Former Malden resident publishes acclaimed western novel
by David Black - Staff Writer
The Missouri Bootheel has produced many storytellers, but few with the range and reach of Sam F. Park. A graduate of Malden High School and Southeast Missouri State University, Park has returned to his literary roots with the publication of his new Western novel, Wasted, now available on Amazon.
Wasted introduces readers to an unlikely protagonist — the town drunk — and delivers a gritty, violent, yet deeply human story of survival and redemption in the American West. Early critical response has been strong, with noted Western authors praising Park’s elegant prose, emotional realism, and refusal to lean on hollow heroics.
Set against a stark frontier backdrop, Wasted is not just a Western — it is a character study that explores moral ambiguity, failure, and the possibility of grace. Park’s storytelling allows readers to see the world he creates, a quality that harkens back to classic Western literature while remaining unmistakably modern.
From Malden to the West
Park’s journey began in Malden, Missouri, where he grew up and graduated from Malden High School. He later earned his degree from Southeast Missouri State University, laying the foundation for a career spanning writing, film, and entertainment production.
Though his professional work has taken him far beyond the Bootheel, Park has never lost touch with the storytelling instincts shaped by small-town life—an influence evident in the authenticity and emotional weight of Wasted.
Founder of Scratch Lightning Entertainment
In addition to his work as a novelist, Park is the founder of Scratch Lightning, an entertainment company that develops and produces thriller media. With more than 30 years of combined development and production experience, Scratch Lightning focuses on low-budget horror, science fiction, action, and adventure projects — genres known for loyal audiences and enduring commercial success.
The company is launching an initial slate of feature horror films produced on moderate budgets, elevated by top-tier special effects talent and seasoned industry professionals. Drawing on close personal relationships within the Hollywood horror and special-effects community, Scratch Lightning aims to deliver production value and storytelling passion that transcends budget limitations.
These projects are designed to stand alone while also offering franchise potential in the tradition of iconic series such as Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Saw, and Final Destination. The long-term goal is to position Scratch Lightning as a trusted, reliable source of high-quality, commercially viable genre content.
A Bootheel Success Story
Sam F. Park’s success is a reminder that powerful stories can come from small towns and travel far beyond them. From Malden classrooms to Western fiction and Hollywood development rooms, Park continues to prove that strong roots and bold imagination are a powerful combination.
Wasted is available now on Amazon and is recommended for readers who appreciate Westerns with grit, heart, and unforgettable characters.
Holiday Lights and community spirit shines brightly in Malden
Photographs by David Black - Staff Photographer
by David Black - Staff Writer
Malden, MO As Christmas approaches in the Missouri Bootheel, the glow of the season can be seen not just in lights and decorations, but in the faces of neighbors slowing down, waving, and smiling as they pass by. All that, plus the joy of children hearing the Christmas music playing in the background as they drive by, to experience the holidays at the home of Richard Moore and Stacia Walton on Stokes Blvd. next to Frisco Park in Malden.
On a busy stretch of road in Malden, one family’s growing holiday display has quietly become a seasonal gathering place — a reminder of what Christmas is really about.
What began years ago as a simple effort to decorate a home has evolved into an ever-expanding outdoor display filled with creativity, humor, and heart. From eye-catching figures to unexpected artistic touches, the display now draws families, children, and curious passersby from across the community.
Richard Moore of Malden said, “We do it because we love watching people’s faces light up,” the homeowner shared. “You don’t see random acts of joy like this much anymore.”
And it’s true. Cars slow. Kids wave from the back seats. Adults linger a little longer than planned. Some visitors return multiple times in a single week — not because the display changes, but because the feeling does.
The project takes time, planning, and yes, storage space. What many don’t see is the effort behind the scenes — hauling decorations, budgeting as costs rise, and finding new ways to use every remaining patch of yard. But for Richard Moore, the reward comes nightly.“We probably get just as many grown-ups stopping as kids,” the homeowner said. “People just sit and enjoy it," said Stacia Walton.
This year, the display will feature a new interactive addition: a walk-up photo opportunity designed specifically for families and children. On Christmas Eve, the tradition continues: Richard and Stacia dress as Santa and Mrs. Claus and hand out candy canes and smiles to anyone who stops by.
It’s not about recognition. It’s not about traffic. It’s about community. They remind us that the Bootheel still knows how to come together — one light, one wave, one smile at a time.
At the Bootheel Beacon, that’s precisely what we aim to do: shine a light on the people who make this region special. This Christmas season, may we all slow down long enough to notice the glow.
Malden's shop with a Hero program spreads holiday cheer and community spirit
by Stephen Hankins - Staff Writer
MALDEN, Mo. — More than 40 children took part in Malden’s Shop with a Hero program Friday, pairing local youth with first responders for a holiday shopping event aimed at spreading cheer and building community ties.
The children were accompanied by members of the Malden Police Department, Malden Fire Department, Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office, New Madrid County Ambulance District, Missouri State Highway Patrol and U.S. military personnel as they selected gifts and essentials, organizers said.
The Shop with a Hero concept has roots in community outreach efforts that began in the early 2000s and has expanded both across Missouri and the nation as a way to connect children in need with law enforcement and other public safety personnel during the holiday season.
In Neosho, Missouri, a Shop with a Hero event first launched in 2000, pairing children with police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians to shop for holiday gifts; organizers say the program has helped thousands of families over more than two decades.
Throughout Missouri, similar events have been held for years. In Fredericktown, the program originally began as Shop with a Cop about a decade ago before growing and involving multiple agencies to better reflect community engagement.
Sedalia’s Shop with a Hero has been an annual tradition for nearly two decades, and in Cape Girardeau the holiday shopping event has been held for more than 30 years, with local first responders supporting children’s gift purchases funded by community donations.
Other Missouri communities, including Byrnes Mill and Texas County, also host similar programs that provide children with funds to buy presents and, in some cases, holiday meals and essentials with the help of donated goods.
Nationwide, the concept has taken hold in many towns and counties under variations of the name Shop with a Hero or the earlier Shop with a Cop.
First documented in communities such as Baldwin, Georgia, where Shop with a Cop began in 2014, the initiative brings children together with officers, firefighters and other helpers to shop for toys, clothing and necessities with funds raised through local donations and fundraising events.
Elsewhere, similar events pair youth with a spectrum of public safety officials and volunteers, including EMS and veteran personnel, with the dual goals of providing holiday support to families facing hardship and fostering positive relationships between young people and those who serve their communities.