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A little feedback (1/13/13)So, a brand new DDD rolled out at the beginning of the year and last week, I asked for input from our readers. I'm happy to say that over the past week, I've received more than a few phone calls with comments, suggestions, ideas, and even a few criticisms...
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Just when you thought it was over (11/18/12)Some breaking news came out earlier this week saying that local officials are petition for a new election for the seat of 150th District of the Missouri House of Representatives due to an issue with ballots over the new district boundaries. Preliminary totals called the election at 50.5 percent to 49.5 percent in favor of Kent Hampton (R-Malden) over Tom Todd (D-Campbell)...
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A community that shows up (11/4/12)Seventy-six thousand, eight hundred and forty seven dollars. Wow! Words cannot express how awesome our local communities are. In the past two weekends, through a series of fundraisers, local business and individuals donated $76,847 to local families and organizations. That number is astonishing...
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Blowing smoke (10/21/12)First, let me be clear...I'm not a fan of smoking. I don't do it and I can't really stand it. Also, it really irritates me to have to walk through a cloud of cigarette smoke just to enter our local retailers because many smokers don't have the courtesy to smoke away from the entrance. To those people, my children thank you for the brief cough as they enter the stores...
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Happy birthday, baby girl (10/8/12)Today, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012, marks my daughter's first birthday. It's hard to believe a year has already passed, but then I look at my son, who will be 6-year-old in April, and I realize how quickly the time can get away from you. Recently, on her own, and I'm sure as a signal to tell her mother and me that she is growing up, Jillian has given up both her bottle and pacifier. No issues. No scream-fests. Just done. Good job, baby. I hope potty training is just as easy...
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Big shoes to fill (9/30/12)I know, I know. This isn't my regular spot. You were expecting someone else. Someone who has filled this space for the past 20 years -- Mr. Bud Hunt. Well, in case you weren't aware, Bud was recently promoted to Vice-president of Revenue for Rust Communications -- the Daily Dunklin Democrat's parent company based out of Cape Girardeau. Thus, I took it upon myself to move from my Friday column spot to the recently vacated Sunday column spot...
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Still learning (6/8/12)They say in life, you never stop learning. Well, earlier this week, I got an education I won't soon forget. On Tuesday, with help from my father-in-law, Chuck Long, and brother-in-law, Tom Mastrianno, I laid my first (and probably last) concrete slab (and footing)...
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The Little Artist (3/9/12)Move over Picasso, there's a new artist in town. No, I'm not talking about Mihai Tomescu, although I do enjoy his work. I'm talking about the latest and greatest sensation, Jacob Anderson. My son, who will turn 5-years-old next month, has really picked up the artist bug over the last year or so. He began with a doodle here and a doodle there, and ever so slightly increased his work rate...
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I'm back (2/17/12)Hi. Remember me? It's been a while since I've taken to the keyboard to utter my randomness and I apologize. But I'm back today (not that I really ever went anywhere), so here we go. United Way Recently, I asked United Way Vice-president Libby Mobley to come on my "Press Pass" Internet show to give some insight on the United Way and this year's goal...
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Censoring the Internet(1/6/12)WARNING: This article veers off my beaten path and into passion of mine, technology. Imagine one day your sitting at your computer and you decide to check out a video you published to YouTube.com featuring your child singing a hit pop song. You navigate to the site, only to find out it has been blocked by the U.S. government for violating the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), aka H.R. 3261 and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA), aka Senate Bill S. 968... -
Merry Christmas (12/23/11)On Sunday, my family and I, like many others around the area, will celebrate Christmas. This year's Christmas will be extra special, as it will be Jillian's first. There really isn't anything like a first Christmas. The children never remember it, but for us parents, we never forget it...
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Press Pass (12/9/11)A few weeks ago, we kicked off a new video series at DDDnews.com entitled, "Press Pass." The show is hosted by myself, and is posted on our homepage on Wednesday afternoons. Guests so far have included Sara Graves, executive director of the Kennett Downtown Revitalization Program; Jonathan Mays, president of the Kennett Country Club; and Meg Benson, executive director of the Kennett Chamber of Commerce...
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She gets social (11/18/11)On Wednesday evening, the family and I attended the annual Thanksgiving potluck at First Christian Church. The event marked Jillian's first social gathering, and first church visit, since she was born just six short weeks ago today. Needless to say, our church family was more than excited to see our new addition, and can't even begin to count the "just precious" and "adorable" comments we received. (Thank you all for those by the way.)...
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'Spook'-tacular (11/4/11)Last Saturday, my wife and I took the kids to the LaFemme Club Halloween Carnival at the Kennett Middle School Armory. Jacob was dressed as Green Lantern, complete with a hard plastic mask and glowing green ring, compliments of my friend Bud Winkle who picked up the mask and ring earlier this year. We used the two pieces to replace the foam rubber and plastic ring that came with the costume...
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They grow up so fast (10/21/11)Two weeks ago today, I was introduced to my new baby girl. She weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces. Although her brother came in at an even 8 pounds four and a half years ago, she felt so much smaller and more fragile. I wonder if it's because girls seem more delicate anyway?...
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She has arrived (10/7/11)It's 4:21 a.m., today, Friday, October 7, 2011. I'm relaxing on a lounge chair in room 138 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. The room is dimly lit by the soft glow of a few computer monitors. The only sound is that of a clock. Tick tock. Tick tock. A few short hours ago, I witnessed a miracle--the birth of my second child, Jillian Diann Anderson (her mother insisted we spell it with a "J" and not a "G," but there's still a good chance that her daddy's going to nickname her "Scully")...
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The Final Countdown (9/23/11)Well, folks, it's official. We are in the final countdown to the arrival of my little girl. Yesterday, my wife and I made the trip to Poplar Bluff for her regular check-up with the OB doctor. According to the ultrasound, daddy's little girl has developed to just over 37 weeks, and Dr. Patty said anytime she's ready, he won't stop her...
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Never Forget (9/9/11)This Sunday will mark the anniversary of one of the most tragic events in American history. Known since as simply 9/11, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, have left a lasting memory in the minds of millions of Americans. On that day, I was a freshman in college and was sitting in philosophy class when the professor got the word that a plane had struck the first tower of the World Trade Center...
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GOOAAALLLL! (9/2/11)In just over a week, the local Kiwanis will kick off its annual youth soccer league. This lucky columnist has managed to find himself in a coaching role for one of the 5 to 6-year-old teams. Helping me to mold the young strikers will be Dr. Rajiv Mallik...
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Tick, Tock (8/26/11)Slowly but surely, the time is ticking away. Okay, so it really isn't that slow...it actually seems to be flying by. What is this time I am speaking of? No, it is not "time to make the donuts," but in case you readers are not aware, there is a "bun in the oven."...
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First Bell (8/19/11)Yesterday, students in the Kennett School District kicked off the 2011-2012 school year. On Monday, my son will join the ranks as he starts preschool. We met his teacher, Ms. Bell, during a home visit on Wednesday, and Jacob was very well behaved. I hope he continues to mind his manners once he officially starts...
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Downtown (7/29/11)Has everybody seen the new "Downtown Kennett: Welcome" sign that was recently installed? Personally, I think it looks great. The deep brick red color matches nicely with the earth tone scheme that has been suggested for the downtown renovations. The sign is just another step in the right direction for the revitalization of Downtown Kennett, along with the building renovations that have already taken place, as well as the ones that will be completed in the future...
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What's done is done (7/22/11)So it's over. The contract has been signed. Mayor Crafton's hand has been forced. A vote of 8-2 and the City of Kennett no longer has an industrial park and spec building Congratulations to Frey Farms for getting a steal on the spec building and land and I wish them nothing but the best of luck...
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Another house guest (7/15/11)If you read last week's column, you'll know that my wife and I recently fostered a dog for the Kennett Humane Department. She stayed with us for about a week, getting adopted last Thursday. This past Saturday, we offered another four-legged friend a temporary home...
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King of Horseshoes (7/8/11)Over the holiday weekend, I attended a couple of gatherings with family members. As with most families, the gatherings generally have a couple of outdoor games to go along with the food. At a fish fry at my uncle's house, I played my cousin, about 10-years my junior, in a game of horseshoes. Before we began, I told him that I owed him for our last game, where he beat me 21-16...
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Missed it by that much (7/1/11)According to historians, the 13 United States of America actually voted to separate from Great Britain on July 2, 1776 -- not July 4, the day of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. From the outset though, Americans celebrated the event annually on July 4...
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Unsung Heroes (6/24/11)One week ago yesterday, a nasty storm blew into Kennett at around 6 p.m. My son and I were at the grocery store picking up a couple things for dinner when the sky went black and the weather sirens began sounding. When we got home, after having to wait out the storm in the store, I discovered there was no electricity. Funny thing about electric ranges, you can't cook on them when the power is out...