President John F. Kennedy

Looking Back – Courage and the lack thereof

Courage. Once, it was a quality we expected in our leaders. President Herbert Hoover put it this way:

    “The imperative need of this nation at all times is the leadership of uncommon men or women.”

Our Founding Fathers were uncommon men who exemplified courage. Benjamin Franklin summed up that courage shortly after signing the Declaration of Independence:

    “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

    Those patriots had put everything on the line – property, status, personal freedom and even their lives –  by declaring independence from Great Britain.

Focus on Faith

Focus on Faith – That’s impossible!

Here I go again with another pop culture moment. Let me tell you about another one of my favorite movies, “The Empire Strikes Back.” This is second of the three original Star Wars movies. There is one scene in particular in this film that has stuck with me over the years. 

    A boy, Luke Skywalker, is trying to use the ‘force’ to lift his spaceship out of a thick and murky swamp, where it stuck after he crashed it there.

Trivia Too

Trivia Too – A little history on bison

I remember as I was looking at my book, The Life of Thomas Beard, about telling how the French explorers stopped at different places along the Illinois River including a stop at where Beardstown is now located.  

As the buffalo were sighted from their canoes, they wrote how the unusual animals would travel in the thousands and sometimes single file and sometimes as a herd.  When they traveled as a herd, they would leave a dark path of soil on which the others could then travel on.

Letters to Editor

Culbertson has new medical record system

Dear Editor,

    As I write this letter, the entire team at Culbertson Memorial Hospital is beginning to utilize our new Electronic Medical Record system, Oracle Health Community Works. On Sunday night we officially turned on the new system. In addition to the Culbertson personnel, a large team of consultants are on-site to ensure our conversion goes smoothly.

Creekside Boutique was officially opened last Friday with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Pictured above are (L-R) Mayor Randy McClure, Dustin Fritche, Cara Bell, Thad Walker, Sara Beth Fanning, Vickie Bell and Christa Stanbridge. Photo by JanetMartin

Virginia welcomes a new boutique

Virginia is proud to welcome another new business to the community. Creekside Boutique & Coffee Company held their grand opening on Friday the 27th. The business, located on the north side of the square, is owned by Sara Beth Fanning and will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Chandlerville Fire Department

Chandlerville Fire Department heads reinstated

It’s a mess!

   The article in last week’s Cass County Star-Gazette regarding the burning of an abandoned building in Chandlerville, had misinformation. according to Chandlerville Fire Chief Cory Simpson.

   Chief Simpson reported to this newspaper it was not an abandoned building that was burned. He also said that both he and Deputy Chief Tanner Force have been reinstated to their position.

Ashland Trunk or Treat

Wet, cold weather did not stop Ashland’s ghouls, goblins, dinosaurs, and superheroes from gathering Sunday afternoon at the Ashland fire house for popcorn, hot dogs, and sweets.                                             

moving truck

We are moved, finally!

Let’s face it; moving is stressful, but the benefits in  our new location definitely outshine the stress.

The Cass County Star-Gazette moved from 1210 Wall Street to its new location, 210A Washington Street, downtown Beardstown. We officially opened on Monday, Oct. 30.