Articles > Columns > Missouri Memo

The Acid Test For Gold

By Danita Allen Wood

The story started out as a special project by a University of Missouri journalism graduate student, Ali Ryan, who was working for us. She initially surveyed readers, prominent Missourians, and state travel experts to propose a list, and then we had the excruciating task of narrowing it down to a mere one hundred. Rebecca French Smith came onboard to complete the project and proved so savvy an editor of the pack…... Read more >

Thanks To Teachers

There are about sixty-three thousand public school teachers, kindergarten through twelfth grade, in our state, according to the Department of Education. Every one of them, plus private school teachers, teacher’s aides, and all of our schools’ staffs deserves a great big thank you.

I’m thinking about school because I’m looking forward to it starting again soon. In spring, I eagerly anticipate summer vacation from school, and the more r…... Read more >

A Rewarding Season

By Danita Allen Wood

“To refuse awards is another way of accepting them with more noise than is normal,” said the late Peter Ustinov, though the quote also has been attributed to Mark Twain.

With that in mind, we at MissouriLife never refuse an award, but we will give them some noise! We’re so honored to be recognized and feel a bit like Sally Field when she accepted her second Oscar with the enthusiastic line, “You like me!” We thank …... Read more >

Whats on Your List

The project we’ve undertaken in this issue is a big one for our little staff. We started with MU journalism graduate student Ali Ryan. First she researched options and methods for identifying a list like this. Then she composed a survey thatmany of you kindly answered. We thank you readers who helped us pick items. Ali compiled those results and then wrote about half the package.

Next, everyone on our staff here made lists and more lists th…... Read more >