The Buffalo City Fire & Rescue in conjunction with the University of Missouri Extension Division Fire and Rescue Training Institute hosted an Introduction to Fire Service training on June 8-9 in the parking area at Superior Gearbox in Buffalo. The two-day, all-day training was offered to the local area of fire departments, that included Buffalo Rural, Long Lane, Louisburg, Urbana, Tunas, Pittsburg and more. This specific training according to Buffalo City Fire Chief Greg Cunningham is the “nuts and bolts” of beginning training.

Buffalo High School seniors were presented with scholarships and awards on May 2 at their Senior Awards Ceremony. Following the scholarships, all seniors were recognized with a list of their awards and future plans.

Seven local Dance Sensations’ students took home awards from the Dance Champs competition held April 12-13 in Kansas City. Soloists earning an Elite Platinum in their respective categories were Delta Halley, hip hop; Grace Choate, ballet; and Allison Sweaney, ballet. Mason Dority and Allision Sweaney also earned an Elite Platinum with their lyrical duet as did Katie Dotson and Delta Halley with their tap duet. Bella Snider and Zoe Sipes took home a Star Platinum with their jazz duet as did Choate, Dotson and Halley with their ballet trio. This was the first competition for all seven dancers. The dancers study ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, tap and pointe at Dance Sensations, a studio located just off the square in Buffalo since 2010.

School is underway again throughout the Ozarks. Just as when I was a boy, hundreds of kids climb on yellow school buses every morning at country crossroads or the ends of their driveways and lanes.

Forty years ago I might have been planning another trip to the West about now.

As an art graduate, I’ve found immense joy in experimenting with various art forms. The pure pleasure of creating has been a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me over the years.

Studies show that some benefits of having a pet are companionship, exercise, emotional support and can even boost mental health. It also brings dog or cat hair and time schedules for feeding, exercise and vet bills. So having a pet is not to be taken lightly. I wrote this poem a couple years ago. I think it is worth having a pet.

Have you ever been grateful you’re not good at something? This year I decided it’s probably best that I’m terrible at selfies. Truly, absolutely awful.