Opinions
Joseph McClurg
One of the great mysteries of Ozark County is the Old Salt Road, also known as McClurg’s Salt Road. Many living here today have heard of it, but most are unaware of its origin or its destination.
Active settlement of the Ozarks came on the heels of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the subsequent...
Ronnie Parsons in 1959 with his sister Gayle and their uncle Lawrence Smith, who, with his wife, Ava, raised the children after the death of their parents.
Editor’s note: Ozark County native Ronnie Parsons, a 1969 graduate of Gainesville High School now living with his wife, Margaret, in Abilene, Texas, writes occasional stories about his growing-up years in Brixey Holler.
Leonidas Smith, which most of the folks just pronounced “Londas,” was the...
Times editor Sue Ann Jones says Mike Sparks, shown in this 1998 photo with his step-granddaughter Madeline Kahl, is “the best stepdad I know.”
I hope all you dads out there had a great Father’s Day. And I hope all you kids out there are as lucky as I was to have one of those dads who raised us with love, molded us with discipline, grounded us in faith and infused us with courage and confidence.
But now that the “real” Father’s Day has...
A successful fishing trip to Rockbridge Rainbow Trout ranch was a proud accomplishment for almost all of Sue Ann’s five bi-coastal grandkids during their visit to Ozark County last week.
The Fantastic Five – my five bi-coastal grandkids – visited me last week, along with their parents. Physically, we were all gathered here in Ozark County, but in my heart, I was in heaven – and my second-oldest grandchild, Reese, 5, seemed to sense my impending residency there. I met her and her...
A successful fishing trip to Rockbridge Rainbow Trout ranch was a proud accomplishment for almost all of Sue Ann’s five bi-coastal grandkids during their visit to Ozark County last week.
The Fantastic Five – my five bi-coastal grandkids – visited me last week, along with their parents. Physically, we were all gathered here in Ozark County, but in my heart, I was in heaven – and my second-oldest grandchild, Reese, 5, seemed to sense my impending residency there. I met her and her...
With its short, stubby tail and wispy tufts of new feathers topping its head and sticking out from the back of its neck, the first wren fledgling looked a little bit like an alien.
Note: To read more of Theodosia resident Connie Smiley’s blog, visit ozarkgrace.blogspot.com.
It’s quiet on the front porch this afternoon, and a little bit lonely, after the clamor of the morning. A pair of Carolina Wrens have been nesting in a creel that hangs from one of the porch pillars, and...
With its short, stubby tail and wispy tufts of new feathers topping its head and sticking out from the back of its neck, the first wren fledgling looked a little bit like an alien.
Note: To read more of Theodosia resident Connie Smiley’s blog, visit ozarkgrace.blogspot.com.
It’s quiet on the front porch this afternoon, and a little bit lonely, after the clamor of the morning. A pair of Carolina Wrens have been nesting in a creel that hangs from one of the porch pillars, and...
Karla Eslinger
Hello, friends, I hope all had the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful Easter with family and friends. This year our family I visited First Baptist Church in Gainesville for Easter service as our friend and fellow Eslinger, Mason Eslinger, led the service as pastor. Mason delivered a wonderful sermon...
Lonnie High
Last week, as I was looking out from my porch watching the crows flying about, calling out to one another, it brought back a memory from my childhood growing up on our farm in Ozark County.
As my friend Doug Robinson and I were out walking one Sunday afternoon, we came upon two baby crows that...
Lonnie High
Editor’s note: Ozark County native Lonnie High is one of the eight children raised by Elmer and Thelma High in the Grabeel community. He is a 1961 graduate of Gainesville High School. After living for several years in Camdenton, he recently moved back home to Ozark County.
Growing up on my family...