A large wooden buck, complete with impressive antlers, lounges on a bed in the Stewartsville, Mo., home of Tabitha and Jason Yount.
It is the focal point of a hunting-themed downstairs bedroom. The buck overshadows the walls with chocolate brown paint and white wainscotting, the wooden gun case, the comfy chair and the real deer head.

Tommy Neel, 90, and Robert Dyche, 93, face each other across the small card table in an sunny alcove at Vintage Gardens South. A half-completed 500-piece puzzle rests on the table between them.
“I see that horse’s ear is still lying here,” Mr. Neel says, picking up the piece.
“Well, this must be the other horse,” Mr. Dyche replies, reaching for his own puzzle piece. “This must be the horse’s eyes.”
The men drop puzzle pieces into place as they banter back and forth. They work well together, but having completed more than 100 puzzles, that’s no surprise.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and there will be food, food and more food. And when the feasting is over, most likely there will be food left over. Turkey is usually the main leftover from the holiday meal. Of course, you can just re-heat it or slice and slap it on a couple of pieces of bread.
Or you can get creative.

Mid-Buchanan High School cheerleaders Ariel Hurst and Ashton Holmes are headed for the House of Mouse.

Pershing Elementary School students Kaylie Withrow and Allison Murphy, both 5, sit together quietly in a corner booth at Culver’s Frozen Custard in St. Joseph. Although the restaurant is warm, the girls are still bundled in their coats.
As other students slide into booths, an adult voice says, “Do you guys want to take your gloves off and your coats off so you can eat?”
While the majority of Pershing’s students are having lunch at the school, about 16 classmates are being treated to a meal at the fast-food restaurant for being named Character Students for October for showing self-control, the trait chosen for that month.

The name may conjure up images of a Saturday morning cartoon, but the Punch Brothers aren’t superheroes or wrestlers seeking ratings.

A Christmas tree, dressed with lights and decorations, is one of the most enduring symbols of the Christmas season. Not only do families delight in decorating it, they also gather around it to exchange gifts.

Kris Daise started planning for Dec. 20, her 40th birthday, a little early this year. But what she’s planning isn’t a huge party to mark the milestone occasion.
Kris is planning to make a difference.

Is there anything that people could pre-make to take and eat as they run out the door that would be tasty and healthy?
There are some ideas on the list — peanut butter sandwich and juice, breakfast taco with cheese/salsa and egg, if desired, and juice, yogurt fruit parfait, granola bar and milk or juice, cheese and crackers and melted cheese on toast.

Sidney Owens of St. Joseph has already sold some Girl Scout cookies to family and friends. Before November is over, she hopes to sell 300 boxes.
“They could be great stocking stuffers,” said the 13-year-old member of Troop 8032.
You’re not alone if you’re thinking it’s too early for Girl Scout cookies. And in past years, you would be right. Girls Scouts in this area normally sold the cookies early in the year.
All that has changed.