Not Retiring Yet

   It’s funny how stories and experiences run together to help a writer do his/her work.  Living just a few hours north of Branson, Missouri, I’m frequently contacted to do stories about what’s new and exciting in the music and entertainment phenomenon of the Missouri Ozarks.  In a few weeks, I’ll be heading to Branson on assignment for both the Kansas City Star and the Dallas Morning News.

   Last year, it was SkyWest magazine that wanted a story about the 100^th anniversary of the release of The Shepherd of the Hills, the Harold Bell Wright novel that painted such an intriguing picture of the Ozarks that travelers from around the world came to southwest Missouri to experience it for themselves.

   However, when Where to Retire magazine contacted me, they didn’t want a story from Branson, but instead Springfield, Missouri.  About 40 miles north of Branson, Springfield is considered the gateway to the Ozarks and is greatly influenced by the traffic that passes through the city en route to Branson.

   I, too, had been guilty of not giving Springfield enough attention in my travels, so I thoroughly enjoyed a couple of rather cold, but fun-filled days there last January.  When I sat down to write my story about why Springfield is so popular among retirees, I kept thinking about Dad Howitt, the lead character in The Shepherd of the Hills.  Dad Howitt was probably the first person to come to the southern Ozarks for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation in the latter half of his life.

    So that became the lead to my story.  To read the entire story, pick up a copy of the May issue of Where to Retire, or buy a copy on-line at www.wheretoretire.com.  And when you’re finished reading my story, read the one entitled Nirvana in the Northeast by Mary Bergin.  She’s a fellow writer and good friend from Madison, Wisconsin.

   But neither Mary nor I are retiring any time soon.  There are too many great stories yet to write.