Technology helps make Rett Walters' celestial dreams come true Humans have gazed at the night sky for as long as they’ve walked the Earth. But few have gazed at the stars the way Rett Walters does it. He’s got his own observatory sitting on a hilltop that overlooks...
There’s a funny story about a man from Texas who liked to brag about how huge his ranch is. He told his friend that if he set off in his truck at sunrise, the sun would be setting by the time he got to the other side. His friend replied, “I had a truck like that...
Eric Van Alstine puts old tools to work making historical leatherwork Looking back on the craft he practices, historical leatherworker Eric Van Alstine realizes he’s come a long way. “I knew nothing about leatherwork,” he says of his entry into the craft. “All I knew...
Legislators welcome visits from Missouri's electric co-ops When a grassroots army of electric cooperative leaders called on legislators during the annual State Legislative Conference they found a warm welcome from the state’s elected officials. State Sen. Caleb Rowden...
Gather round for these crowd-pleasing eats When the hectic pace of life tries to overwhelm, sometimes we find the need to step back, refocus and take care of ourselves. Often that includes sitting down with the family who loves us for a hot meal of our favorite...
When he was 20 years old, William House bought his first truckload of handles and started peddling them much like a farmer would sell fruits and vegetables. That was in 1929, and today the business he launched is one of Barry County’s oldest industries. If it came...
Mizzou Wheelchair Basketball team returns to action in Columbia The coaches shout instructions and the players respond, despite the clamor of metal clanging and banging in the gymnasium. There’s the distinct smell of burned rubber that fills the air as the intensity...
Authentic Irish cuisine in an historical setting With a menu full of mouthwatering dishes, diners at America Bowman Restaurant will undoubtedly need something to wash it all down. There’s plenty of soda as well as wine and spirits all made not far from the restaurant...
Functional art thrown from the hands of Tresa Killion Tresa Killion remembers her reaction when a design teacher at State Fair Community College handed the student her first ball of clay. It wasn’t the type of response one might expect from a potter who would later...
Second generation continues family hobby, ventures If there is such a thing as reverse empty-nest syndrome, then Mel Toellner — or Bird Man Mel as he’s known to friends, family and viewers of his YouTube channel — probably has it. Since last summer he’s stepped back...