Small town heroes
Recently I was watching television and within a few moments I had occasion to
watch three famous people who were born and raised in our back yard, so to speak.
It got me to thinking about our little rural area.
Most of the time when I am out of town and I am asked where I'm from, I of course tell
them Dexter or Stoddard County, Missouri, and that I'm very proud of it. I normally use
Cape Girardeau to explain where I'm from or if they don't recognize Cape, I wind up using St. Louis or Memphis and tell them I am about three hours north of Memphis or three hours south of St. Louis.
These people worked hard in their professions and, although they were born and raised in this rural area, became world renowned. So many times, and I am as guilty as anyone, we think if we are from a small or rural area we are limited in what we can accomplish.
I don't mean that if we don 't reach their status in the world that we have not or cannot
accomplish very worthwhile lives. That's not it at all. Most of us are called to stay in our hometowns to serve in our jobs or careers which is just as important. It's just that I feel that when they go all over the world with their talents and careers, they take a little of each of us with them to places we most likely will never see.
Whether I agree with their philosophy, or music, I must say I am proud to be able to say that they are from my community. They take the idea to the world that it is okay to be from small town America.
You will probably know the three I'm speaking of when I give you the names of the towns they are from. One is from Cape, one from Kennett and the other is from Bernie/Powe. Did you get them right?
The people I am talking about is Rush Limbaugh from Cape, Cheryl Crowe from Kennett, and Narvel Felts from Bernie/Powe--two giant music careers and one national radio host.
I remember as a young teenager the excitement of meeting Narvel Felts at the La Hub
cafe here in Dexter. Remember the La Hub? It was next door to the Citizens Bank. Since
that time he has become very famous and successful in the US and Europe. He has written many songs that were number one hits in the country music field.
I know there are lots of young people reading my column and I want to extend the
invitation to let your imagination run wild as to what you can accomplish with your life, whether it takes you to all corners of the US or the world, or wherever you live. Just make something good happen even if you do live in small town America, because small town America is wonderful.
I know Missouri is home to lots of important and famous people, including presidents, but
these three are so close to us.
See ya next time in the Korner. Thanks for all your e-mails and phone calls and stopping
me when you see me to let me know you are enjoying Kathleen's Korner. That gives
me incentive to keep writing. Don't forget you can also pick the Korner up online at
www.dailystatesman.com. Blog with me or e-mail me at kdover28@gmail.com.
Comments
- -- Posted by cheers4dhs on Fri, Jul 16, 2010, at 8:48 PM
- -- Posted by Dexterite1 on Wed, Jul 21, 2010, at 7:27 AM
- -- Posted by mrsdolphin on Mon, Jul 26, 2010, at 12:12 AM
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