On May 6, 2012, Ashley Mosier competed in the Mrs. Missouri United States pageant in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Ashley is a resident of Dexter. She and her husband Justin are the proud parents of Landon, age seven, and Jett, age two. Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University, and is the owner of Halo. Halo is a salon and day spa located in Dexter. Ashley enjoys camping, fishing, and traveling with her family.
At the Mrs. Missouri pageant, Ashley won Miss Congeniality, and was named first runner up. Aquillia Vang of Waynesville, Missouri was crowned. In July, Aquillia competed in the Mrs. United States pageant held in Las Vegas and she won.
Three weeks after Aquillia’s win, Vanbros and Associates contacted Ashley. Vanbros and Associates is the company that produces the pageant. “They asked if I would like to take over the title and I said yes,” recalls Ashley.
This past weekend Ashley traveled to Kansas City to be officially crowned Mrs. Missouri. The crowning was viewed live on KHBS News. This was a very exciting time for Ashley Mosier.
“The reason I initially decided to do the pageant was so that I would become motivated to lose the remaining baby weight I had from my son, Jet, who just turned two.” Ashley knew that if she had to get on stage in a bikini she would really buckle down and get into shape, and she did it!
“I feel like getting ready for the pageant was an awesome experience because it made me get in the best physical and also mental shape of my life.” Ashley says she would encourage any married woman to do this because it has been so fun for her.
“Sometimes as wives and mothers we forget to take time for ourselves because we’re so busy worrying about taking care of our spouses and children. This gave me the opportunity to do something that made me feel more confident. My husband and children also loved it because they loved to see me on stage,” says Ashley.
Ashley’s family was very proud of her. “My six year old son was the happiest of them all. He came racing out to me as soon as I pulled into the driveway Sunday and couldn’t wait to see the crown. It was too funny.”
Ashley closed by saying, “It has been a whole family deal, and I couldn’t be happier with the way things turned out.”
During her reign, Ashley plans to work closely with the Look Good Feel Better program. As a volunteer cosmetologist and area trainer for LGFB, she teaches female cancer patients how to cope with the physical and cosmetic side effects of treatments, as well as educating other cosmetologists on how to conduct patient workshops.
We are proud of Ashley and all her accomplishments thus far, and we wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors.
Barb Rice has loved music as far back as she can remember, and she notes that her long-term memory is still credible. Barb enjoys most types of music with the exception of rap, hip-hop, etc.
Barb says, “I have such an admiration for anyone who can write, play instruments, and sing. I’m almost jealous which isn’t exactly a trait I like in myself or in others.”
Barb believes music is a wonderful, joyous way to worship. Barb claims she can be a little “Methacoastal” when it comes to music; she explains that that’s a blend of Methodist/Pentecostal. She can hardly sit still at times when hearing the likes of Buddy Heaton, Geneva Accord, Debbie Stogsdill, Delissa Sitze, Mary Ruth Boone, Gayle Clippard, Rosemary Walker, Tony Thorn, Dale Williams, and Eric Pendergrass. All are great local artists.
Barb feels there are many more in our area who are talented with their varied instruments. Also, Barb feels we have awesome singers in this area. She mentions Maggie Thorn and family, Rebecca Northern, Cis William and Dale, members of Ringer Hill group. Barb says, “These are just a few of many that I am familiar with due to them singing at Trinity quite often.”
There is also music/musicians periodically at the nutrition centers in both Bloomfield and Dexter. “Even of the throes of whatever I may be experiencing at any particular time, music calms and speaks to my spirit. Both in joy and in sorrow,” Barb explains.
“A few months ago, I was invited to join a group that has brought me much joy, the Dexter Senior Choir.” Barb says to say that the group has been a blessing in her life would be putting it too mildly.
The Dexter Senior Choir consists of approximately twenty-five people. The youngest being in their early sixties, and the eldest being in their mid to late eighties. Among the group, there is one married couple, Bob and Barb Gillespie. Barb says the group has a couple more men, and most others are widowed.
Barb once heard someone say there were fourteen different churches represented in the choir.
The Dexter Senior Choir sings each Monday at 2:30 P.M. for an hour at Central Gardens assisted living facility in Dexter. Each Thursday at noon, the group performs at the Dexter Nutrition Center, and at 2:00 P.M. is alternated between Crowley Ridge, Golden Living Center, and Cypress Point.
The leaders of the choir are: Marida Atherton, director; and Geneva Acord, pianist.
The group sings out of hymnbooks such as Heavenly Highway, and the residents are always invited to select their favorite songs. “It is such a blessing to have the residents join us in song. At Central Gardens, a few of the residents join the choir, and many of them sing along.”
Barb says about the residents, “They’re always complimentary of our efforts. I have noted while singing at these facilities that even though some may have suffered the loss of memory, eyesight, and hearing, they can still recall every word of a hymn. There’s certainly a lesson in life here, or maybe a sermon in song.”
The choir has sung at various churches, revival meetings, bereavement services, and nutrition centers. Barb has a difficult time expressing how much joy the special group of friends brings to her. She says, “There are some awesome singers, soloists, even ‘scrap iron’ quartets that our leaders choose at random to sing together.”
When the choir isn’t making a joyful noise, or fails to sing from the heart, the leaders stop them and they do it again until they get it as close to right as possible.
“Anyone who knows these two ladies realizes their powerful witness for the Lord that has blessed them with such talent and ability which they freely offer back to Him. They remind me of the energizer bunny,” comments Barb on the two leaders.
Harold Zimmerman and Tom Arnold often assist with the music on their guitars as well as helping out with special music. Judy Acord sets up the equipment along with Sandee Durham, who keeps up with hymnals and sheet music. Mary Lou Northern often bakes cookies for the choir, something everyone eagerly appreciates.
“I would love to name each choir member, but fearful I would forget someone, I won’t make that attempt. I will just say that each person does a great job and has a special place in my heart,” Barb says compassionately.
Several of the group members close out their time of singing by gathering at one of the local fast food spots to eat, talk, laugh, and settle the world’s problems. Barb says the choir has had a positive effect on her life by ministering to others, and making friends with those who are also widowed or single.
Barb closes by saying, “Our goal in being choir members is to bring praise and glory to our Savior because without Him, none of us would be able to sing. We probably won’t be asked to sing on a Gaither video, but this group gets as much joy in the places we do sing as that would bring us. It’s the joyful noise that counts, and we do that part well!”
The Dexter Senior Choir invites anyone who would like to, to come out and join them anytime, anyplace. They would love to have you join them in making a joyful noise. Barb Rice guarantees a blessing.
Written by Zach Hedrick, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri - Celebrate Recovery (CR) is forming in Stoddard County once again. Living Water Worship Center in Bloomfield is launching this program on September 12th, 2012 and will hold a service for CR every Wednesday night at six o’clock.
Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-based program that helps you get over your “hurts, hang-ups, and habits”. Although it is similar to a twelve-step-program, the founder of CR believed that Alcoholics Anonymous was missing something: Jesus Christ. With services and minds centered on the Bible, CR has a success rate of nearly 85%.
Living Water Worship Center plans to reach out and touch many lives in the local area. The leader of this program is Bryan Gentry, a former member of Celebrate Recovery. He believes the program will be a great success and many lives will be changed.
“My wife, Tish, and I, are Ministry Leaders for Celebrate Recovery at Living Water Worship Center. CR is a Christ centered recovery program that helps people deal with and recover from all kinds of issues that make our lives become unmanageable,” Gentry explains. “Married for 28 years, Tish and I have always felt God's call on our lives to serve together in ministry. We had no idea that I would end up struggling with alcoholism that took our family to a very low place. Knowing God was the answer, He helped me make the decision to turn around. Celebrate Recovery and His Amazing Grace has kept me sober for three and a half years. God has given Tish and me the burden for others to find sobriety and healing for the entire family. With Celebrate Recovery, God will bring victory and healing for life's hurts, hang-ups and habits, including life controlling addictions.”
Living Water Worship Center reaches out helping hands to those lost or in need. With God’s grace and much needed support, many lives will be altered. Even those without “hurts, habits, or hang-ups” are welcomed and are offered a chance to have a closer walk with God.
Services will start on September 12th, beginning with Praise and Worship. Two different services will be held each night, one large group meeting and many smaller group meetings. Small group meetings are broken down into chemical dependency and life struggles, each lead by a different staff member of the church.
After services, members have a chance to get to know each other during fellowship at the Solid Rock Café, which will be held in the church’s fellowship hall. Small snacks and drinks will be served every Wednesday night. This allows members to talk one-on-one with other people or leaders, just in case they do not feel comfortable talking about certain topics in small group sessions.
CR also offers programs for the youth and kids. Teens and kids will both have their own groups and younger children will be taken care of in the nursery. The youth group leader, Josh Gilbert, is excited about the youth becoming part of this big change in the church.
“Celebrate Recovery isn't just a great program created to help those addicted to drugs or alcohol,” says Gilbert, “It's also a program to help and prepare teens for the world that lies ahead. Living Water Worship Center wanted to give our youth every opportunity to live their lives the way God intended. Our youth face challenges now at a younger age, and if the church can prepare or help them then that's what we're going to do. I'm excited to see what God has in store for us through this program.”
Article Written by
Jessica Snider SMT Writer
Eighty years ago a very special tradition began in Dexter, MO. The very first Miss Dexter pageant was held in 1932. As we’ve seen this weekend, this tradition is still going strong in the town of Dexter. People of all ages still anticipate this annual pageant.
Mary Ulen was part of the first Miss Dexter court. Mary was born in 1914 in Essex, MO. She then was raised in Dexter.
Mary couldn’t recall how many girls were in the pageant since it was eighty years ago, but she remembers being very excited. She was seventeen-years-old at the time of the pageant.
All the gowns worn by the first Miss Dexter court were borrowed. Mary says, “It was during the depression and no one had the money to buy one.”
Ms. Mary Ulen’s sister had a good job at the time of the pageant, and that is whom Mary borrowed her formal dress from. “The dress was Apricot Chiffon Velvet. It was very pretty,” Mary recalls of her dress worn in the pageant.
The above photo is the top five in the first Miss Dexter Pageant. Mary Ulen is pictured on the front row to the left.
Mary Ulen was not only a beauty queen, but was very athletic as well. Mary played basketball on her high school team and says she was a pretty good player and loved the sport. After Ms. Ulen started talking about her high school years she joked, “I majored in fun.”
Mary says, “We all need to have fun, but always be of service to others.”
Mary Ulen went to nursing school and then became a registered nurse. After becoming a registered nurse, Mary got a job working for Dr. Hoxie. Dr. Hoxie was an ear, nose, and throat specialist. His office was in Poplar Bluff, and Mary says she did everything in the office.
Mary Ulen is now ninety-eight years old and is still very active and witty. Mary has lived at Central Gardens Residential Care in Dexter for several years. When asked about living at Central Gardens, Mary says, “I’m right where I need to be. I love it here.”
The photo on the right is Ms. Ulen at age ninety-eight living at Central Gardens.
Ms. Ulen has had a good life with lots of ups and downs. She says we wouldn’t appreciate the ups if we didn’t have the downs.
Every evening before supper, Ms. Ulen is known to stand at her table and ask the blessing before partaking in the meal.
As seen in the photo, the style of dresses worn has changed quite a bit over the eighty-years, but the beauty remains throughout the years of each Miss Dexter pageant.
Around the middle of September, a new Medicare handbook will be mailed to everyone who is on Medicare. This book contains lots of information that can answer many of your questions about Medicare; what’s new, what Medicare covers and your Medicare rights.
You will remember that the open enrollment for prescription drug plans begins Oct. 15 and ends December 7. Sometime shortly before that you will receive information from your present plan telling you what the premium is changing to, what drugs will be covered during the coming year and what the deductible will be, if any.
After Jan. 1 we always have a few folks come into our office saying that they did not know that their premium was going to be so high, or that a particular drug that they take will not be covered. For many people, there is nothing we can do to help because the open enrollment has closed. So please watch your mail for any information from your drug plan because it could make a big difference in what you pay for medicine next year.
Once you check out what the new costs will be (as long as it’s before Dec.7) if you are not happy with what you learn be sure and contact us at the Southeast Missouri Area Agency for Aging at 1-800-392-8771. We will be happy to help you see if there is a better plan.
Please also remember open enrollment when people are looking at new drug plans is a very good time for the scam artist to kick into high gear. They may be calling you telling you they are from Medicare and need your personal information (They are not!) Medicare has all your personal information that they need. They may tell you they are from your insurance plan asking for personal information. (They are not!) Your insurance plan has all your personal information they need.
Don’t give people who call or come to your door uninvited any information, period. Let’s all band together to make it so hard for scam artists that they finally give up and have to go out and get a real job just like we have done all our life!
