The Civility Project, which is an ongoing project that reminds citizens of the importance of respect in matters of public discourse, is celebrating its one year anniversary this week. To honor the occasion, leaders of the project, including members from the Library Center and Community Foundation of the Ozarks, will be hosting the free program series called “Building Common Ground: Discussions of Community, Civility and Compassion.” The program series includes poetry readings, photo exhibits and a soup dinner. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has more.
The Immaculata College Mighty Macs, the First Champions in Women's Collegiate Hoops, play an important role in sports history and are the subject of “The Mighty Macs,” a 2011 feature film. Historian Julie Byrne wrote the definitive history of the team in a book entitled O God of Players, and she will give a free public lecture on Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Meyer library on the Missouri State Campus. Cheryl Burnett, who coached the Lady Bears from 1987 to 2002, and currently serves as development director for Missouri State, will respond to the talk.
This is a story about a woman whose perspective is enriched by having lived in two very different worlds, and having lived for over eight decades. A single mom of two boys at 30 years old—a young widow, no less—Shirley Johnson became a teacher and taught at Baptist Bible College in Springfield for years. However, instead of retirement, Johnson packed her bags and moved to Kenya as a missionary, where she began changing the lives of impoverished kids. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark shares her story.
How do social service agencies keep track of how many homeless people are in a given area? Well, in Springfield, they get out there and try to do a head count twice a year. KSMU’s Brittany Donnellan has details.
Missouri State University alumna Amy Collier Artman will be delivering a public lecture “Televising Testimony: Kathryn Kuhlman and Your Faith and Mine,” about the pioneering televangelist Kathryn Kuhlman at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 in Meyer Library, Room 101.
Artman will discuss the rise of the Pentecostal church and Kuhlman’s role in that process.
There will be a response by Wayne E. Warner, author of the book “Kathryn Kuhlman: The Woman Behind the Miracles.”
This week, the Springfield-based humanitarian organization Convoy of Hope reached a milestone: it has served more than 50 Million people around the world through international children’s feeding initiatives, citywide outreaches, disaster response and partner resourcing. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has more.
Local high school students have the opportunity to travel to Africa with Shawn Askinosie, founder of Askinosie Chocolate. Students will travel as part of Chocolate University, a program within Askinosie Chocolate that inspires local students to learn business skills and get involved in the world beyond Springfield. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark talks to Askinosie, who shares how students can get involved in the program.
This is Marideth Sisco for These Ozarks Hills. This month, I was all set to launch a light-hearted episode about how this was the year when very nearly every story we hadn't heard the end of - ended. Bin Laden, the end. War in Iraq. Ended. The 12-thousand year old Mayan Calendar - zip. Even Khaddafi - Kaput.
Chocolatier Shawn Askinosie, founder of Askinosie Chocolate in Springfield, will be awarded the 14thhonorary doctorate from Missouri State University. The nomination was approved this week by the MSU Board of Governors, after receiving recommendations from the Faculty Senate and Interim President Clif Smart. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark spoke with Askinosie and has more.
This week, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department’s Women, Infants and Children Program, or WIC, announced that Schweitzer United Methodist Church will be the newest host site for the program. There are now four host sites around the community, besides the primary location in Springfield and the satellite location in Republic. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has details.
Dave Embree, lecturer of religious studies and minister at Christian Campus House, discusses several cultural and religious holidays celebrated in December in the Ozarks.
Residents of Greene and Christian counties wanting help in providing food and toys for their families can come to the Salvation Army in Springfield. Starting this week, those in need can sign up for Christmas holiday assistance, but must bring a couple required items with them when they apply. This year, the number of families expected to apply is higher than ever before. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has more about what others can do to help.
During the Civil War and in the years after, people in rural southwest Missouri were torn in alliances between the North and South. This tension, fueled through the use of media, religion and unresolved Civil War bias, made these hills the most violent area in the country until the turn of the century. These feelings led to the formation of the vigilante group, the Bald Knobbers. For our ongoing local history series, Sense of Place, KSMU’s Rebekah Clark looks at how the organization, known as the “law-and-order league,” shaped the history of the Ozarks.
Thanksgiving is a holiday known for family and food. However, some in the Ozarks aren’t able to connect with loved ones or have a good meal. For those of you who might not have any holiday plans scheduled, there are a couple of ministries hosting free holiday dinners and activities this weekend. Their message? No one should be alone over Thanksgiving. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has more.
A recent story in the national headlines involved a young woman revealing that her father, who was a judge in Texas, had spanked and even used a belt on her as a form of punishment. Many parents struggle to figure out how to properly discipline their kids. Some find spanking a useful tool for training, others are against it. But what does Missouri law actually say about this type of discipline? KSMU’s Rebekah Clark talks to Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson for some answers.
Even though the 2012 election is more than a year away, the process to pick a Republican presidential candidate is already heating up. One voting block that’s become an important player in this process consists of voters who self-identify as evangelical Christians. The beginning and evolution of evangelical conservatism is the subject of a book by a history professor from Purdue University who will be speaking in Springfield this evening. KSMU’s Missy Shelton reports.
Dr. Darren Dochuk, Associate Professor of History at Purdue University, will give a talk on “From Bible Belt to Sun Belt: Plain-Folk Religion, Grassroots Politics, and the Rise of Evangelical Conservatism”at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 7 in Meyer Library Room 101.
Missouri’s two US Senators are joining hands to pay tribute to soldiers who may have been overlooked due to discrimination. KSMU’s Jennifer Moore has details.
Tonight marks the celebration of the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah. The holiday lasts two days and serves not only as the Jewish New Year, but also offers a chance for repentance. KSMU’s Justin Lux spoke with a local Judaism professor and files this report.
Those looking to get a little exercise while still lending a helping hand need look no further. This Saturday, the St. Agnes Cathedral parish will be hosting their 3rdAnnual Friends of the Poor Walk in coalition with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. KSMU’s Justin Lux stopped by the church to speak with a member of the society and has details.
One of Springfield’s oldest churches, Campbell United Methodist Church, is celebrating its125th anniversary on Saturday. To commemorate the occasion, Campbell UMC will host a free old-fashioned carnival, complete with food and games straight out of the 1880’s. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has details.
Hala Giryani is a native of Libya living in Nixa, Missouri. Her mother and cousins are still in the north African country, where rebels stormed the compound of their decades-long dictator, Moammar Gadhafi in what appears to be the final throes of revolution. KSMU's Jennifer Moore checked in with Giryani again Wednesday.
This week is known as “Holy Week” because of the significant days on the Christian religious calendar, like Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter. Nationally many church congregations have seen leveling-off of attendance over several decades. Yet here in the Ozarks, various congregations see the Easter holiday as an opportunity to engage the community.
“You may want to plan ahead when you are driving somewhere in Springfield, Missouri on Easter Sunday. Because, I think, you might not just have a straight shot down the road.”
That’s Dr. John Schmalzbauer, assistant professor of religious studies at Missouri State University. He sat down and talked with KSMU’s Theresa Bettmann about the ways area churches are working to grow.
For many, Ash Wednesday is just the day after Mardis Gras. For these people, there’s nothing big about the day except for maybe a headache from the night before. But as KSMU’s Adam Hammons reports, Ash Wednesday is observed by others with solemn devotion.
