Apr 30 2026

Today it begins

Hi everyone,

Today kicks off the long awaited series of events designed to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of when Route 66 got its name. This afternoon at 3:30 I’ll be picked up in a parking lot near the Birthplace Plaza Dedication ceremony and taken by golf cart to the site where I’ll read the poem I wrote for the occasion. There will be a number of speakers.

One hour later at 5:00, I want to be 1.5 miles away in the Great Southern Bank Arena to see the recorded me reading my poem for that event (6 hours of musical entertainment hosted by John Goodman) broadcast from the overhead scoreboards. I don’t think I’m going to make it through the expected traffic but I’ll try. I have VIP parking across the street from the arena so I’ll make my dash and hope for the best.

Last night SANDY and I had a fine time at the SPS Appreciation Banquet. It was a full house and we were seated at a table near the stage. I wrote the introduction that went on page one of the program. Saw many old friends. Marveled, as always, at the dedication and passion of so many gifted teachers. Wore my traditional school bus tie. Here are a couple of pictures.

Apr 28 2026

It’s going to be a week

Hi everyone,

Busy week coming up. Tomorrow night SANDY and I will attend the SPS Appreciation Banquet (originally known as Teacher Appreciation Banquet). It’s an annual highlight for me, a special time when the community recognizes the teachers, librarians, and staff of our Springfield Public School district. With 24,500 students and 3,500 employees, this is Missouri’s largest school system. The Foundation for Public Schools has been holding the event for thirty years so there’s a good chance that we are among the oldest in the state.

I can’t find a good picture of one of the banquets. I need to take some new ones this year. But this is the tie I’ll be wearing. It was a gift the evening of the second banquet and I’ve worn it every year since. It’s my prized “go to school” tie and I wear it with pride and to show my respect.

On Thursday, the Route 66 Centennial Celebration begins. I’m practicing my five poems for when I read them at various activities on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I also need to finish preparing for the “Writing Children’s Books” workshop coming up in Branson on Saturday morning. Practice, practice, practice!

Oh, and have I mentioned David Harrison and Friends at The Library Center one week from today on May 5? I’m working on that one too.

Oct 21 2025

A rare performance by Rapper Dave

Hi everyone,

As you know, SANDY and I, with the help of many friends, gave a program at The Library Center on the final night of my term as Missouri Poet Laureate. One of the numbers performed by Byron Biggers Band was a brief poem called Love. It’s about a beetle who falls in love, settles down, and raises a family. The gig is that I sing it first as a love song, the band interrupts me, makes fun of my soapy rendition, and challenges me to get with it. I grab a pair of sunglasses, the band ramps up, and I do what by all accounts is an awful version of a rap.

JEFF’S girlfriend, KATHRYN ATWATER, captured my performance for the ages and also took a still shot of Sandy and me exchanging the mic during the program. Thank you for being there, Kathryn, and for giving me permission to post these mementoes today.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v3qNNQfIzU2YmKKi9GRfIc4ukAQLxEBN/view?usp=sharing

Thanks to Dean DAVE RICHARDS at Duane G. Meyer Library at MSU, the entire event was recorded and I’ll soon be able to provide a link for those who might be interested.

Oct 20 2025

Our cups (and glasses) ranneth over

Hi everyone,

We had the pure pleasure of having dear friends, MARY JO and HANK FRESCH, join us at Bella Vita for the past few days. We ate good food, visited, laughed, and enjoyed the blue skies and 80+ days.

Mary Jo and I are working on a book so we took time out to make some recordings. The book will include 100 of my poems and they’ll all be recorded. Most of them already are. Mary Jo will bring her wizardry to write the rest of the book. I can’t wait to show it to you when the time comes. Here we are recovering from the strenuous work.

Meanwhile, Hank managed to entertain himself while his wife was busy working.

Mary Jo, I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted from our workload. I need to take it easy for a few days.

Oct 1 2025

Oh what a night!

Hi everyone,

I had a night to long remember and cherish. With SANDY co-presenting with me, we welcomed a full house of friends, colleagues, and supporters. I’ll let the pictures tell the story. My gratitude to all who came last night or worked in the background to make the evening come off so beautifully. I am now officially a former MO PL and am eager to know who #8 will be. Thank you Sandy!