Rich Hill Senior Spotlight, Damian Ahart Palomo

.


#MidAmericaLive

Another record broken at Sherwood schools

Sherwood schools are celebrating a new school record in pole vault with an impressive jump of 11'4" by Aubrey McCulloh. This achievement marks a significant milestone and showcases dedication and skill in the sport.

Courtesy Sherwood Schools


#MidAmericaLive

How Laughter Can Support Healing and Recovery

A good laugh may do more than just improve your emotional health.

When you’re dealing with an illness, injury or even a stressful life event, laughter might be the last thing on your mind. But it turns out that a good laugh can do more than just lift your mood. It can actually support healing and recovery.

Laughter isn’t a cure for disease, but research shows it can help your body and mind cope during tough times. And when you feel better emotionally, it often helps your body feel better, too.

How Laughter Helps Your Body Heal

When you laugh, your body goes through physical changes. Your heart rate rises for a short period of time and your muscles relax. This can improve blood flow and help ease tension.

Laughter also lowers stress hormones and increases endorphins, which are natural chemicals that help relieve pain and boost mood. That means a few minutes of genuine laughter may help you feel less discomfort.

There’s even evidence that laughter may increase pain tolerance. When you’re recovering from surgery or managing a chronic condition, that extra boost can matter.

Additionally, laughter supports your immune system. While not a replacement for medical care, a stronger immune response helps play a role in recovery.

The Mental Side of Healing

Laughter won’t fix everything, but it can make the healing process feel a bit more manageable. It helps counter stress, which can interfere with sleep, raise blood pressure and slow recovery. It gives your mind a break and shifts your focus away from fear or discomfort. It also helps you feel less down or alone, especially when laughter is shared with family or friends. Feeling more upbeat and connected can motivate you to stick with treatment plans and healthy habits, which can help you heal faster.

Simple Ways to Add More Laughter to Your Life

With all the benefits laughter offers, there’s no reason not to laugh as much as possible. Here are some ways to do more of it each day:

• Watch something funny. A short comedy clip, sitcom or stand-up special can quickly lift your mood.
• Spend time with people who make you smile. Friends and family often bring out natural laughter.
• Read or listen to something comical. Books, podcasts or cartoons filled with humor can brighten a tough day.
• Find the humor in small moments. Look for lighthearted moments in daily life, even when times are tough or you’re recovering from illness or injury.

It may seem simple, but these small bursts of joy can add up. When you allow yourself to laugh, even during hard times, you give your body and mind a chance to reset, which can make you feel better in more ways than one.

Copyright 2026 © Baldwin Publishing, Inc.  Health eCooks® Heart Healthy Recipes® is a registered trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein without the express approval of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

#MidAmericaLive

Montrose Hall of Fame ceremony to be held May 23rd

Join us as we celebrate excellence and honor some of Montrose’s finest

The Montrose Wall of Fame Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 23rd at 11:30 AM inside the Community Building. This special event recognizes individuals and teams who have made a lasting impact on our school and community.

This year’s inductees are:

• Abby Vogel

• C.L. Brownsberger

• The 2010 State Championship Team

• Coach Gil Hanlin

We invite everyone to come out and show your support as we honor these outstanding inductees and their achievements.

Side note: We are currently gathering pictures, articles, and other memorabilia for Coach Hanlin’s shadow box. If you have anything you would be willing to share, please contact the school.

We hope to see you there!

Courtesy Montrose Schools

#MidAmericaLive

Archie city wide cleanup set for May 16

Archie Residents: The City of Archie will be hosting Spring Citywide Cleanup on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 8:00AM to 12:00PM, at Hodges Park. See notice above and have your city utility bill ready, showing that you currently pay City trash, in order to participate.


#MidAmericaLive

Thank you from the city of Archie

The City of Archie and the Archie Police Department extend their sincere thanks to “The Monument Guy,” Jesse Schowengerdt, for his exceptional attention to detail in adding the names of those who have served and continue to serve on the Veterans Wall. Your dedication helps ensure their contributions are honored with the care and respect they deserve.

Courtesy City of Archie, Mo.

#MidAmericaLive

Appleton City Senior Spotlight, David Connor

.


#MidAmericaLive

Bears earn Outstanding rating at Ensemble Festival

We are thrilled to share that the Butler Wind Ensemble (Grades 8-12) earned an outstanding (Silver) rating at the District 7 Large Ensemble Festival held at Southwest Baptist University last week. Their performance was truly phenomenal, and we are so proud of their hard work and dedication. Bravo Bears!

Courtesy Butler High School


#MidAmericaLive