It got very dark across much of Mercer County on Thursday morning, June 29, as a line of destructive thunderstorms swept through the area. Many instances of damage, a lot of them heavy, were reported. Much of the county was without power for varying times.
Dinner, DJ Friday; parade, car show/cruise, duck run among Saturday activities at Cainsville 4th of July
PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
CAINSVILLE The Cainsville community is hosting its 16th annual 4th of July Celebration this weekend.
“Red, White and Boom” will feature a parade, a car show and cruise, all kinds of games, and nightly entertainment - and, of course, a fireworks display.
The Cainsville branch of Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri will sponsor an appreciation supper Friday evening, July 7, at 5 p.m. Smoked pork, chips, baked beans, green beans and a drink will be available for a free will donation. DJ Andre Remmers will play country and
See Cainsville 4th, Page 10
2022-23 ends with surplus, 2023-24 estimates smaller surplus. District to apply for five electric buses, decides to not allow sixth-graders to play junior high sports
PRESTON COLE
Editor, the Post-Telegraph
PRINCETON The Princeton R-5 Board of Education closed out one fiscal year and approved a preliminary budget for the upcoming year during its annual, special budget meeting last Tuesday night, June 27.
First, the six members present approved the annual exercise setting activity balances at zero. That’s done become while some activities bring in revenue, others don’t, so for bookkeeping purposes the board takes the balances to zero each year.
Next, the board amended the 2022-23 budget to a final, actual amount.
The R-5 district received $7,669,873 during the 2022-23 school year, against expenses
of $6,337,085, for a final surplus of $1,332,788. The final unrestricted fund balance in Fund 1 (operations) and Fund 2 (teachers) was 51.59%.
What that means, superintendent Jerry Girdner told the board, is that the district can operate for one-half of a school year if it doesn’t receive outside revenue.
• The board approved an increase in the certified staff (teachers) salary schedule for the 2023-24 school year.
The district is participating in the state’s grant program that raises starting teacher pay to $38,000. Last year, districts had to pay a healthy chunk of the costs of the program, but if Gov. Mike Parson signed the budget the General Assembly sent him (which wasn’t known as of early Friday morning, June 30), that won’t be the case this time around. The legislature’s plan calls for the state to
See Princeton, Page 10
Mercer County Fair to offer livestock shows, cornhole tournament, tractor pull and live music over six days
PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
PRINCETON Early, longrange forecasts are calling for pretty much average mid-July weather for the 2023 Mercer County Fair, which begins next week.
The fair starts Wednesday, July 12 with 4-H conference and open class exhibit judging at 5 p.m. Fair royalty will be announced at 6, and the pet show will be held at 6:30 (registration starts at 6).
The Mercer County Health Department will hold a 5K run at 7:30, with registration starting at 7.
See Mercer County Fair, Page 10
During the July 29 storms, an unidentified person was driving a truck west on U.S. 136 when a large tree fell and the vehicle. He wasn’t hurt and was able to get out of the truck. MoDOT workers then removed the tree so that traffic was continued. The Mercer County Sheriff’s office and Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the report of the incident.
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NOTICE - Hunting and trespassing with dog and/or gun, trapping or fishing on land owned or leased by the undersigned is strictly forbidden. You are hereby warned to keep off these properties. Trespassers will be prosecuted.
No hunting, trespassing or fishing on property owned, leased or rented by Howard or Joe Don Pollard 4-21-22-52tpP
Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on Choate property at any time. 3-30-23-52tpP
Absolutely no hunting with guns or dogs, fishing, or trespassing on land owned by Berndt Farm and Berndt Twin Lake Inc. 11-10-22-52tpP
No hunting or trespassing on Cox family property - Andy and Donna Cox, and Robert and Tina Cox. 12-3-20-104tpP
INFORMATION
HOW TO CONTACT US Princeton Post-Telegraph
PO Box 286/704 West Main Princeton, MO 64673
Phone: 660-748-3266
Fax: 660-748-3267
Email: posttele@grm.net
DEADLINES Al Display Ads (Ads with borders) All Classified Ads News & Photos: 10 a.m. Friday
* - includes photos sent via email
NOTE: Deadlines change for holiday printing schedules. Advance notice will be provided. PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD! If an error is made in your ad, we will be happy to correct it. However, we are not responsible for errors that appear for more than one week.
ALL garage sales (and similar sales) MUST be paid for in advance, unless you have an account that is in good standing.
Christmas
From Page 4
3 p.m. - Christmas Olympics: Join park team members at the campground amphitheater for Christmas games.
6:30 p.m. - Christmas family trivia program: Campsite decorating contest winners will be announced at the campground amphitheater prior to a fun game of Christmas trivia. Compete against your camping neighbors in this test of Christmas knowledge. Sunday, July 9
Pack up the Christmas decorations and return to reality.
Crowder State Park is located at 76 NW Highway 128 west of Trenton, north off Highway 6. For more information, call 660-359-6473.
Husband’s
From Page 6
February or March, specifying that you wish your survivor benefit to begin in May 2024 at your full retirement age. Just be sure to emphasize that you are applying only for your survivor benefit and wish your personal SS retirement benefit to continue to grow by earning Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs) until you are 70.
First Team
Caleb Oligschlaeger, St. Elizabeth, sr.; Memphis Bliley, Platte Valley, sr.; Luke Barnes, Cooter, sr.; Mason Carroll, Community R-6, jr.
Second Team
Gavin Killion, Northwest (Hughesville), sr.; Kolton Payne, Oran, sr.; Isaac Green, St. Elizabeth, jr.; Haden Terrill, Wellington-Napoleon, soph.
Honorable Mention
Grant Burson, Northwest (Hughesville), sr.; Jaden O’Haver, Green City, soph.; Cody Shackelford, Leeton, sr.; Landon Krohn, Princeton, jr. CATCHERS
First Team
Jace Kesel, St. Elizabeth, sr.; Carter Dalton, Northland Christian, sr.; Carter Rice, Sedalia Sacred Heart, jr.
Second Team
Nic Massey, Oran, sr.; Wyatt Miller, Platte Valley, sr.; Grant O’Haver, Green City, sr.
Honorable Mention
Kaleb Coleman, Liberal, jr.; Justin Floyd, Leeton, sr.; Cole Medsker, South Holt, soph. INFIELDERS
First Team
Blake Wobbe, St. Elizabeth, soph.; Justin Payne, Liberal, jr.; Isaac Nieters, Northwest (Hughesville), sr.; Hank Eggerman, Lockwood, jr.; Levi Holtmeyer, St. Elizabeth, sr.; Aaron Peavler, Green City, sr. Second Team
Joe Heater, Wellington-Napoleon, soph.; Aiden Dunagan, Northland Christian, fr.; Kole Wiles, Liberal, soph.; Ty Hall, Green City, soph.; Conner Rice, Sedalia Sacred Heart, jr.
Honorable Mention
Brodie Wilson, Liberal, jr.; Tanner Damlo, Sedalia Sacred Heart, sr.; Rader Boyd, Lockwood, sr.; Lee Lambeth, Weaubleau, soph.
First Team Gavin Williams, St. Elizabeth, soph.; Payton Morrow, Liberal, sr.; Rhoads Lynn, Cooter, sr.; Alex Mattson, Platte Valley, jr.
Second Team
Chase Ray, Liberal, sr.; Noah Chipman, St. Elizabeth, soph.; Ayden Meranda, Community R-6, sr.; Brandon McQueen, Platte Valley, jr.
Honorable Mention
Luke Peterson, Oran, sr.; Dylan Snider, Lockwood, sr.; Blaine Durnell, Weaubleau, jr.
First Team
Eli Kemna, St. Elizabeth, fr.; Hayden Nazarenus, Cooter, sr.; Davin Sawyer, Wheatland, sr.; Gavin Allen, Community R-6, sr.
Second Team
Derek Rockett, Higbee, jr.; Nate Smith, Liberal, sr.; Connor Rhorer, Pilot Grove, sr.
Honorable Mention
Gavin Caldwell, Sedalia Sacred Heart, jr.; Landon Wiederholt, Platte Valley, soph.; Emmett Finkeldei, Santa Fe, sr. PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jace Kesel, St. Elizabeth, sr.
No tresspassing for any reason on land that we own or lease. John & Linda Baughman.
9-29-22-52tpP+C
No hunting or trespassing on any land owned by Bill and Peggy Heck
9-15-22-52tbP+C
No hunting, fishing or trespassing on property owned, leased or rented by Joe and Victoria Ryan
4-27-23-52tpP+C
Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on Highland Farms land owned and operated by Dixie Berger, Joe Berger & Steve Berger. 5-19-22-52tpP+C
Absolutely NO TRESPASSING, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, hiking, mushroom hunting and drones on land owned and/ or rented by FRJ Family Farms, LLC and Roberta Zimmer. 3-23-23-52tpP+C
Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on land owned by Barbara & LeRoy Hider 10-13-22-52tpP+C
All real estate and/or houses, and all rental housing and/or property, advertised in the Princeton Post-Telegraph newspaper and the Courier shopper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. We will not knowlingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.
The receipt of news, advertisements, letters to the editor, and/or press releases by the Princeton Post-Telegraph DOES NOT constitute an agreement to publish such news, advertisements, letters to the editor, and/or press releases. All news, advertisements, letters to the editor, and/or press releases will be published at the discretion of the editor. At all times, the editor reserves the right to edit, amend, and/ or delete any and all information at will, with or without explanation.
The limit of liability of the Princeton Post-Telegraph takes no responsibility for advertising, legal and/or non-legal, not published. The Princeton Post-Telegraph takes no responsibility for the non-publishing of news, letters to the editor, and/or press releases. This notice also applies for advertisements for the Courier (shopper).
You cannot apply for your survivor benefit online, so you will need to call Social Security, at either the national number (1-800-772-1213) or your local Social Security office, to make an appointment to apply for your benefit as your husband’s widow.
And to answer your last question, your state pension won’t affect your monthly Social Security payments because you paid Social Security FICA payroll taxes from your municipal earnings.
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC (Association of Mature American Citizens) Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit the website amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory or send an email to ssadvisor@amacfoundation. org.
Special to the Post-Telegraph
MARYVILLE Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents during its regular June meeting unanimously approved the University’s 2023-24 budget, which consists of its Education and General Budget and Auxiliary Services Budget, totaling nearly $110 million.
The budget includes strategic investments and scholarship funding to assist students as well as investments in employees through cost-of-living adjustments and health and retirement benefits. The budget also reflects projected enrollment increases and state appropriations approved by the Missouri legislature.
Presenting the budget proposal to the Board, Vice President of Finance and Administration Stacy Carrick outlined strategic enrollment as a top priority for Northwest in its budget projections. With that in mind, the FY24 budget includes strategic investments in programming and faculty and staff as well as program investments in dining spaces related to the university’s new partnership with Sodexo.
Regents’ approval of the budget follows their March approval of the university’s 2023-24 tuition and fees, which amount to an estimated average net tuition increase of 3.3% for instate undergraduate students and an estimated average net increase of 4% for out-of-state undergraduate students. Northwest meal plans, however, will decrease by 17.2% in alignment with the university’s new dining contract.
Agricultural Sciences facility upgrades
Regents approved plans for a micro-creamery to be housed within Northwest’s Agricultural Learning Center, giving the School of Agricultural Sciences an opportunity to enhance profession-based learning for its students and the potential to one day offer milk and other dairy products to consumers.
Regents approved the project with costs not to exceed $3 million and authorized University President Dr. Lance Tatum and Carrick to complete a contract with a selected bidder.
“We’re very, very excited about what this could add to our curriculum and what it can do for our students and their experience and their pro-
fession-based learning,”
Provost Dr. Jamie Hooyman, who presented the proposal, said to Regents.
The proposal is based on the university’s desire to help improve the state’s dairy industry by offering expanded education and training opportunities for regional producers and agriculture students.
Where dwindling dairy herds, poor commodity prices and a sizeable labor gap of skilled dairy workers have stressed Missouri’s dairy industry, Northwest is seeking to address those industry challenges by developing a fully functional micro-creamery at its R.T. Wright Farm and Agricultural Learning Center.
Northwest maintains a dairy herd of approximately 70 cattle at the R.T. Wright Farm, which is located north of the Maryville campus and is used to teach agriculture students about dairy health, management and collection. A lack of processing facilities at Northwest, however, means students’ profession-based learning ends after the collected milk leaves the farm.
The proposed project will remedy that gap, allowing students and regional producers to experience the entire lifecycle of dairy production, from herd management and collection through processing, food production, safety testing and potentially even the marketing and retail of fluid milk, ice cream, butter, cheeses or other dairy products.
Additionally, the Board approved a revised budget for the university’s renovation of the McKemy Center for Lifelong Learning to accommodate its Systems Management for Manufacturing and Agribusiness Program.
Hooyman explained to Regents that Northwest received additional grant funding for the project that allows the University to expand programming and training and purchase additional equipment, increasing the overall project costs to not more than $2.2 million. New president provides thanks
The Board meeting was the first since Tatum began his tenure as Northwest’s president on June
1.
In remarks to Regents and others gathered for the meeting, Tatum thanked members of the Northwest Leadership Team, staff, faculty and Board members for helping him begin to understand the University’s culture and processes.
“Let me just say thank you to everyone for making the first two weeks of my tenure here at Northwest the most rewarding two weeks of my professional career,” Tatum said. “I’ve got 29-plus years in higher education, and there hasn’t been a moment within the last 15 days that people have not been receptive to my questions or really worked as hard as they could to help me understand.”
Tatum added, “I don’t think there’s any major part of the university that I haven’t met in some way. I’ve had the great experience of walking around campus and meeting individuals who are serving our students every day, and I couldn’t be more proud of what I’ve already been exposed to.”
Tatum concluded his
remarks by saying he is forming a transition team that will begin meeting later this month to help him further understand the institution. Additionally, he and his wife, Jill, are finalizing their move from their home in Alabama to Maryville next week.
Other business
In other business, Regents authorized the university’s use of auxiliary
reserve funds, not to exceed $4.5 million, for its demolition this summer of North Complex and Phillips Hall residence halls as well as a project to repair and replace shower systems in South Complex. The Board had approved $4.3 million as a total cost for the projects last December, but See Northwest, Page ?
TRENTON This year’s Leadership Northwest Music Jam headliner, Greylan James, has helped pen the #1 country music song in the nation. The hit song, Next Thing You Know, and is performed by country hitmaker Jordan Davis. Having written several songs that have been recorded by numerous artists, this is James’ first #1 chart topper and he will be performing it live at Leadership Northwest Music Jam presented by Wright Memorial Hospital and Hedrick Medical Center. The event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Black Silo Winery in Trenton, Mo., for the third year in a row and is a fundraiser for the Leadership Northwest Missouri organization.
The event is being held during Trenton High School Alumni Weekend and will also include performances from local Trenton alumni Charlie Bacon, Sam Gibson, and Travis Mullenix.
Currently opening shows on Old Dominion’s sellout tour through July, James signed his first ma-
jor record deal with Big Machine Label Group in March of this year. He will be making a stop in Trenton to headline Leadership Northwest Music Jam before opening tour dates for Jordan Davis and Cole Swindell later this fall.
Tickets are available now via Eventbrite for $25. Tickets and more show information are available on the Facebook pages for Leadership Northwest Missouri, Black Silo Winery, and James. Ticket prices will increase to $30 at the door on the day of the show.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Food trucks will be available for dinner options again this year.
Tickets can be purchased at: https:// www.eventbrite. com/e/615104814057
About Leadership Northwest Missouri
Leadership Northwest Missouri is a program for community leaders interested in the regional growth of Northwest Missouri through high-quality training and networking opportunities. Participants are selected from the nineteen counties of the Northwest region and there are currently 484 alumni members that have benefited from this program.
Leadership Northwest Missouri is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
About Greylan James
After high school, James moved to Nashville, Tenn., in pursuit of his dreams in the music business. Shortly after, Universal Music Publishing signed him to a global publishing deal at just 18 years old. While writing, he was also featured on NBC’s The Voice and was ranked one of the best guitarists in the world under 21 by Guitar Center Magazine’s Brotherhood of the Guitar Top 100. His songwriting is proven to be relatable, often ending up in the hands of notable names such as Chris Young, Blake Shelton, Jordan Davis, Cole Swindell, Darius Rucker, and Chris Janson. In 2020, Kenny Chesney personally called James to inform him that he was recording his song Happy Does, which peaked at #2 on country radio charts. Next Thing You Know is a song he co-wrote that is currently the #1 song on the country radio charts and performed by Jordan Davis.
In 2023, James is also opening sold-out shows for Old Dominion on the No Bad Vibes Tour from January through July and has been shown support as a new artist by People Country, American Songwriter, CMT, and Billboard.
In April, he was named as SiriusXM’s The Highway’s newest Highway Find, featuring his songs My Future and 2 Years Back. In the same month, he signed his first major record deal with Big Ma-
chine Label Group with plans to release his first single to country radio this year.
Currently, sponsors of Leadership Northwest Music Jam include:
Premier Platinum level sponsors are Wright Memorial Hospital and Hedrick Medical Center.
Platinum level sponsors are Black Silo Winery, Regional Radio, K4C Premier Cottages, Northwest Missouri State University Nursing Program, North Central Missouri College, Missouri Sound and Technology, Essig Family McDonald’s of Trenton, and HK Tax and Accounting, LLC.
Gold level sponsors are BTC Bank, Trenton Coca-Cola Bottling, LLC, CFM Insurance, Carroll County Memorial Hospital, Stevens Excavating & Plumbing, and Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri.
Silver level sponsors are Dillon Harp - State Farm Agent, Marcia J Cox, ASM, Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance, Trenton Hy-Vee, Main Street Mercantile, Cobblestone Inn & Suites, Ron Dougan Agency, No Creek Properties, LLC, AgChem, Landes Farms, Dave's Body Shop, Northwest Health Services, Dynamic Tax & Accounting, Southern Bank, Chula Farmers Coop, and Cameron Regional Medical Center.
Bronze level sponsors are Century 21 Team Elite, Trenton Abstract & Title Company, Farmers State Bank, Main Street Trenton - TDIA, LNWMO Class of 2001, Landes Oil, Inc., and Pettijohn Ford of Trenton.
Special to the Post-Telegraph
JEFFERSON CITY While it may be hard to think of winter and the holidays, considering the current seasonal heatwave, Crowder State Park will host a Christmas in July event Friday, July 7 through Sunday, July 9. Make plans to attend by reserving your campsite now.
Schedule of events
Friday, July 7
Bring your Christmas décor and transform your campsite into a Christmas wonderland for a chance to win fun prizes.
Saturday, July 8
8 a.m. - Christmas scavenger hunt: Join park interpreters at the park’s campground amphitheater for a scavenger hunt of Christmas items. Wear your Christmas shirt or other apparel.
Noon - Christmas treats and crafts: Meet at the park office to make Christmas treats and crafts.
Noon - Campsite judging: Judges will anonymously go through the
campground and decide on winners. However, park visitors will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite decorated site.
See Christmas, Page 2
The Associated Press reports that more than 66% of Americans save their pennies. John Reyes in Los Angeles was cleaning out his deceased father-inlaw’s home recently, the home he lived in for more than 50 years. Among his belongings were sealed bank bags full of pennies - some, one million pennies. Reyes has put his find for sale online, asking $25,000 for the lot. But some are telling him to back off - that there may be a penny in the stash that is worth much more than that. A 1944 Steel Wheat Penny sold for $408,000 and a 1943 Copper Wheat Penny brought in $250,000, according to one report.
Special to the Post-Telegraph
JEFFERSON CITY State agencies are accelerating drought response efforts in Missouri and developing resources to assist those at greatest risk of serious impacts. Reports of local conditions are a key tool in assessing the changing drought situation. The public can assist local, state and national decision makers better understand conditions in their area by submitting a survey form via the
Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) service at droughtimpacts.unl. edu/Tools/ConditionMonitoringObservations.aspx.
CMOR is an online collaborative effort to crowdsource data on ground-level drought conditions as they develop.
Reports and photographs submitted through CMOR are used by state and federal officials to ensure the national drought map accurately portrays con-
ditions in Missouri and other states. By ensuring the map’s accuracy, federal resources can be made available as soon as possible for drought-affected areas.
Gov. Mike Parson on May 31 issued a Drought Alert for 60 counties from mid-Missouri to northwestern Missouri. The continuing hot, dry weather means drought conditions are expected to further degrade heading into summer. Other counties will be added to the alert and
be eligible for assistance as they reach established drought thresholds. A variety of helpful online resources are available at dnr.mo.gov/drought. The one-stop drought information website features current drought-related news, a series of Missouri drought maps and current condition reports, U.S. Drought Monitor, Missouri Drought Plan and other resources, including information on past droughts.
Special to the Post-Telegraph
JEFFERSON CITY As Missouri continues to experience extreme drought, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages the public to implement a watering plan for trees, especially newly-planted seedlings. In the urban and suburban forest, where valuable trees shade homes, sidewalks and businesses, watering them now can prevent losing them altogether.
“Living plants are more than 50% water,” explained MDC Forestry Field Programs Supervisor Russell Hinnah. “Water taken up by tree roots feeds the tree and transpires through the leaves.
A mature tree can move hundreds of gallons of moisture a day!”
When trees lose moisture through leaves and are not able to replace it, water stress develops. Windy conditions can even accelerate this stress. Water stress may not kill a tree outright, but it could weaken a tree and predispose it to other insect and disease problems. Water stress also reduces fruit and nut production.
Symptoms of water stress include leaf droop and the eventual drying and scorching of leaves, resulting in tree canopies turning brown.
“Some trees are dropping leaves to reduce water usage,” said Hin-
nah. “That doesn’t mean they are dying, but it does mean they’re thirsty and they may have gone dormant. Some species will regrow leaves if watered or if rains return.”
Hinnah advises people to water and mulch trees to help them through the drought.
“Trees and shrubs replenish water loss overnight and early in the day, so watering anytime except afternoon works best,” he said. “It stresses the tree less and less water evaporates.”
Slowly soaking the ground under the canopy of the tree allows roots more chances to absorb water. Hinnah advises against watering the foliage since it could re-
sult in fungal growth on the leaves and sunlight could scorch wet leaves if watered during the day. He also advises against watering a tree through a pipe stuck in the soil. Slow watering will cover a larger area and will reach all the absorbing roots.
“Use a soaker hose, sprinkler, or drip irrigation system,” Hinnah suggested. “For smaller trees, simply poke holes in an old hose or recycle milk jugs or other large containers by poking a few holes in the base and filling them with water. If possible, water from the trunk to the drip lines where the longest limbs end.”
Apply the equivalent of
about two inches of rainfall per week.
“If you’re using a sprinkler system, you can estimate this amount of water by placing several small containers under the canopy of your trees,” said Hinnah. “When the average depth in the containers equals two inches, you’re done with that tree.”
Newly-planted trees are the most susceptible to water stress and should be monitored closely. Many times these trees have lost a percentage of their root system in the digging process and are not very efficient with water uptake.
Applying a ring of mulch around the tree trunk, not up against
the trunk, helps retain moisture. Apply a three-foot-wide circle of mulch about three-inches deep ad keep it about three-inches from the trunk. Mulch keeps soil cool and adds nutrients.
Cracks in the soil indicate severe soil drying and add to drought stress for trees by allowing air to reach roots and subsoil to dry them out. Mulching or filling soil cracks with additional soil can help, but simply pushing in the sides of cracked areas can damage surface roots and expose a new layer of soil to sun and wind - creating dryer soil.
For more information on tree care, visit https:// mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/ tree-care.
RUSSELL GLOOR
Special to the Post-Telegraph
WASHINGTON Dear Rusty: I was widowed years ago and, when I approached age 60, I looked into Social Security survivor benefits based on my late husband’s record. He started receiving Social Security shortly before he died at $1,200 per month. My income at age 60 was $42,000 and, since Social Security would keep $1 for every $2 above the limit (around $15,000 at that time), I did not apply. Next year I will reach my full retirement age of 66½, but I plan to work until I am 70. Will I be able to receive full survivor benefits next year if I continue to work? I plan to switch to my own Social Security benefit at age 70, which will be higher than my husband received. Since I am waiting to apply for survivor benefits, will there be an increase in the amount I receive? I am a municipal employee and when I retire, I will collect from the state retirement system. I paid into the state retirement system and also paid Social Security taxes, so will my state pension have any impact on my Social Security?
Signed: Still Working
Dear Still Working: Congratulations on having an excellent strategy for maximizing your survivor benefit as well as your personal SS retirement benefit. Once you reach your full retirement age (FRA) next year, you are no longer subject to Social Security’s “earnings test” and can collect Social Security benefits without those benefits being affected by your work earnings.
Your surviving spouse benefit will be more because you are waiting
until your full retirement age to claim it. At your FRA you can claim your full survivor benefit from your deceased husband (without reduction) and collect only that while still allowing your personal SS retirement benefit to grow to maximum when you are 70.
Then, at age 70, you can switch from your smaller survivor benefit to your maximum SS retirement benefit and collect that higher amount for the rest of your life. Essentially, your survivor benefit reaches maximum at your FRA and your personal SS retirement benefit reaches maximum at age 70.
Note that you should apply for your benefits a couple of months before you wish them to start. For example, if you reach your FRA in May of next year you can apply for your survivor benefit in
See Husband’s, Page 2
GRM Networks awarded a total of $3,750 as part of the company’s Community Improvement Grant program. Organizations receiving funding in the first semiannual distribution for 2023 are the Mercer County Area Development Corporation of Princeton, Mo; Denver Community Betterment of Grant City, Mo.; and the Leon Community Playground Committee, Leon, Iowa.
The Mercer County Area Development Corporation (MCADC) and its Bella Boutique was awarded a $1,250 GRM Networks Community Improvement grant. Bella Boutique is a new resale thrift store in Mercer County. The grant will help offset startup costs associated with the store. Funds generated from the thrift store will be distributed through grant applications from area organizations. The MCADC has also designated 50 percent of the thrift store’s earnings to support a county-wide daycare program in Mercer County.
Special to the Post-Telegraph
JEFFERSON CITY In August 2022, legendary Missouri entertainer Lee Mace’s bass fiddle was put on display at the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City. Mace founded the Ozark Opry in Osage Beach and went on to nearly become a household name in the popular vacation spot. But there’s a missing part of the instrument’s history, which leads to how it ended up in the museum.
The bass was built in 1938 and used by Mace until sometime in the 1950s, when he sold it to another musician, Kenneith Pitts, who owned it until the early 1990s. But, not even Pitts’ family knew the instrument had belonged to Mace until it was put on display in the Missouri State Museum last year.
When she first heard that the bass was in the museum, Becky Reynolds, Pitts’ youngest daughter, was skeptical that it was the same instrument her father had played for more than 30 years. But, after seeing that the marks on the bass perfectly matched those shown in old photos of her dad, Reynolds was convinced.
In 1964, Pitts started a show that was inspired by Mace’s Ozark Opry, called the Pomme De Terre Opry. Pitts and his band first performed in a green and white-striped tent in Nemo, Mo., before moving to a building by the dam at Lake Pomme De Terre. The performed there from 1971 until the show closed in 1988.
Much like Mace, Pitts aimed to draw families by providing appropriate entertainment for all ages. The show would start with Pitts and his band playing a set of country standards by artists like Merle Haggard and Patsy Klein. After a brief intermission, Pitts would come back out on stage having removed his dentures, wearing a hat, silly wig and a pair of brightly checkered pants, to do stand-up comedy as his character, Herman Sneezleweed. In character, Pitts would do a series of clean, witty jokes with a put-on nasally voice, true to the character’s spirit.
The Pomme de Terre Opry signers with Kenneth Pitts dressed as his character Herman Sneezleweed is picture holding the bass once belonging to Lee Mace. “I don’t know where he decided to do that,” said Kay Martin, Pitts’ oldest daughter. “I know that I’ve never thought of my dad being a comedian, because he was always so dry. He was like a different person when he dressed up as Herman Sneezleweed.”
To close each show, the band would go back on stage and play a gospel song, often I’ll Fly Away, to send the crowd home.
“Having grown up in the 1960s, I was more of a rock music fan at the time,” said Reynolds. “But, I look back fondly on the music my dad and his band performed. Every time I hear that song, I break down and cry.”
When he wasn’t playing music or doing stand-up, Pitts was a father of four and worked in farming,
carpentry and construction. He also served in the South Pacific during World War II, earning a Purple Heart.
Pitts developed Alzheimer’s disease shortly after closing his show in 1989 and died in 1994. Reynolds said the disease likely played a role in her dad’s getting rid of the instrument, a decision her mom, Virginia, was particularly upset about.
The buyer was a mystery at the time. However, after the bass was displayed in the museum in 2022, Pitts’ family learned from a family friend that Pitts had actually sold the instrument back to the Mace family. After 30 years of uncertainty about the bass fiddle’s location, Reynolds and Martin were shocked
The gold dispenser
when the bass turned up in the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City.
“In the many years I was around all that music and all those people, it was never mentioned to me that my dad had gotten the bass from Lee,” Reynolds said. “I’m proud the bass is now in the museum. I thank the Mace family for that and I’m thrilled it’s there,” Martin said.
To see the bass fiddle and exhibits like it, visit the Missouri State Museum inside the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks. com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
You can find a candy bar dispenser anywhere these days but you’ll have to go to South Korea if you want to find a gold bar dispenser. GS Retail, which operates some 10,000 convenience stores throughout that country, has been fitting them out with gold bar vending machines since last September. To date, just 29 of their stores have been fitted with the machines, but they’ve produced some $19 million dollars in revenues. Guess what? They are wasting no time in providing more and more of their stores with gold dispensers. A company representative told UPI, “The most popular gold bar is the smallest, the 0.13-ounce one, which is currently priced at around $225. People in their 20s and 30s appear to be the main buyers, purchasing physical gold as an investment vehicle, especially in times such as these, when its value is continuing to rise.”
This is country entertainment Lee Mace’s long-missing bass fiddle, which basically went missing for over 30 years.
Special to the Post-Telegraph
WASHINGTON Dear Rusty: I just started receiving my Social Security in February 2023. I am also working part time at a company 24 hours a week. My question is... I feel like I missed something when I signed up for Social Security because they are not taking any taxes out. What did I miss? How do I go about fixing it so I don't get hit at the end of the year?
They are taking taxes out of my paycheck now, do they still take it out of my Social Security because I am working? Please help if I am not doing something right. Signed: Conscientious Senior Dear Conscientious:
Unfortunately, when the Social Security Administration processes your application for benefits, they don’t usually inform you that your Social Security benefits may become part of your taxable income. I expect that’s because your benefits only “may” become taxable - they do not definitely become taxable, because Social Security benefits are taxed only if you exceed a certain income threshold.
The thresholds at which Social Security benefits become part of your taxable income are different depending on your income tax filing status – those who file as an individual have a different threshold from those who file as “married – filing jointly.” And to further complicate matters there is more than one threshold for both individuals and joint filers. Here’s how it works:
• If you file your income tax as an individual and your “combined income” from all sources is more than $25,000, then 50% of the Social Security benefits you received during the tax year becomes part of your overall taxable income at your particular IRS tax rate. But if your combined income as an individual tax
filer is more than $34,000 then up to 85% of the SS benefits you received during the tax becomes part of your overall taxable income.
• If your income tax filing status is “married - filing jointly” the thresholds are higher - if your combined income from all sources as a married couple exceeds $32,000 then 50% of the Social Security benefits you received during the tax year becomes part of your taxable income. But if your combined income as a married couple exceeds $44,000 then up to 85% of your SS benefits received during the tax year are taxable.
“Combined income” is also known as your “Modified Adjusted Gross Income” or “MAGI.” Your MAGI is your Adjusted Gross Income on your tax return, plus 50% of the Social Security benefits you received during the tax year, plus any non-taxable interest or untaxed foreign income you had (note that withdrawals from a Roth IRA are not included). If your “MAGI” exceeds the above thresholds, some of your Social Security benefits are taxable; if you are under the first threshold for your IRS filing status they are not.
Social Security doesn’t automatically withhold taxes from your monthly benefits, and the FICA tax being withheld from your earnings are not used for that purpose. Everyone who works and earns must pay SS tax on their earn-
ings, which are mandatory contributions supporting the federal Social Security program. But that FICA payroll tax has nothing to do with income tax on your Social Security benefits. If you are working 24 hours per week and also collecting Social Security benefits, you will likely exceed the threshold for your tax filing status, which means that at least some of your 2023 benefits will become taxable. That could, as you suspect, result in a surprise “hit” when you file next year’s income tax return. Nevertheless, fixing this is quite easy:
Download IRS form W-4V from the IRS website here: www.irs.gov/ pub/irs-pdf/fw4v.pdf. You will be able to choose the percentage of your Social Security benefits you wish to have withheld for income tax purposes. Complete the form and mail it to your local Social Security office (get the mailing address here: www.ssa.gov/locator). Social Security will then start withholding income tax from your monthly Social Security benefit payment, which will mitigate any additional tax due when you file your 2023 tax return next year.
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC (Association of Mature American Citizens) Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email the foundation at ssadvisor@ amacfoundation.org.
All menus subject to change.
Serving from 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. Meals can be picked up at the west door (facing Broadway Street) from 11:30-12:15. Meals served with 2% milk, coffee or tea. All bread, rolls, buns and crackers are whole grain; at least half grains are whole grains. For meal deliveries, call 660-748-3636 by 10 a.m.
Everyone is welcome to eat at the Senior Center. Meals for anyone age 60 and older are a suggested contribution of $5. Meals for anyone under age 60 cost $7.
Monday, July 10: hot ham and cheese sandwich, french fries, brussel sprouts, apricots.
Tuesday, July 11: beefy Mexican cornbread casserole with corn and salsa, black beans, cherry salad.
Wednesday, July 12: chicken parmesan, lima beans, carrots, garlic cheddar biscuit, ranger cookie, fruit cocktail.
Thursday, July 13: chef salad (with ham, eggs, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, green peppers and cheese), breadstick, strawberries and bananas.
Friday, July 14: beef
stroganoff, mashed potatoes, California blend with cheese, assorted fruit, sliced bread, ooey gooey butter bars.
The Princeton PostTelegraph strives for accuracy and fairness in all of its news stories and photo captions. If you feel we have made an error, please contact us at 660-7483266 or posttele@grm. net (email) to request a correction. If it is found we are in error, we will be happy to publish a correction or clarification.
Special to the Post-Telegraph
WASHINGTON On June 18, 1983, Sally Ride boarded the Challenger, and became the first American woman to traverse the cosmos. Originally, NASA had restricted its corps of astronauts to men, but, according to History.com, “in 1978 (the agency) changed its policy…(and) approved six women out of…3,000 original applicants to (emerge as the first female astronauts in the U.S. space program.”
Ride, with “Stanford stamped” degrees in science and physics, was quickly positioned in the inaugural lineup. “She became an on-the-ground capsule communicator for NASA’s STS-2 and STS-3 (Space Transportation System) missions in 1981 and 1982, and an expert in controlling the shuttle’s robotic arm. NASA assigned Ride to be part of the STS-7 crew on April 30, 1982, serving as mission specialist and joining Commander Robert L. Crippen, mission specialist John M. Fabian, physician-astronaut Norman E. Thagard and pilot Frederick H. Hauck on the historic flight.”
For more information, The Grateful American Book Prize recommends Sally Ride’s and Susan Okie’s To Space & Back.
•After World War I, America’s unemployed veterans were promised Bonus Act payments for their services, but political delays left them adrift in poverty. Finally, on June 22, 1944, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the G.I. Bill and ended the ordeal.
According to History. com, “as the last of its sweeping New Deal reforms, Roosevelt’s administration created the G.I. Bill (officially the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944) to avoid a relapse into the
Great Depression after the war ended. FDR particularly wanted to prevent a repeat of the Bonus March of 1932, and when 20,000 unemployed veterans and their families flocked in protest to Washington. The American Legion, a veteran’s organization, successfully fought for many of the provisions included in the bill, which gave returning servicemen access to unemployment compensation, low-interest home and business loans, andmost importantly - funding for education.”
The Grateful American Book Prize recommends The G.I. Bill: The New Deal for Veterans, by Glenn Altschuler and Stuart Blumin.
• On June 27, 1829, James Smithson, an English scientist and wellto-do member of the National Academy of Sciences, died at the age of 64, and left his entire fortune of $500,000 ($16,487,120 in 2023) “to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of Smithsonian Institution an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.”
Some people say the bequest was motivated, “in part by revenge against the rigidities of British society, which had denied Smithson, who was illegitimate, the right to use his father’s name.”
After Congress learned of the lucky largesse, it was decided to use the funds to build museums, conduct research, produce publications, and invest in the sciences, the arts, and history.
Now, it is comprised of a worldwide network of 21 buildings, nine research facilities, a zoo, and 2016’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The Grateful American Book Prize recommends Gore Vidal’s novel The Smithsonian Institution
How fast is your ‘wheelie bin’
They put garbage cans on wheels to make it easier to take them to the curb for collection, but British engineer Michael Wallhead decided to motorize his trash can. He then hopped in, accelerated to a speed of 55 miles an hour and is now seeking recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the fastest ‘wheelie bin’ on the planet. The current record holder is another Englishman, Andy Jennings, who drove his garbage pail at a speed of 45 mph in May 2021.
Special to the Post-Telegraph
JEFFERSON CITY With ongoing drought conditions around the state, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds everyone to be extra careful with fireworks, campfires, and other sources of fire that could cause a wildfire.
• Fireworks: Don’t light fireworks in any areas where the sparks could ignite dry grass, leaves, or other potential fire fuel. Always have an approved fire extinguisher and an available water supply to douse sparks or flames. Wet the area around where fireworks are being discharged. Check with local ordinances and authorities for bans on fireworks and open burning.
• Outdoor burning: Don’t burn during wrong conditions. Dry grass, high temperatures, low humidity, and wind make fire nearly impossible to control. Check with local fire departments regarding burn bans that may be in place. A person who starts a fire for any reason is responsible for any damage
it may cause.
• Driving off road: Wildfires can start when dry fuel, such as grass, comes in contact with catalytic converters. Think twice before driving into and across a grassy field. Never park over tall, dry grass or piles of leaves that can touch the underside of a vehicle. When driving vehicles off road, regularly inspect the undercarriage to ensure that fuel and brake lines are intact, and no oil leaks are apparent. Always carry an approved fire extinguisher on vehicles that are used off road. Check for the presence of spark arresters on ATV exhausts.
• Making a campfire: Clear a generous zone around fire rings. Store unused firewood a good distance from a campfire. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquid to start a fire. Keep campfires small and controllable.
Keep fire-extinguishing materials, such as a rake, shovel, and bucket of water, close. Extinguish campfires each night and before leaving camp, even if it’s just for a few moments. Learn more about camping on MDC areas at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/camping.
Call for help: Call 911 at the first sign of a fire getting out of control.
• Report forest arson: Wildfires are sometimes set by vandals. Help stop arson by calling 800-392-1111 and reporting any potential arson activities. Callers will remain anonymous, and rewards are possible.
• Prescribed burn: Fire used in the wrong way can create disasters. Used in the right way, fire can help create habitat for wildlife. For more information on using prescribed fire as a land-management tool, visit mdc.mo.gov/your-property/ fire-management/prescribed-fire.
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Princeton R-5 From Page 1 pay 100% of the costs of salaries and related payroll benefits.
For the rest of the salary schedule past the $38,000 mark, the board added $1,000 per step on the salary schedule.
• The board approved the non-certified salary schedule, raising step one to $13.42 per hour. That’s an additional 3% to the schedule base.
• Salaries for the district’s three administrators were raised by varying amounts - 2.32% for elementary principal Wes Guilkey, 1.92% for high school principal Dana Seymour, and 2.06% for Girdner.
• Salaries for bus drivers were increased by 2.99%, to $69 per day and $13.42 per hour for activity trips. Drivers with routes of 80 or more miles will receive $79 per day.
• Finally, the board adopted the preliminary 2023-24 budget that calls for revenues to outpace expenses by a slight amount.
The budget estimates revenues at $5,653,610 against expenses of $5,597,826, for an estimated surpluse of $55,790 at the end of the 2023-24 school year.
Girdner told the Post-Telegraph that the difference in the two budgets is that during the 2022-23 school year, the district received, and spent, its final batch of COVID-related ESSER money.
Other items
• The board agreed to participate in the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Electric Bus Grant program. The district plans to apply for five buses under the program, with the EPA paying 100% of costs for the buses, charging stations, and infracture.
It’s anticipated that grant winners will be notified in January 2024.
• After discussion, the board agreed not to allow sixth-grade students to play junior high sports. After a vote by its member schools in May 2021, the 2022-23 school year was the first that the Missouri State High School Activities Association allowed sixth-graders to play on grade 7-8 teams.
old rock music from 6-8 p.m.
The big day of the weekend is Saturday, July 8, starting at 8 a.m. with a craft/vendor show that will run until 2 p.m. Registration for the parade begins at 9 a.m. at the parking lot of the Cainsville R-1 school, with the parade starting at 10. Winners will be announced at 10:30 at the ballpark
There will also be horse apple bingo at 10. Tickets can be purchased at Farmers Bank for $5, with the winner getting half of the pot.
Kids games and a train will be offered at 11, along with a cake walk.
Registration for the car show will take place from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., with judging taking place at 2 p.m. and announcement of winners at 3. A new event, a car cruise, will be held after awards are announced.
Other afternoon events include a swimsuit-only baby show at noon, a cornhole tournament at 1 p.m., a scavenger hunt at 2, a kickball tournament at 3, bingo and a horseshoe tournament at 4:30, and a super farmer contest and the famous duck run at 5.
Saturday evening events include the band Midnight County performing from 6-9 p.m. Girl Scouts will provide cake and ice cream at 8 (free will donation). The presentation of colors will be held at 9, and the fireworks show will take place at dusk.
A community church service will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 9 at Cainsville First Baptist Church.
Other items
• A raffle for a Remington ADL Varmint 22/250 with a box of ammo will be held, with the winner to be announced during the band’s intermission on Saturday night. Tickets are $10 each for or three for $20, and you must be 18 to buy tickets. The winner will have to be able to pass the FFL background check.
• Keith Deskins has made and donated a knife that will be raffled off. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. The blade is Alabama Damascus, and the handle is Indiana stag.
• There will be bounces house and tattoos for kids all day Saturday.
More information and rules can be found on the Facebook page “Cainsville Missouri City Happenings.” Or, you can call Rebecca Deskins at 660-8935315 or Tara Robbins at 660-425-5448.
Swine, rabbit and poultry shows will be held Thursday, July 13. Registration for the swine show will be held from 8-9 a.m., with the show starting at 10.
Registration for the rabbit and poultry shows will be from 1-2 p.m. The rabbit show starts at 2, with the poultry show to follow.
A NWMTPA and MSTPA tractor pull will take place at the lower fairgrounds at 6:30 p.m., with free admission.
The sheep and goat shows will be presented Friday, July 14. Registration will be from 8-9 a.m., and the sheep show will be at 10 a.m. The goat show will immediately follow the sheep show.
That evening will feature a cornhole tournament and a performance by the local band Centerline, both at the upper grounds. The cornhole tournament will start at 6 p.m. (register at 5:30), and Centerline will play from 7-11. There is no admission fee for the performance.
The beef and dairy cattle show starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 15, with registration from 8-9. A vendor show and farmers market will be held at the lower grounds from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and an ice cream social will be held at 3.
The 4-H/FFA livestock auction will start at 4 p.m. The super farmer contest will feature three divisions - mini, junior and senior - Saturday night at 6:30, with registration at 6.
The fair ends Sunday, July 16 with the Green Hills 4-H Horse Show at 10 a.m.
BUY A COPY OF THIS WEEK’S PRINCETON POST-TELEGRAPH AT THESE LOCATIONS: PRINCETON - Casey’s • EverCare Pharmacy
Hy-Vee Clinic Pharmacy • Snappy’s Post-Telegraph Office MERCER - Hour Place • Mercer Hometown Market SOUTH LINEVILLE - Randy’s Short Stop
Northwest From Page 3
the total was adjusted based on bids the university received.
The Board also approved, effective immediately, an updated Academic Petitions Policy that includes the recent addition of a Student Persistence Committee, which meets twice a month to hear appeals regarding course withdrawals and academic suspensions and dismissals.
Regents approved the appointments of three additional adjuncts to teach during the summer 2023 term and 240 full-time faculty for the 2023-24 academic year.
Thursday’s meeting was the last for John Moore in his role as Board chair, and he did not seek reelection. Per its bylaws, the Board conducted its biennial election of officers, electing Roxanna Swaney as chair and Mel Tjeerdsma as vice chair. Additionally, Regents reappointed Diane Hargrave, executive secretary in the Office of the Provost, as Board secretary and Carrick as Board treasurer.
The Board of Regents is responsible for sound resource management of the University and determining general, educational and financial policies.
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INGREDIENTS
18 uncooked jumbo pasta shells; 1.5 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean); 2 teaspoons chili powder; 3 ounces fat-free cream cheese, cubed; 1 bottle (16 ounces) taco sauce, divided; 3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend, divided; 20 baked tortilla chip scoops, coarsely crushed.
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain again.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and crumble beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cream cheese and 1/2 cup taco sauce until blended. Stir in 1/4 cup shredded cheese.
Spoon about 2 tablespoons filling into each shell. Place in an 11x7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with remaining taco sauce.
Bake, covered, until heated through, 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chips.
INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp. canola oil; 1 small onion, chopped; 1 bell pepper, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, chopped; 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1.25 pound 80% lean ground beef; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1/2 cup lager beer; 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon chile powder; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; toasted hamburger buns, sliced dill pickles, and potatoes chips, for serving.
DIRECTIONS
Heat oil in a large skillet pan over medium-low heat. Add onion, pepper, garlic, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 8 to 10 minutes.
Increase heat to medium. Add beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking beef up with a spoon and stirring occasionally, until brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in ketchup, beer, Worcestershire, tomato paste, sugar, and chile powder. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until sauce has thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.
Serve on buttered, toasted buns topped with pickles and potato chips alongside.
MEXICAN
INGREDIENTS
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean); 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained; 1 envelope (5.4 ounces) Mexican-style rice and pasta mix. 1.5 cups water; 8 medium sweet peppers; 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided; minced fresh cilantro (optional).
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375°. In a large skillet, cook and crumble beef over medium heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes; drain. Stir in tomatoes, rice mix and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed, 6-8 minutes.
Cut and discard tops from peppers; remove seeds. Place peppers in a greased 13x9 inch baking dish. Place 1/3 cup beef mixture in each pepper; sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons cheese. Top with remaining rice mixture. Bake, covered, 25 minutes.
Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted and peppers are crisp-tender, 5-10 minutes. If desired, top with cilantro.
KIELBASA WITH PEPPERS AND POTATOES INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon vegetable oil; one 16-ounce package smoked kielbasa sausage, diced; 6 medium red potatoes, diced; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced.
DIRECTIONS
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Place kielbasa and potatoes in the pan. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes.
Mix bell peppers into the pan, and continue cooking until peppers are just tender, 5 minutes.
CRUNCHY FRENCH ONION CHICKEN INGREDIENTS
1.33 cups French-fried onions, crushed; 1 large egg, beaten; 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves.
DIRECTIONS
Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Spread crushed onions in a shallow bowl. Pour egg into a separate shallow bowl.
Dip chicken into beaten egg, then press into crushed onions. Gently tap chicken to let loose pieces fall away. Place breaded chicken on a baking sheet.
Bake chicken until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
STEAKHOUSE BEEF & PEPPER STIR FRY INGREDIENTS
2 cups beef broth; 3 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak, 3/4-inch thick, cut into thin strips; 1 large green pepperor red bell pepper, cut into 2-inch-long strips (about 2 cups); 1 cup long grain white rice, cooked according to package directions (about 3 cups).
Stir the broth, cornstarch, soy sauce and garlic powder in a medium bowl until the mixture is smooth.
Cook the beef in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until it's well browned, stirring often. Add the pepper to the skillet and cook until it's tender-crisp, stirring often.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the broth mixture to the skillet. Cook and stir until the mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly. Serve over the rice.
Tim and Melinda O’Brien of Kansas City, Mo., were married 40 years ago and spent their wedding night at what was then known as the Muehlebach Hotel, which presented them with a gift certificate good for a free room for the night in any year on the month of their wedding anniversary. The certificate was lost some time ago but as their anniversary approached this year, they found it. The hotel was sold to the Marriott hotel chain in 1996 but Tim decided to contact the new owners to see if they would still honor the gift certificate. The folks at Marriott agreed and said that, of course, they would for the same rate they paid in 1983just $38.
DR. GLENN MOLLETTE
Special to the Post-Telegraph NEWBURGH, Ind. Life is filled with risks.
Perhaps you enjoy sky diving, climbing Mount Everest, or swimming with sharks? Each endeavor involves serious risks.
Nothing would be accomplished on this planet without people willing to venture out into the unknown. Space exploration, medical and educational advances would be stymied without an innate spirit to try new things and to boldly go where no man has gone before. That’s right - Star Trek would never have existed without the imagination of Gene Roddenberry.
From Christopher Columbus to the early settlers who forged their way West across America, our world is better. Scientists, engineers, inventors and explorers who thought outside the box, regardless of the risk, have paved the way for countless others.
Bad things can happen to all of us even though the risk may not seem great. Automobiles, planes, and trains are in motion every day. They are standards for transportation. Yet, there are still car and plane crashes and train wrecks. Human life is lost every day even in our common modes of transportation.
The people aboard the Titanic in 1912 were riding the most magnificent ship of that era. It was believed by some to be unsinkable. Some of the wealthiest people of that day were on that maiden voyage. Yet, the Titanic was no match for human error and an iceberg. Of the 2,240 passengers and crew, more than 1,500 people lost their lives in that disaster. Most of them believed they were on a safe and grand vacation. They were, but tragedy occurred.
Last week a small 22-foot submersible known as the Titan owned by OceanGate of Everett, Wash., carried five passengers to their death. The cost per passenger was reportedly $250,000 each for the trip to see the wreckage of the Titanic. Experts inside and outside of the company had warned of potential dangers and urged the company to undergo a certification process. Twenty-eight people are reported to have
made the trip see the Titanic wreckage last year. Trips have been canceled and indefinitely postponed due to various issues. There is speculation that the vessel made of carbon fiber was fatigued from previous trips. Tiny cracks not even visible could have existed.
Of course, these people thought they would make it back. They didn’t pay a quarter of a million dollars to die. They obviously believed they were safe. Even though there had been warnings about the construction of the tiny sub, they moved forward on their adventure.
The best any of us can do is to try to make good decisions and we will still have mishaps. You can’t control what others are doing around you and how their actions might impact you. There is always a chance of mechanical failure and human error. We live with hope that we will be able to recuperate from whatever might happen. Often, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
If we don’t live life with some risks, we aren’t living much of a life, if any life at all.
Dr. Glenn Mollette is a graduate of numerous schools including Georgetown College, Southern Seminary and Lexington Seminary, all in Kentucky.
He is the author of 13 books. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.
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THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment for religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peacefully assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
PAUL
Special to the Post-Telegraph
MAYSVILLE, Mo. The Great Reset, also known as Agenda 21/30, is a world wide political movement created by a group of elites. One of their goals in their own words:
“All countries and all stakeholders acting in collaborative partnership will implement this plan. We are resolved to free the human race from the tyranny of poverty and want and to heal and secure our planet. We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path. As we embark on this collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind.”
Let’s take a look at what that means. All countries includes the USA. We are essentially being told to give up our sovereignty to obey orders from a “One World Government.” All stakeholders means the state of Missouri, our 115 counties, and all the cities and villages must follow their agenda. Plus businesses NGO, and nonprofits. That is where the idea of ESG came from. ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance policy. ESG was a factor in the failure of Silicon Valley Bank because their decision process switched from sound business practices to ESG and diversity questions for loan approvals. It’s the definition and danger of “woke.” Compare the similarity of the Great Reset paragraph above and this line from Barack Obama’s 2016 speech: “We believe in taking care of each other, and in lifting each other up,
and leaving no one behind, and in meeting the collective responsibilities that we can only meet together”
“We are resolved to free the human race from the tyranny of poverty.” That is code for transfer of wealth. Wealth means they want to take your money and give it to poor people or governments of poor people around the world. It is the worst kind of charity and has been proven over and over again to not work.
In May 1964, President Lyndon Johnson proposed a new “activist” government policy to create a “Great Society” for America. He promised to declare war on poverty and homelessness. Johnson's programs failed. The poor became more dependent on the government. Free public housing was quickly destroyed by the residents. One of the tragic unintended consequences of the Great Society policy was the destruction of families. Single-parent homes skyrocketed, especially among minorities and the poor. The growth of gangs and gang violence can be directly attributed to the policies of Lyndon Johnson. Gangs have replaced traditional families for many of our youth in the cities.
Johnson’s goals for the Great Society are almost word for word the policy goals of the Great Reset.
Ronald Reagan warned us: “Now the question I ask about any welfare reform proposal is: Will it help people become self-sufficient and lead a full life, or will it keep them down
in a state of dependency? Isn’t our choice really not one of left or right, but of up or down?
Down through the welfare state to statism, to more and more government largesse accompanied always by more government authority, less individual liberty, and ultimately, totalitarianism, always advanced as for our own good. The alternative is the dream conceived by our Founding Fathers, up to the ultimate in individual freedom consistent with an orderly society.”
If we do not learn the lessons of our history, we are doomed to repeat them.
Paul Hamby is a free-thinking, conservative farmer and small business owner in northwest Missouri’s DeKalb County.
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