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I get asked all the time about the state of today's teenagers? Are they different? Do they have good manners? Is there some kind of a disconnect?

Well, let me just tell you about a couple of them from Aurora High School. Jaysa Ernest and Addi Hall represented Aurora at the Annual RYLA Camp a couple of weeks ago.

After hearing them speak last week at a Rotary Club meeting, I can tell you with certainty that they are going to make their marks on the world. They will be able to make their dreams come true and well get a front row seat.

Join me in listening to this week's podcast about a couple of girls who are daring to take a stand for kindness and change.

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This week paved the way for some time in the archives, some old-fashioned research, a couple of fall outings and a handful of stories.

Join me as I share a few fun ones as we work our way towards a few more holiday stories and projects to wind out the year.

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Friday, October 17th, would have been Evan Boettler's 18th birthday. This year should have been his senior year. We should be talking about a senior trip, graduation plans and college. I should be teasing him about calling my friend "Chainsaw Patty" or making him listen to one of my ghost stories as we get closer to Halloween.

His life was tragically stolen from us on January 3, 2024--when a certain kind of evil orchestrated an extortion attempt on a boy who had only had access to social media a few months.

I'm not sure the anger or grief will ever subside; but my hope is that we can become better-equipped as we navigate a future without him. We can join the efforts of his friends and family to educate and advocate about the dangers of social media and the dangers that lurk in the cyber world.

I don't run from the trauma or tragedy anymore. I have learned to welcome them in to sit side by side with me, while I wrestle with things like purpose, sadness, depression and loss. I want to use his story to give hope to others and maybe find a way to navigate through the valleys as we spend time together and enjoy the things Evan loved.

I think we can continue to find ways to celebrate the lessons he taught us in his 16 years with us. I hope to honor his memory by treating others with the same grace and love that he showed me.

I praise the efforts of Brad, Kari, Sikenan and the rest of the Boettler family and their friends as they move forward to help others through Evan's Voice.

The Poker Run is this coming Saturday at Hungry Hollow. I hope you'll join us there--rain or shine.

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We are blessed to have a gentleman living in our community by the name of Darrell Hastings.

He received state honors earlier this month for Good Neighbor Week. To add to his honors, Shannon Walker of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and I made a trek to his home to give him a cap and ask him a special question.

He said yes to being one of our Grand Marshals for the upcoming Christmas Parade on December 13th.

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How can you be a good neighbor?

Wave.

Smile.

Bake a pan of cookies.

Invite people over for a cookout.

Pickup some trash.

Mow someone's yard.

Help them with a project.

Hold a door open. Go visit someone to see what they need.

Be a good neighbor as we celebrate our community this week. We have a lot to offer. Plus, we have the best neighbors in the state.

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I attended a leadership retreat a few weeks ago with some new colleagues. I have been on fire about it ever since.

I have used it for writing prompts, columns and lesson plans.

I have used it to revamp and recharge my to do list and the circle of folks I want to work with most in these so-called Golden Years.

Take a listen. See what you think.

What do others need to know about you?

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Scott Pettit read the script Friday night as the undefeated Aurora 1965 Football Team made a special appearance at Kelley Field. If you were there, watching online or even listening--you were part of history.

This is the stuff dreams are made of and these dreams have lasted more than six decades as this scrappy team made headlines for their skills, speed, prowess and tenacity. These gentlemen represent the Houn' Dawg Spirit at its best.

The team gathered at Blackbird in the afternoon for an early dinner, made the trek to the Alumni Center for a quick tour and photo. They shared stories and viewed some memorabilia, late sat together to watch the Aurora-Monett game and made an appearance on the field at halftime to greet their hometown crowd with humility and pride.

The fans didn't disappoint them. They were on their feet cheering once again.

Special thanks to Bob Journagan and Scott Pettit for their efforts to bring the boys back home for this celebration. I was honored to be a small part of it as All Roads Lead Home. --Kim (Estes) McCully-Mobley

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Last weekend found me on a quick trip to the lake with my family. We were visiting with friends from Alabama and enjoying some much-needed down time.

We ate, we played, we laughed, we slept. We watched the Houn' Dawgs and the Chiefs from our lakeside cabin, Wranglers' Rest. I loved every minute; it just went by too quickly--as always.

Saturday found us at the Keeter Center slobbering over some ice cream and jumping on a tram later that afternoon at Dogwood Canyon.

The Ozarks. I don't ever tire of her people, her beauty, her stories and her treasures--just waiting to be discovered anew.