Out with the old; in with the new!

There are some changes coming to 615 SW Main Street, which is located about a block south of Route 66 or Washington Street. Business cycles come and go and bring new ventures with them. The building was recently used as a restaurant, but with the departure of that tenant, owner of the building Andy Sanazaro, Jr. [...]

He loves Route 66, and he’s a traveling man

On a recent day, I pulled up outside the Fanning Outpost 66 General Store and the Texas Route 66 license plate and decals of the car above caught my eye. I thought I would see some enthusiastic Route 66 tourists inside shopping for souvenirs. However, I didn’t see them when I went inside the Outpost, one [...]

Trees and landscaping make economic and visual impact

In the words of Mark Grueber of the Missouri Department of Conservation in his paper Tree Planting in Missouri: Planting a tree has been described as the ultimate act of optimism and sharing — a meaningful opportunity to make a positive impact on our environment. Trees dramatically improve the quality of our lives. They help [...]

Is it Harry S. Truman or Harry S Truman?

While Presidents Day, was originally designated to commemorate our first President George Washington’s birthday, it is has become a combination observance of Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays and, in some states, other local heroes as well. On Presidents Day in Missouri we might think of “our” President Harry Truman of Independence, Missouri whose birthday is May [...]

Cuba High School Alumni Band 2012: The beat goes on…

Last night was the Basketball Homecoming in our small town of Cuba, Missouri. I usually don’t attend these any more, but because many of my ex-students had been writing for weeks on Facebook about their getting together, practicing, and anticipating the performance of their old Pep Band under the direction of retired band director Stan [...]