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Dr. Zira: What will he find out there, doctor? Dr. Zaius: His destiny. My obsession with all things “Planet of the Apes” started when I was just a little girl. From remembering bits and pieces of the original 1968 version to sitting in a theater in Burlington, Iowa with my parents watching an Ape Marathon…these…

The best time of the year to take a two- or three-day float trip is during early May, if you can plan around the high water and thunderstorms this time of year. It is usually warm enough during the day for wading shoes, but you need dry clothing and a jacket during the evening hours.…

A personal my Social Security account can be helpful in so many ways. You can benefit from its personalized tools even if you are not retired or close to retirement. With your personal my Social Security account, you can do much of your business with us online. You rarely need to call or visit a…

Why do I want a snack every night after the kids go to bed? It’s literally the worst time of day to eat, especially if you, like me, get a little of that acid reflux if you eat too close close to bedtime. So why would I ever choose to do that to my poor…

America is currently in a lull before the next election begins in earnest in late summer. During this time both sides are huddled while gathering donations, laying out their respective media assaults, and determining how best to diminish the opposition. It might be easy to stop thinking about certain issues due to quieting, but this…

When I was at the swap meet a couple of weeks ago, there was a young man there by the name of Conner McCarthy from Buffalo who was selling bass jigs he makes. I had used some before and they are darned effective if you attach a pork rind or rubber crawdad and fish them…

Running a small business can be a 24-7 endeavor. Managing employees, inventory, scheduling, services, and marketing can be challenging. If you’re a small business owner, or you work for one, our online suite of services can help make your life easier. Our online business services at www.ssa.gov/employer will save you valuable time when you file…

The state testing window for public school kids is officially open for many of our area students. Every yer I have been in education, the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) has occupied at least a little space in the great narrative of our school systems. So I guess I have a few thoughts. I try to…

On any given Wednesday of the year, I can be found strapped to my desk at The Forum designing pages, writing cutlines and editing photos to put out that week’s edition. It is a difficult, incredibly taxing day of work and a major weekly effort from absolutely every member of our small staff. It just…

Joy is the goal. We want to feel it as often as possible in this life. Joy eludes us, it evades our attempts to capture it. We spend money to attain it, and we come up short. We block days on our calendars, hoping to bask in that joy we are so diligently seeking. But…