Music students in the choral and band programs at Dexter High School participated this weekend at the District Music Contest on the campus of Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff. A total of nine vocal soloists, five ensembles and two piano solos and one violin solo from the choral program received I ratings. A senior madrigal (above) was one of a number of ensembles and soloists who received top I ratings and are now eligible to participate in the Missouri State Music Contest at the University of Missouri - Columbia April 29-30. Ensemble members include (seated, from left) Jessica Lesley, Lauren Powers, Malinda Mayo and Meghan Roberts; (back row, from left) Nate Watkins, Ben Rodgers, Taylor Jarrell and Brandon Sindle. Additional photos of all the ensembles and soloists from the choirs and band will be published later this week in the ShowMe Times. Congratulations to all the students for outstanding performances! (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

A ShowMe Times Report

DNA testing of hair left on a fence positively identifies a cougar. WEST PLAINS – A tuft of hair left on a fence in Oregon County March 9 definitely belongs to a mountain lion, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

MDC Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer today released results of a DNA test on hair taken from a fence along Highway M, near the community of Rover. Beringer said Conservation Agent Jerry Elliott retrieved the hair after receiving a report form an area resident who saw the cougar run across the road.

The man told Elliott that a full-grown mountain lion ran across the road in front of him and got its hind leg caught as it attempted to jump a fence on the opposite side of the road. He said the animal struggled briefly before it escaped, leaving a tuft of hair the size of a cotton ball in the top strand of the barbwire fence.

When he arrived at the scene, Elliott placed the hair in an evidence bag. Subsequent testing at the University of Missouri positively identified the hair as coming from a mountain lion, Puma concolor.

Beringer said the University’s laboratory does not have adequate reference material to evaluate the cat’s possible relationship to mountain lions from different geographic areas.

“We want to find out as much as possible about where the animal might have come from,” said Beringer, “so we will send the remaining hair sample to a genetics lab in Montana to determine the cat’s likely origin.”

Beringer said that testing could take several weeks to months. This is the sixth verified mountain lion sighting in Missouri since late November and the 16th in modern times. In cases where carcasses have been available for examination, most have been young males. Young male mountain lions go in search of new territories when they mature. Beringer said MDC has no evidence to suggest that a breeding population of mountain lions exists in Missouri.

Mountain lions, also called cougars, panthers and pumas, were present in Missouri before pioneer settlement. The last documented Missouri mountain lion was killed in the Bootheel in 1927. The closest populations of mountain lions to Missouri are in South Dakota and a small population in northwest Nebraska. Beringer said that MDC has never stocked or released mountain lions in Missouri and has no plans to do so.

To report a sighting, physical evidence or other mountain-lion incident, contact a local MDC office or conservation agent, or email the Mountain Lion Response Team at mountain.lion@mdc.mo.gov.

There have been no confirmed cases in Missouri of mountain lions attacking people, pets or livestock in modern times.

For more information on mountain lions in Missouri, visit www.MissouriConservation.org and search “mountain lion.”

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

Every summer they descend upon the Keller Public Library like moths to a flame.

Each week they have so much fun, they forget about the fact they might be reading or learning – because the light that attracts them makes it all so darn much fun. And the light that makes it all possible is a spunky, fun-loving, vivacious woman named Jean Rahm.

Jean Rahm has help direct, organize and energize the Summer Reading Program at the local public library – bringing dozens and dozens of kids every summer. And her wit and energy and love of children make it all a smashing success.

Rahm was honored as the Friend of the Year from the Friends of the Library organization. The award was presented during the Friends’ annual Fashion Show and was presented by Library Director Pam Trammell – with the able assistance of four handsome young men who had once been students in her music classroom at Central Elementary School.

“They come from far and wide – the young and not-so-young. Newborns, toddlers and teens. Mother, Grandmother, and Aunt Fern from Florida, all who may pretend to be accompanying the children, but who secretly can’t wait for the production about to begin,” Trammell said in her introduction of Rahm.

She described the excitement that kids – and adults – share each summer at the library.

"Their excitement builds as they approach the room, because the upbeat tempo of the contagious music reaches their ears long before the door opens to reveal an ordinary room that has been transformed into a fantasy wonderland. Jaws drop and kids squeal,” she said. “The ringmaster enters, unrecognizable in her costume, but unmistakable by her energy, her infectious laugh and her gaggle of talented and willing volunteers and an ever-changing smattering of grandchildren, all eager to please her.”

Rahm has given of her many talents – and considerable time and energy – each summer for the young people’s reading program. The children pack into the library for the fun and action and excitement, and in the process they learn the rewards found in just reading a book.

The retired elementary music teacher had no idea when she went to the Fashion Show that she would share the spotlight. Her good friend Janice Barney convinced her to attend the show without sharing a word about the surprise. As Trammell gave her introduction, four young men rather stealthily made their way to the back of the room.

After the announcement of Rahm’s award was made and the crowd was on their feet applauding, Nate Watkins, Ben Rodgers, Jacob Bollinger and Drew Mason escorted their former music teacher to the podium (all four have put those early music lessons in Rahm’s classroom to good use and are today all members of the DHS Chamber Choir).

“She shares her talent community-wide, delivering a literacy program through music, animation, games, make believe, and always, always lots of fun,” Trammell said.

Rahm’s vivacious and energetic nature was evident as she was escorted down the Fashion Show runway. Not one to just walk with she can skip, Rahm took Nate Watkins on the ‘walk’ of his life – skipping down the runway and swinging around a full speed at the end of the walkway!

“You could sum her up in this way: She simply loves children, and has never lost the ability to see the world through their eyes,” Trammell said. That’s a rare gift.”

ShowMe Times Photo Gallery

When three high school classmates and one daughter travel together in California ... there's no telling what could happen. That was the case last week when DHS Classmates and longtime friends Toni Taylor Pyle, Nancy Tuley Mayer, Renee Hedrick Sauvaget along with Toni's daughter Caitlin, travelled together along the California coast. While in Los Angeles the ladies were able to attend the taping of the ABC show "The Batchelor" - for the crucial "Rose Ceremony" that aired this week. And as the camera panned the audience, there was the Dexter quartet, (above) Toni, Nancy, Renee and Caitlin. What a great experience! (ShowMe Times illustration)

Dexter's own Candy Coburn (front row, center) was the special guest recently for the Missouri State University Lady Bears' Pink Zone against Creighton. The Lady Bears and Coburn donned pink uniforms and apparel to mark the special game to mark breast cancer awareness.

Coburn has a partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, sharing in Komen’s promise of creating a world without breast cancer and she is committed to raising awareness among her fans of the ongoing fight to end breast cancer forever.

In addition, 100 percent of all artist and producer proceeds from “Pink Warrior,” an anthem for anyone who is in the fight against cancer and available for download at iTunes, will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 100 percent of all artist and producer proceeds from “Pink Warrior,” an anthem for anyone who is in the fight against cancer and available for download at iTunes, will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

For more information on Candy Coburn, or to download “Pink Warrior”, visit www.CandyCoburn.com.

Coburn performed the National Anthem prior to the contest, as well as her single "Pink Warrior" at the halftime.