John Beal

John Beal is a contributor to The Shawnee Dispatch, Bonner Springs Chieftain and Basehor Sentinel. He retired in February 2008 as editor of those newspapers.

Recent stories

Eyes, stomachs filled on cruise
By John Beal
September 4, 2008
There’s no excuse for going hungry on a cruise ship. The cruise lines have figured out that the way to the traveler’s heart is through his stomach.
They don’t call them Badlands for nothing
By John Beal
August 27, 2008
The words “hell” and “devil” crop up often in the place names of western South Dakota.
Cussing can bring color to drab of language, old age
By John Beal
August 21, 2008
My stepfather had a saying about advancing age. “Growing old is no disgrace,” he would say, “but it’s sure inconvenient.”
Drama, hoopla draw of Beijing Olympics
By John Beal
August 14, 2008
With almost two weeks of events yet to unfold as I write this, it’s a little early to talk about how the Beijing Olympics stand up against previous editions.
Tough transit choices loom
By John Beal
August 6, 2008
The situation seems almost untenable and it’s not going to get better any time soon without some careful thought and a lot of hard work
Beal: A modest proposal to encourage voting
By John Beal
July 29, 2008
Swift’s essay, “A Modest Proposal – For Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland from Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public,” bemoaned the poverty that gripped Ireland. Now, after the passage of almost 300 years, I have a modest proposal of my own.
White knuckles aside, flying still saves time
By John Beal
July 23, 2008
Shakespeare was right: a little learning is a dangerous thing.
Surprised wife bears witness to panic attack
By John Beal
July 17, 2008
One of the things they tell you to do in bear country is make lots of noise.
Changes are accelerating in Johnson County
By John Beal
July 9, 2008
As we waited for the fireworks Friday at Shawnee Mission Park, I had the occasion to reflect on how Johnson County has changed over the years.
Don’t blame pop culture for being agent of change
By John Beal
July 2, 2008
I’m not the first to lament the state of contemporary music, and I know I won’t be the last.

Full story list

Recent photos

Darrel Donahue discusses his World War II memorabilia with Brad Harrington, left, Mary Ann Allen and Sheila Miller (in green coat). The large map at left traces Donahue’s progress through German with Gen. George S. Patton’s Third U.S. Army.

Slaves huddle in fear in this scene from “Underground,” presented last weekend at the Lyric Theatre by Culture House. Among them are Jamaica Tomlin, left, and her brother, Montero, right, students at Clark Middle School.

James Clark serves up a sausage order to Scout Matthew Taylor at Boy Scout Troop 149's pancake feed Saturday at Bonner Springs United Methodist Church. Meanwhile Allen Holder, center, dispenses coffee.

Mike Pasquale of Bonner Springs takes a second helping of sausage for his family at Saturday's pancake feed put on by VFW Post 6401. The event was held to raise money for scholarships.

Retired teacher Edna Kloepper accepts the Bonner Springs Community Service Award from Mayor Clausie Smith at Tuesday night’s Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Area Chamber of Commerce annual dinner at the Edwardsville Community Center. Taking a photo of Kloepper, in the background, was Marilyn Allen. Harold “Woody” Berry received the award for Edwardsville, but was unable to attend.

Full photo list