The best way for small businesses to survive in a sea of global competition and “big box” stores is to make a strategic decision to offer excellence in their offerings. Excellence leads to a business becoming a destination.

WE’RE GOIN’ TO DISNEY WORLD! — Members of the Independence High School Bulldog Marching Band loaded up on chartered busses Monday afternoon, heading for Florida. Led by Band Director Erin Shelton and guided by numerous chaperones, the band (along with some lucky 2021 graduates that are marching along) will be performing in a Disney Springs parade this evening. Good luck, Bulldogs! Courtesy Photo

TEE UP — A steady stream of mini golfers enjoyed the first Riverside Park Glow Golf event of the season last Friday evening. Cottonwood fuzz floated through the breeze as Joshua Meadows caught this masterful shot. Courtesy Photo

Twila Brooks, of Yoga for Everyone, presented The Science of Yoga at the Independence Science and Technology Center on May 21. Her presentation covered the history of yoga, use of mudras, pranayama techniques and the benefits of yoga in everyday life.

Two Independence students were placed on the Dean’s Lists of their respective universities. Evan Knight was placed on MidAmerica Nazarene University’s Dean’s List.

Dear Annie: I recently moved in with my sister, who is two years older than me. We got into a fight recently because, while she is an extroverted, warm and beautiful person, she has a great deal of personality for me to handle.

BATTERY May 26- At approximately 5:23 p.m, IPD Officers responded to a call of a domestic battery in the 700 Block of North 9th Street. After investigation, Riley Essig, age 68, was arrested, processed and cited into municipal court for Domestic Battery.

Purchasing a new or used vehicle has become more difficult in recent years. Whether it is the in-person shopping limitations brought on by the pandemic, supply-chain disruptions that have limited the production of new vehicles, or the shortage of available used vehicles, Kansans have had to endure a great deal just to find reliable transportation.

Independence’s First Assembly of God was pleased to announce that their very first Kids Club will be starting June 2. All kiddos ages 6 through 12 years of age can participate in the program.

IN REMEMBRANCE (LEFT) — Many gathered around the Cenotaph in Mount Hope Cemetery Monday morning to pay respects to the brave men and women who gave their lives in the line of military duty. Though the wind was high, it did little to deter those who came out for the Memorial Day festivities being held by our local VFW and American Legion units.