If you read this column regularly, you know I’ve been on a simplification kick this past year.  We’ve even narrowed down the areas which we support financially. 

Virginia Hall never considered herself an activist.  After working for several years at a manufacturing plant, a bank and as a substitute teacher, Hall decided to retire from the working world. She wanted to spend more time at her home near Powell in eastern McDonald County.

Funnel cakes help defray youth's medical expenses.

Abbi Dunn loves her job as social services director at Medicalodge of Neosho.

Two local charitable groups are banding together for a fund-raiser.

Freeman Neosho Hospital made the largest donation to the Neosho Area United Community Fund in its history. Hospital employees raised more than $11,000 for the organization, which benefits a number of charities serving Newton and McDonald counties.

Maxine Austin, a 90-year-old former Realtor, pauses to discuss her life as she celebrates her birthday.

The newest member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jasper and Newton Counties, Jessica Schermacher, Amachi specialist, has always wanted to volunteer for an organization that works with children.

So after hearing about the Amachi program through Kathy Guebara with the Missouri Reentry Program, she began.

The boys’ favorite show is “Myth Busters.” 

I’m not sure but there maybe could be an entire “MythBusters” channel. 

It doesn’t matter if I’ve been watching a show for a long time… actively engaged, talking back to the TV set, etc., if I get up, if only for a second, the minute I return to the family room the show “MythBusters” is blaring away.

In the last few years, the McDonald County Historical Society has been greatly rejuvenated. Now, regular meetings are held, a newsletter is produced, and a county museum has been opened.

All this has been made possible because dozens of county residents have come together. And, for the past three years, this hardworking group has been led by Raylene Lamb.

The 22nd annual Street Dreams Motorsports Expo held Friday, Saturday and ending today at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center offered cars, trucks, motorcycles and even two semi-tractor trailer units. Spectators could visit with the owners, take pictures of the vehicles and even shop some of the area vendors.

Tracy Dittmer has been a mother without any support system, and she has been a mother with a strong support system.

A local scrapbooking store is moving its operations from the Neosho Square

The Neosho Recreation Center has a room full of new workout equipment. And the best part? Residents can use it for free!

A kickoff event for the 2008 Newton County Relay For Life will be held Feb. 25 at the Lampo Community Building.