Stories from Saturday, June 15, 2024

Today is Saturday, June 15, the 167th day of 2024. There are 199 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On June 15, 1904, more than 1,000 people died when fire erupted aboard the steamboat General Slocum in New York’s East River. On this date:...

A beautiful red bird landed on the limb of a dogwood tree only a few feet from my face. I was lucky to have my cellphone camera on and was ready to snap a photo. The bird seemed surprised to see the camera and stared at it long enough for me to take several quick pictures...

A chill crept over me, as I witnessed the look on the face of the young man. He was standing alone in the room seeming so dejected and sad. As I approached him, he bravely raised his head and began to talk. Murphy was trying to hold his own and follow his chosen path of going to college. ...

Some of my first recollections growing up in Nebraska were standing on an old hay wagon holding the reins as Dad walked beside the wagon pulling hay off for the cows. It was a four-wheeled wagon that stood maybe 40 inches off the ground. There was a hay rack on the front and back of the wagon to help keep the hay on the wagon. ...

Before there was a favorite teacher. Before there was a best friend. Before there was an independent nature. There was Dad. Dads come in many shapes, sizes and forms. The best are those who, alongside Mom, are there every step of the way. Next best are those who do their best to be part of their child’s life, whatever the circumstances are. Also great are moms, uncles and others who step in to fill fatherly roles...

Not long ago, the mention of Spring suggested the smell of fresh cut grass, but also all that gasoline and mixed oil used in lawn equipment to cut that grass. Today, more homeowners are replacing their dated, gas guzzling string and hedge trimmers with battery powered options that offer the same power and performance. Brands like Stihl, EGO, Milwaukee, Craftsman and Dewalt produce battery powered equipment with high performance that requires little to no maintenance...

Old Town Cape, the name selected for the local Main Street program that covers a wide area of downtown Cape Girardeau, has applied for membership in the National Main Street Network and the Missouri Main Street program; OTC is seeking volunteers for the organization...

Juneteenth is an occasion to celebrate freedom and think of those in Missouri, until 1865, for whom freedom was “not yet.” This account of freedom-seekers took place in Cape Girardeau while slavery was fraying. History-curious readers have been introduced to Peter and Zerilda Byrne by way of Beverly Hahs’s two-part series in this space April 27 and May 25. ...