John McGuire tours Malden Historical Museum.

First David's doings

Every once in a while, life hands you something that makes you pause — not because it’s loud or dramatic, but because it’s quietly astonishing. My friend Deboarah Moore of Malden  showed me a photograph that did just that. She had cracked open an egg she bought at Harps Family Food Stores  right here in town — and there in the bowl sat not one, not two… but three bright golden yolks. Now, a double-yolk egg is uncommon enough to make you smile. But a triple-yolk? That’s the so

Portrait of Strength: The Great Sycamore of Frisco Park Standing in quiet majesty at the corner of Frisco Park, the great sycamore rises as a portrait of strength and spectacular beauty. Its brilliant white branches stretch boldly against the deep blue sky, a living sculpture shaped by time, weather, and memory. Few trees command attention the way this one does—rooted firmly in history, yet reaching endlessly into the future. Looking upward beneath its towering canopy, one ca

Photographing the Wolf Moon Rising - Moment to Remember Having the opportunity to photograph the Wolf Moon was an exciting moment—another chance to aim an iPhone lens toward the sky and hope for magic. Photographing the moon has always carried that sense of anticipation, yet rarely delivers the image photographers dream of: the familiar face of the Man in the Moon, the one found on childhood pages read by mothers, fathers, and grandparents. Tonight I was excited that stepping

Spending the weekend exploring  David’s Doings  in the  Malden Press-Merit  was an experience filled with memories of my days at Malden Junior High School. At the age of thirteen, I wrote my column without realizing how profoundly it would change my life. Growing up in the town I loved so well, I was given the rare opportunity to write about the days I observed at Malden Junior High—simple moments that, in hindsight, shaped my future. Eighth grade was an exciting time. High s

I want to begin by thanking the readers who have signed up for the Bootheel Beacon newsletter and the many visitors who find us through social media—especially Facebook. Your interest, your clicks, and your encouragement matter more than you may realize. As we look toward the coming year, advertising must be the catalyst that sustains the Bootheel Beacon. Creating, contracting, and publishing advertising is the essence of what will make—or break—the success of this community

The Allen Black Newspaper Archives: Exploring Malden’s History Through Its Newspapers One of the Malden Historical Museum’s most successful and widely used historical databases  is the Allen Black Newspaper Archives , an extraordinary research tool that allows families, historians, students, and lifelong Maldenites to explore local history through original newspaper records. This comprehensive digital archive connects generations of residents to their past through published l

At its heart, Malden Historical Museum  is more than a building filled with artifacts—it’s a living partner in keeping our community connected. One of the most meaningful ways it does that is through its sponsorship of the Bootheel Beacon . This partnership bridges past and present. While the museum preserves Malden’s stories and stories in other communities of southeast Missouri through photographs, documents, and exhibits, the Bootheel Beacon carries today’s stories forward

Malden, Missouri, is more than a dot on the map. It is a place where stories live in the streets, where memories shape the present, and where community ties run deep. David’s Doings captures this spirit by weaving together moments from the past and present, offering a unique window into life in Malden and the Missouri Bootheel. This column is not just about events; it is about the people, places, and everyday experiences that define a hometown. The Roots of David’s Doings Da