By User Submitted

Spring Break always brings thoughts of fun in the sun, but a local group from Dexter got together recently for a Wild Road Trip to the Mountains of Colorado. This was a fast trip organized by Greg McGhee at First Baptist Church for both youth group members as well as others from the community that simply love to ski.

With the scheduled departure time at 4 p.m. on Thursday Feb. 17, a group of 30-plus adults and young people loaded their bags and warm clothes for the long trek to Keystone Mountain. It was an all night drive with fuel stops and bathroom breaks. With good weather and clear roads, the group arrived on the mountain around 10 a.m. the next morning and immediately grabbed their rental equipment and hit the slopes.

The group enjoyed three full days of skiing the slopes of Keystone, some even going back in the evening for night skiing. The group found themselves well served by a team of cooks led by Sabrina Allison. There is nothing greater than a warm breakfast in the morning and a hot bowl of chili to warm you up after a great day of skiing.

Fresh Snow!

The greatest hope of those that ski is “Fresh Snow”! The group was very fortunate to have great weather and fresh snow two of three days they were on the mountain. The groups ranged from expert skiers to first timers. Everyone formed groups that matched their own level and ability to handle the slopes. Some groups immediately went to the bunny slopes to learn the techniques of skiing and some went straight to the Blue & Black slopes.

During the evening, the group would come together for a time of reflection and Bible study. Brad Wilson, the youth pastor of Minor Baptist Church in Sikeston, was the host leader for the Bible Study time. Brad shared with the group two inspiring messages about being an encourager among others and the strength of those that bind together for a common good causes.

Completely worn to a frazzle, the group loaded on the bus after a full day of skiing on Sunday for the long trip back to Missouri. The trip home became a little more exciting as the bus found some mechanical difficulty around Lawrence, Kans.

The group was able to work together through the adversities of a flat tire and oil loss to almost get back to Dexter. “Almost’ means that the bus finally gave up at the foot of the Dexter hill just below the Lighthouse Church at Hwy 25 and Hwy 60. The group was transferred back to the church via vans and parents to end the 29 hour endurance trip home.

Overall, no one wants to have troubles on a trip that is designed for fun. But the end result for this trip was a memory that will not soon be forgotten. A few injuries, a few mechanical problems and even the long,long trip didn’t squash the enthusiasm for the skiing.

Advserity Into A Blessing

“The story of the ski trip is the adversity that turned into a blessing,” said Greg McGhee. “Most already know how the engine blew in Lawrence, KS, causing us to have to frantically search the countryside fro 42 gallons of oil to limp home on. We had to stop every 40 miles to put oil in the bus, which was using it at a clip of 1 gallon per 13 miles traveled. That on top of the 5 MPGs we were getting on fuel.” McGhee said he had that it cost the group $1.53 per mile to get back to Dexter!

In addition, Denny Putnam broke his ankle skiing, and so was only able to drive the bus only two hours of the 30-hour trip back to Missouri.

And even more important, during the many unscheduled mechanical stops the group was able to find some pretty special moments to share and talk with people along the way. Some people were down on their luck and others just needed a little encouragement. Other people were simply kind and wanting to provide a blessing to the Ski Trip travelers.

One special person brought impact to Pastor Steve Easterwood and the entire group when the bus found a flat just South of St. Louis. As they pulled into the parking lot, there was only one car around but that car belonged to Billy "The Tire Man". Pastor Steve will share this story in his Sunday sermon this week and added "That after meeting Billy, now I know why we had all this trouble (on the trip home)."

A special thanks should be given to those that organized and volunteered to make this trip possible for those in our community. Nothing just happens, but it occurs by the hard work and dedication of the few so the many can enjoy great times such as these.

By Annabeth Miller, ShowMe Times Editor

Determination. Discipline. Dedication. Disciple.

Those four words go a long way to paint a portrait of Glen Johnson. The young man with roots planted in Dexter, goes through life with a smile on his face and a faith that defines his life – on and off the football field.

After a standout career on the football field as a Dexter Bearcat, Johnson traded his ‘red and black’ for the ‘purple and white’ of the Bearcats at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. Now in the spring of his junior year at SBU, Johnson is looking forward to running back on the field next fall as a leader on and off the field.

He is dedicated to his sport – even completing a strenuous physical workout regimen during Christmas break when many college students rest, sleep late, and enjoy some time away from college tasks. But Johnson spent hours each day working out – all with a goal to become strong, faster, more physically ready for another year on the football field for SBU and being a better athlete.

“Success comes before work only in the dictionary,” he grins as he repeats one of his favorite sayings.

Dexter Red & Black

But a lot of who Glen Johnson is can be found back in his hometown of Dexter – the place where he first played football – the place where he says his best football memories originate.

“My best memories of playing football were of playing next to my friends – who were brothers to me – on Friday nights,” he said with enthusiasm. “I would say that is the biggest difference between college and high school. You play in college with a bunch of studs from all over the country who you don’t know. In high school you are playing with the guys you grew up with.”

But Johnson is also a leader off the field, heading three different student groups on the SBU campus. And that’s where his discipleship comes into clear view.

Discipleship In Focus

Active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes when he was a Dexter Bearcat, Johnson was surprised to arrive in Bolivar and not find a FCA group on campus. Things have now changed.

“I am now the president, and it was non-existent on our campus when I got the torch passed to me,” he said. Now the group has 30-50 students every Monday night. In addition to FCA, Johnson started a group for guys at SBU, called “Guys Only,” that meets right after FCA.

“It’s just for the fellas and we just talk about God’s calling in our life to be spiritual leaders and what it takes to do that,” he said. “We tackle the hard stuff in our life - stuff that is real in our lives – and we help each other conquer that.”

The third group was started last year is called One16. The group’s name is based on Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

“This is a campus-wide Bible study that has just exploded,” he said with excitement. The co-ed group boasts 40 or more students each week.

“We talk about real issues, too, but we have the ladies around so our focus isn’t solely on guy talk, but relationships and just growing in our relationship with Christ,” he explained. “Faith is slavery – it’s a relationship that has its ups and downs. His timing is perfect, and in the mean time I live by Colossians 3:23 – ‘Work hard and cheerfully, as if you were working for Christ and not for people.’”

Mentors Who Inspire

Johnson’s road seems to always lead back to Dexter. The lessons learned as a young kid on the field at Bland Stadium, the weight room and classrooms at DHS, and in the community were all made possible because of a crew of mentors.

“It all really started with mentors in my life,” he said. He credits four men for playing those key roles: Coach Aaron Pixley, Alan Hedrick, Scott Northcutt and Brett Dorton. And it is their influence that inspires Johnson to give back to the community – to help with football clinics, to serve as a mentor himself during Disciple Now, to encourage and teach another generation.

“They had an interest in my life. ‘Coach Pix’ encouraged me to be a good person, Hedrick gave me the confidence to chase my dreams, Northcutt taught about being a servant, and Dorton the importance of being a spiritual leader,” he said. “How could I not want to give back?”

That giving is obvious when you watch Johnson with young kids who just seem to naturally gravitate to him. And when he was back in town for Disciple Now earlier this winter, he threw himself into activities 150 percent – down on the floor encouraging young boys to do their best, playing basketball, running races and being a role model for younger boys – always working hard and giving much.

“I want to give back to the programs and the community that gave so much to me when I was growing up,” he said.

Johnson is getting to that point in a college student’s life when important life decisions are made – career, family, goals. And there his dedication, determination, disciple and discipleship and come together.

“I have felt called into Education for a long time - coaching football and I really want to teach weightlifting, life fitness and health because I am very passionate about fitness,” he said. “I have been blessed with opportunities to reach guys of all ages through athletics. I feel like Education is about developing the student morally and helping them appreciate education and make it a “get to” and not a “have to.”

Determination. Discipline. Dedication. Disciple. But there is a fifth ‘D’ for Glen Johnson: Dexter.

“I love Dexter – it will always be home. I will always bleed red and black!”

Photos above
Top Photo: Glen Johnson is always a Bearcat at heart! After wearing Bearcat Red & Black at DHS in high school, Johnson now puts on Bearcat Purple & White at Southeast Baptist University.
Middle Photo: Johnson and his teammates prepare for a game at SBU in Bolivar.
Bottom Photo: Johnson and one of his biggest fans, young Carter Dorton, son of Brett and Christy Dorton of Dexter.

Singing From The Heart

Jessica Lesley of Dexter was recently selected as the "top vocalist" at the Music Festival sponsored by the Encore Federated Music Club. The festival includes students from throughout Southeast Missouri, including Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Dexter. The festival was held in February on the River Campus of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. She now has the opportunity to compete on a state level with the Missouri Federated Music Clubs at the group's annual convention in Branson in May. Jessica is a senior at Dexter High School, a member of the DHS Chamber Choir and Dexter Show Choir, and is a private voice student of MaryRuth Boone. She plans to attend Southeast Missouri State after graduating and pursue a degree in music. She is the daughter of Jeff Lesley and Dawn Dowdy of Dexter. (ShowMe Times photo by Annabeth Miller)

By Annabeth Miller, ShowMe Times Editor

For nearly 30 years there has been friendship, fun times, achievements, and dedication within the Dexter High School Choirs. And now, as she prepares to step down and retire after a highly successful career, MaryRuth Boone’s students have something they would like to say to the DHS choral music director: Thank you.

To mark her years of service to the school district and community, a special tribute is being planned to honor Boone and the choral music program she shaped and led for 30 years in Dexter.

A special DHS Choir Alumni Reunion Weekend is planned for Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-29. The weekend will be a time for former and current Dexter High School choir students to gather back together to pay tribute to their former choir director and to do that thing that she taught them – sing!

A DHS Choir alumnus Eric Mathis is spearheading this effort along with a committee of individuals in the community. According to Mathis, the weekend’s focus will be the formation of an alumni choir – a large multi-generational chorus of Boone’s students.

“Given the decline of music and arts education programs in public schools systems across the country, Dexter is fortunate to have a music educator like Mrs. Boone who has maintained a choral program in the junior and senior high schools for 30 years,” Mathis said. “We need to celebrate this tradition. This is an event that no one will want to miss!”

Mathis and the planning committee announced plans for the weekend prior to the Christmas holiday on Facebook, the Internet social networking site. To date more than 110 people have sent word through Facebook that they plan to attend. But the committee is wanted spread the word to even more DHS Choirs alums.

To assist in the effort and to help alumni register for the event, Mathis has established a website, http://www.dexterchoir.com. The site contains information on the weekend as well as online registration and a place for alumni to post favorite stories and memories of their time in Boone’s choirs.

The alumni weekend will include a day full of rehearsals and old friends seeing one another on Saturday, and a second day that will feature the hallmark of the weekend – a special concert with the combine voices of the Alumni Choir.

“We will save plenty of time for everyone to reminisce, pay tribute to Mrs. Boone, and wish her well in future endeavors. This will also be a great opportunity for everyone to connect with former music friends,” Mathis said.

The schedule for the weekend calls for the alumni to gather on Saturday morning at the First United Methodist Church for a day of rehearsals. Time will be allotted for full choir rehearsals as well as sectional rehearsals. There will also be time for small groups to rehearse if they desire. At noon on Saturday the choir will share a lunch of Boone, her husband Bill, and children Andrew and Afton (who will be members of the Alumni Choir).

On Sunday morning choir members will have the opportunity attend worship services at Boone’s church home, First United Methodist Church, and present the special music for the morning’s worship service.

That afternoon, the choir will gather at Dexter’s First Baptist Church for a dress rehearsal and then a public concert in the church’s Worship Center. A reception honoring Boone will follow the 3 p.m. concert, and the public is invited to attend the concert and reception.

Planning Committee member Mark Snider said the weekend is, of course, no longer a complete surprise for Boone.

“MaryRuth has asked that she be able to ‘relax and enjoy’ the weekend, so the musical leadership for this event is falling in the hands of the next generation,” Snider said. “Eric Mathis will be directing the mass choir during the concert, and Delisa Stites has agreed to accompany the choir on the piano. This is going to truly be a time for everyone to sit back and enjoy the musical tradition MaryRuth has established in our community.”

Through her 30-year tenure at Dexter High School Boone’s choirs and choral students have consistently received top state ratings at Missouri State Music Contest, have sung at the Missouri Governor’s Inaugural in 2005, and an ensemble from the Chamber Choir sang during opening ceremonies last month for Opening Day Ceremonies for the Missouri State Senate in Jefferson City.

Choirs have performed in the historic Church of St. Mary Aldermanbury at Westminster College, in the St. Louis Cathedral, and presented each the Christmas season tradition of the DHS Choirs Madrigal Feast as well as each spring's annual Pop Concert.

In 2005 she led a group of choral students on a concert tour of England, and the Dexter Show Choir has been invited to perform at Disneyworld and performed in Branson, Chicago, New Orleans and this June will perform in New York City.

Boone was recently honored by the Dexter Chamber of Commerce as the Educator of the Year and was recognized in January for her service to music education in the state by the Missouri Music Educators Association.

Photo above
MaryRuth Boone (center) received the Educator of the Year honors from the Dexter Chamber of Commerce. On hand from the presentation were (from left) State Rep. Billy Pat Wright, Boone, State Senator Rob Mayer, and Chamber Board Member Dana Adams.
Photo Gallery
A selection of photos from the DHS Choirs in recently years.



The address for the DHS Choir Alumni Weekend is http://www.dexterchoir.com.

The Facebook event page is "DHS Choir Alumni Weekend Reunion."

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

West Palm Beach, Florida Feb 13, 2011 Whenever a youngster begins to play a sport, a common dream for many is to go on to play at the professional level. A young Dexter man has taken the first step in realizing that dream.

Sawyer Smith, 19, is a 2010 graduate of Dexter High School and the son of Kip and Pam Smith and is playing baseball at the collegiate level.

“I’ve been playing baseball for as long as I can remember. I started out playing seriously on some traveling teams when I was 13 or 14,” said Smith, “and I moved into Babe Ruth league when I was 15. The team I was on won state [championships] twice.”

Smith grew up playing the sport on league and traveling teams. In addition, he learned much about the game-and life-from his mom’s father, the late Jack Overby of Newbern, Tenn. ‘Papa Jack’ mentored a young Smith, giving him tips, advice, and support in life and sports.

Smith had an outstanding high school career for the Bearcats, starting several games his sophomore year and becoming an everyday starter in his junior and senior years. “I played the corners [1st and 3rd Base] my sophomore year, and rotated between that and catching my junior year.”

Smith plays at Palm Beach Atlantic University, a NCAA Division II school located in West Palm Beach, Fla. Coming out of high school, Smith had offers from many schools spanning all levels of collegiate baseball. He cited Arkansas State University, the University of Tennessee-Martin, Austin Peay State University, the University of North Dakota, and Palm Beach Atlantic as his top five schools after he had narrowed his choices down.

“My family and I decided that a four-year NCAA school would best fit me.  I wanted to play at the highest level possible; somewhere that I would have the best opportunity to play and have growth as an athlete, student, and person,” Smith said. “It was hard to turn down a Division I offer, but Palm Beach Atlantic fit all the criteria; I loved every bit of my visit and I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.”

PBAU assistant baseball coach Ryan Holmes said the university was looking for a strong catcher that would get stronger with both age and experience.

“What led us to recruit Sawyer was we were looking for a catcher for our 2010 recruiting class and Sawyer was a kid we could project to get stronger as he physically matures; he already possessed good size at six-foot four and 210 pounds,” Holmes said.  “He has an above average arm and in high school showed the ability to project as a power hitting prospect with his swing. His versatility was also a big factor.”

Smith also has a very rare opportunity being a catcher at PBAU - his head coach is Gary ‘the Kid’ Carter. Carter had an 18 year Major League Baseball career, and played catcher for the Montreal Expos, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He was an 11-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, three-time Gold Glove winner, and 1986 World Series Champion with the Mets. Carter was inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY in 2003.

“I’m very blessed with the opportunity; its unbelievable,” Smith continued. “I never thought that I’d have a chance like this. He’s as good of a person and coach as he was a player. ‘The Kid’ doesn’t mess around when it comes down to business. He does so much for us, opens up a lot of doors to help us succeed and advance as players.”

Smith said Carter works closely with the team’s catchers and he has taken advantage of the opportunity.

“I’ve picked his brain a lot. I’ve got a great relationship with him; it’s not every day that you get to talk to a baseball legend about how to improve your game,” he commented.

Smith was adamant in his praise for the entire PBAU coaching staff, as well as his teammates.

“Again, I’m very blessed to be surrounded by such great people. The assistant coaches and trainers here at the ‘U’ are great; everyone here has your back,” Smith said.“We’re a family, and stick together no matter what. I think our chemistry as a team will help carry us and make a big difference in our season.”

Holmes praised the Dexter native and said Smith will see some action this season.

“He is battling to be our backup catcher as a true freshman and will get some meaningful playing time this year,” Holmes continued.  “In college baseball you need two good catchers to get through the season; we are mostly playing five games a week, and usually play a three game series on Friday night followed by a doubleheader on Saturday.”

Smith has always been enthusiastic about the game, and being able to play at the collegiate level has done nothing but make his love for the game grow.

“As a freshman, I’m not a starter, but I will get in there quite a bit,” Smith said. “I’ll probably catch the tail-ends of doubleheaders on the weekends, and the occasional mid-week game,” he said. “I actually made my debut Saturday [Feb. 5] at Northwood University. I caught the second game of a doubleheader, and we won 4-2.”

According to Holmes, Smith could potentially have the opportunity to play at the professional level.

“Sawyer has the size that professional scouts look for. With hard work and continued development, you never know what could happen beyond the collegiate level.”

Smith conceded that professional baseball was always tucked away in the back of his mind. Even after being contacted by a few professional scouts while still at DHS, Smith and his parents decided that college was the better all-around option.

“It was rough at first, and I still have a lot of room to improve,” Smith said on his transition to catcher. “I feel like its the toughest position on the diamond.”

Smith said the catcher controls the tempo of the game, and has to mentally and physically stay in control. But he has never completely let go of playing at first or third base.

“I’ve never completely let the corners go,” he commented. “I still take reps to keep me versatile. Who knows-maybe one day I’ll wind up back there.”

Despite all of the praise from coaches and achievements throughout his baseball career, Smith still stays a very driven, humble young man. For the boy who began Little League on the fields in Dexter, to learning the love of the game from his ‘Papa Jack’ to the high school standout - he has come a long way while keeping his roots.

“Its my love of the game. I’ve played it for as long as I can remember, and its always been my favorite sport,” he said. “I love this game and I’ll keep playing it as long as I am able to. However, I do it all to glorify Christ, and I give all the credit to Him, as well as my family, for giving me all these amazing opportunities.”