Ron Soodalter

Nov 7, 2024 | missourilife.com | Ron Soodalter

Because of its oddity, the area south of Columbia was probably destined to become a state park, if not preserved in some other way, although this is hindsight, of course. There are so many natural phenomena here to excite human curiosity. Flowing creeks disappear underground. Natural shallow ponds called sinkholes act like funnels, holding water for only a short time after heavy rains. Deep holes in the earth open into extensive caverns. Bats boil out of these caves at dusk.

Nov 5, 2024 | missourilife.com | Ron Soodalter |Diana West

There was a time in America’s history when our currency was an imprecise, ill-defined medium of exchange. Harking back to prerevolutionary years, colonists freely used French, Spanish, and English coins to conduct commerce. Individual colonies often issued their own money, leading to endless confusion. It was a time when a “buck” was valued as the trade equivalent of a deerskin or buckskin and five bucks bought a cask of whisky. Conducting a war, however, has always been an expensive proposition.

Nov 1, 2024 | kentuckymonthly.com | Ron Soodalter

As most firearms enthusiasts no doubt will attest, there are arguably three types of firearms from America’s past that have achieved legendary status: the Winchester rifle, the Colt revolver and the Kentucky rifle. Of these, the last has the longest pedigree by far. A sleek, elegant weapon that combined art and accuracy, it put food on the table in peacetime and performed yeoman service in time of war.

Jul 24, 2024 | missourilife.com | Ron Soodalter

Gone are the days when Sedalia’s main claim to fame was being the trailhead for thousands of irascible, tick-ridden, Texas longhorn cattle. To many Missourians, the most extraordinary event to take place in Sedalia’s history was the Ozark Music Festival that was held 50 years ago in July 1974.

Jun 5, 2024 | kentuckymonthly.com | Ron Soodalter

Contrary to popular opinion, Boonesborough was not the first permanent Anglo-American community built in what was destined to become the state of Kentucky. That honor goes to a settlement established in 1774 in present-day Mercer County by hunter, scout, soldier, explorer, trail blazer, Indian fighter and all-around intrepid frontiersman James Harrod. Harrod was born in Pennsylvania sometime in the early to mid-1740s; his exact birthdate is unknown.