The Opera House in Missouri

07/17/2026

Prohodna Cave, located near Karlukovo in the Iskar Gorge of Bulgaria, is about 262 m (860 ft) long and is the longest cave passage in the country.

It is most famous for two large, naturally formed openings in its ceiling that resemble eyes, created by erosion over millions of years and often called the “Eyes of God.” The cave has two entrances and is a well known site for tourism, rock climbing, and bungee jumping.

Archaeological evidence shows that humans used the cave during the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and later prehistoric periods, roughly 7,000 years ago.

Early inhabitants likely lived there seasonally, taking advantage of its natural shelter and proximity to resources such as water, animals, and forested areas.

Excavations have uncovered stone tools, pottery fragments, animal bones, and traces of hearths, indicating cooking, tool use, and domestic life. In later prehistoric periods, the cave may also have had ritual or communal significance, as large caves in the region were often used for symbolic or ceremonial activities.

07/17/2026

In December 2025, a 430-year-old book quietly sold at auction in Norway for 1.3 million krone, around $134,000, the highest price ever paid for a Norwegian book. The buyer wasn't a museum, a collector, or a university. It was a 25-year-old footballer, Erling Haaland, the newest viral sensation.

Manchester City's record-breaking striker, had purchased the only known surviving copy of a 1594 edition of Snorri Sturluson's Sagas of the Kings, the oldest printed history of Norway. Written by an Icelandic poet in the 13th century and translated into Norwegian-Danish for the first time in 1594, it chronicles the lives of Norway's medieval kings, the country's Viking roots, and its conversion to Christianity. There was no printing press in Norway at the time, so it was printed in Copenhagen. The copy the Haalands bought was the only one left in private hands.

Haaland bought it with his father, former Norwegian international Alf-Inge Haaland, and from the start, keeping it was never the plan.

He donated the book to the library in Bryne, the small town in Time Municipality, southwestern Norway, where he grew up and took his first steps in football. His one condition: the book must always be left open so anyone can walk in and read it.
"I want the book to always lie open so that people can read about those who came from where I come from," Haaland said. "It's easier to feel drawn to reading when you can recognize yourself in the people and places being written about."

Then he added "I've never been much of a reader," he admitted. "But books give so many more people the chance to dream big, see new possibilities, and find their own path."

07/17/2026

Wow!

In December 2025, a 430-year-old book quietly sold at auction in Norway for 1.3 million krone, around $134,000, the highest price ever paid for a Norwegian book. The buyer wasn't a museum, a collector, or a university. It was a 25-year-old footballer, Erling Haaland, the newest viral sensation.

Manchester City's record-breaking striker, had purchased the only known surviving copy of a 1594 edition of Snorri Sturluson's Sagas of the Kings, the oldest printed history of Norway. Written by an Icelandic poet in the 13th century and translated into Norwegian-Danish for the first time in 1594, it chronicles the lives of Norway's medieval kings, the country's Viking roots, and its conversion to Christianity. There was no printing press in Norway at the time, so it was printed in Copenhagen. The copy the Haalands bought was the only one left in private hands.

Haaland bought it with his father, former Norwegian international Alf-Inge Haaland, and from the start, keeping it was never the plan.

He donated the book to the library in Bryne, the small town in Time Municipality, southwestern Norway, where he grew up and took his first steps in football. His one condition: the book must always be left open so anyone can walk in and read it.
"I want the book to always lie open so that people can read about those who came from where I come from," Haaland said. "It's easier to feel drawn to reading when you can recognize yourself in the people and places being written about."

Then he added "I've never been much of a reader," he admitted. "But books give so many more people the chance to dream big, see new possibilities, and find their own path."

05/06/2026

Another load of junk leaves the Opera House in Missouri. Thank you to Dave Showalter for allowing us to use his burn pit for this stuff. One step closer to restoration.

05/03/2026

We had an incredible find in the Opeta House today. If you've noticed in some of the pictures, the doors separating the entry from the theater are missing. I always thought they would be special doors, maybe even ornate with a small window. Behind piles of wood and under years of dust we think we found the original doors! We are super excited. Has anyone seen the original doors that can verify if these are the original doors?

05/02/2026

I owe thank you's to so many people for helping do something that originally looked insurmountable, cleaning out the Opera House. Today's thank you goes to Spencer, a friend of mine helping clear out the House and taking it down to totally empty.

04/05/2026

I usually don't like sharing the inside of the Opera House, but I thought you would get a better picture of what needs to be done. This is going to be a cool community center when it's done.

04/03/2026

A big shout out to Spencer for his hard work on the Opera House. Some of the biggest vines I've ever seen had attached themselves to the side of the Opera House, but Spencer David Rehm took them out. He also cut out all the stumps so we can now mow back there. Thank you Spencer! The vines on the ground were attached to the side yesterday.

04/02/2026

A big thank you to the Holt County Museum for this great article!

04/01/2026

We are working toward a spot on the National Historical Registry. Part of the process is providing photos of each side of the building. These are never before seen pictures of an 1893 opera house. We believe this building deserves a spot on the Registry. Here's our pics.