vet Talk, host Adam Fries sits down with Becky Jewsbury, President of the Branson Veterans Task Force, to talk specifically about the mission and events of the organization.

Becky shares how the Branson Veterans Task Force, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997, works year-round to promote patriotism and create meaningful opportunities for veterans to connect. The conversation focuses on the organization’s signature Purple Heart Retreat, how it began, and the life-changing impact it has had on recipients who attend. Becky also explains how the retreat is structured, what costs are covered, and the goal of making the experience even more accessible in the future.

They discuss Veterans Week in Branson, including the Veterans Village, free meals for veterans, service officers available to assist with claims, live music, vendor spaces, and the Veterans Celebration Show. Becky also highlights special events such as the Medic, Nurses, and Combat Vet Reunion, the Rose Petal Ceremony honoring female veterans, and the Veterans Wreath Project in December.

If you want to learn more about the Branson Veterans Task Force, attend an event, or get involved, visit

https://www.bransonveterans.com/

You can also find them on Facebook at Branson Veterans Task Force.

Stay tuned to Lebanon Vet Talk for more conversations focused on veterans affairs and military matters.

This week we flipped “In the Box” and put David Millsap in the other chair.

What came out of it wasn’t just a career recap. It was the story of a man who has quietly been woven into this community for decades.

David talked about growing up here after his family moved to Lebanon in 1965, the influence of his parents, and how fairness and service were instilled in him early. He shared how he double majored in broadcasting and criminal justice because he loved both the adrenaline and the art of telling a story. That combination ended up defining his life.

We walked through his start as a juvenile officer in Laclede County in 1983, the tough love approach he took with kids, and the moments years later when grown men stopped him to say that shutting that cell door might have changed their life. He talked about moving to Springfield PD in 1994, working nonstop calls, leading investigations, and the weight that comes with cases you can’t forget. Not in a dramatic way. Just honest.

We covered his first run for sheriff at 31 and how losing was actually one of the biggest blessings of his career. Those 22 years in Springfield made him a better leader when he came back and was elected sheriff. He says his proudest accomplishment wasn’t a headline, but changing the culture inside the sheriff’s office.

And then we got into the other side of David. Nearly 40 years behind a microphone calling games. Driving hours after work just to broadcast. The love he has for painting a picture with words. His faith. His wife Tammy. His kids and grandkids. The steady foundation behind the public roles.

If you’ve known David as Sheriff Millsap, or as the voice of Jacket sports, this episode lets you see the whole picture.

It’s thoughtful. It’s grounded. And it’s very David.

Podcast Description

In this episode of On Call with Ryan Rogers, we dive deep into Alpha-Gal Syndrome, the unusual and often misunderstood allergy triggered by a tick bite. After polling the audience, Alpha-Gal won by a landslide, so we sat down for a long-form conversation to break it down clearly and factually 

Ryan Rogers, Physician Assistant and Medical Officer in the Army National Guard, walks us through what Alpha-Gal actually is, how it’s classified, and why it behaves differently from other allergies. Unlike typical allergic reactions that happen immediately, Alpha-Gal is an IgE-mediated allergic response that can be delayed by two to three hours after consuming mammalian meat 

We cover:

• What triggers Alpha-Gal and the role of the Lone Star tick

• Why red meat causes reactions but chicken and fish usually do not

• The wide range of sensitivity levels, from mild hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis

• Hidden sources of mammalian products like gelatin and medications

• How Alpha-Gal is diagnosed through specific blood testing and symptom correlation

• Whether the condition is lifelong and what current research says about recovery timelines

• Treatment options, symptom management, and the role of EpiPens

• Why alcohol can worsen reactions

• The difference between Alpha-Gal and other tick-borne illnesses

We also discuss common misconceptions, conspiracy theories, elimination diets, and what the medical literature actually supports versus anecdotal treatments.

As always, this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice  If you believe you may have Alpha-Gal Syndrome, consult your primary care provider.

If you or someone you know is navigating Alpha-Gal, this episode provides a grounded, research-based conversation designed to answer real questions from real people.

No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.

I sat down with Sara Johnson from Sleep in Heavenly Peace - MO, Lebanon, and this one matters.

Since launching the Lebanon chapter in 2025, they have already delivered 99 beds to local kids. That’s 99 children who now have a bed of their own. Not a couch. Not the floor. A real bed, built and delivered by volunteers right here in our community.Sleep affects everything. School. Mood. Confidence. Stability. This is about more than wood and mattresses. It’s about giving kids a foundation to grow.

If you’re looking for a way to help, here’s one:Bowling for BunksFebruary 21, 20262 PM – 4 PMBowlmor Lanes RT 66, Lebanon5-person teams – $150 (includes 2 games and shoes)Register or sponsor a lane: https://bit.ly/SHPLebanonbowling

They also have an Amazon Wish List and ongoing needs for new bedding and pillows. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3HOS1G25CBKK9..

.Lebanon shows up. We always have.Watch the full episode and find out how you can get involved.