By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

The sunshine was beaming down, there was a cool breeze, and all-in-all it was a beautiful spring day – a great day for the annual Goodwill Games in Dexter!

The Goodwill Games is an annual springtime tradition for special needs students from the Dexter, Bloomfield and Bernie schools. In its 16th year, the games offers students with special needs the fun, adventure and friendships from athletic competition. Teachers help prepare the students for the day at the Charles Bland Stadium at Dexter High School, but it is a special group of DHS students who but the extra special touch to the Stoddard County event.

“The Cadet Teachers are the ones that help make this happen,” Dr. Kim Flowers, assistant superintendent of Dexter Schools and the coordinator of the event said. The high school students work one-on-one with the student athletes, serves as run with the athletes – and encourage, “pump them up,” help and celebrate with the special needs students.

The thrill of crossing the finish line is evident in the smiles on both the student athlete and the high school Cadet Teachers. A unique bond develops between the athletes and the high school seniors.

The folks in the stands get into the thrill of the Goodwill Games, too, encouraging and praising the student athletes for a job well done.

After all the races have been won and all the ribbons distributed, everyone climbs onto school buses for the short drive to the Dexter Elks Lodge. Every year the Elks host the Special Olympians, teachers, aides and Cadet Teachers for a picnic lunch – complete with hot dogs, hamburgers and all the “fixins.”

Flowers introduced the Elks members on hand to the Goodwill Games crew, and the Elks received a rousing ovation from all for their loyalty, dedication – and good cooking!

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They have graded untold exams and worksheets. Read papers, prepared bulletin boards, developed lesson plans and written reports, attended special programs, sporting events and directed concerts – and along the way taught valuable life lessons to students big and small.

And now, it is a time for a new beginning – a new era. And to celebrate their transition into “retired teachers” the Dexter Community Teachers Association wants to honor and celebrate the careers of nine educators.

The Dexter CTA will host a Retirement Tea on Thursday, May 12, to honor nine teachers:

• Jackie Asberry
• Kaye Blankenship
• MaryRuth Boone
• Chris Hillis
• Joanne Mangum
• Bryce Matthews
• Karen Pippins
• Mary Ann Simmons
• Teresa Wray
The Tea will be held from 4-5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 12 in the lobby of the Bearcat Event Center on Grant Street. The public is invited to attend and congratulate the retirees and wish them well in future endeavors.

WHAT: Retirement Tea
WHEN: Thursday, May 12
TIME: 4-5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Bearcat Event Center

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Genealogy has grown in recently years, in part thanks to the availability of information thanks to the Internet.

Keller Public Library in Dexter will host a Genealogy Workshop on Saturday, May 7 that will help those interested in the study of their family’s history and want to know where to search and what doors to open.

The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the library at the corner of Grant and Park Lane in Dexter. The Stoddard County Genealogy Society in conjunction with Keller Library will sponsor the workshop. Volunteers from the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will also be on hand to assist participants.

Library Director Pam Trammell is proud of the Genealogy Room at Keller, and rightfully so. The room is packed with books, journals and materials that can help someone track down a family’s history.

“We have this room thanks to the support of the Genealogy Society,” she said as she scanned the room. “They have worked hard to make this an outstanding resource.”

Genealogy Society president Lyndel Revelle said the workshop is designed to help people learn more about the search for family history, the resources that are available, and to offer a glimpse into how modern technology can aide in genealogy searches.

Revelle added that pre-registration for Saturday’s event is requested to ensure adequate materials. Lunch is will up to individual participants. A $5 charge for the workshop will cover the cost of materials.

Individuals may register by contacting Revelle at lwr51@dexter.net; Frances Moore at fmoore@logonbasic.com; or Keller Library at kellerpl@yahoo.com or call 573.624.3764.


Photo Above: Keller Public Library Director Pam Trammell and Stoddard County Genealogy President Lyndel Revelle look at one of the new acquisitions in the Genealogy Room at the library.

WHAT: Genealogy Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, May 6

TIME: 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

WHERE: Keller Public Library, 402 Grant Street, Dexter

The students at Southwest Elementary School in Dexter had a fun time before the Easter holiday with a traditional Easter Egg Hunt. Students in all three grades - kindergarten, first grade, and second grade - had their own hunt for the brightly colored eggs. Three prize eggs were hidden in each grade. Winners of the prize eggs in Kindergarten were (front row, from left) Cole Asher, Dawson Jones and Myles Keena; first grade winners were (second row, from left to right) Alex Dugan, Emily Smith, and Bryson Wick; and second grade (front row, from left to right) Alex Townsend, Jacob Medler and Tara Williams. The Southwest Elementary PTO provided Wal-Mart gift cards for all the winners in the three grades. Thanks to Peg Rogers for the photos and to Suzanne Collier, Southwest PTO president!

It's too easy to sit around and wonder "What Can We Do To Help?".

Debbie Stidham and a team from County Wide Insurance Agency found a way to get involved with local flood victims and put the CWI Trick or Treat Bags into action. Collecting donations from all CWI team members and a matching donation from the agency, Debbie organized and packed bags for those facing tough times from the rising flood waters.

A quick shopping trip later, Leigh Ann Kincy, Marla Buchanan, Wes Howard, Jason Comfort and others helped Debbie fill the bags full of hygiene supplies. The bags were loaded up and delivered to the Lighthouse Christian Center for distribution.

Lighthouse Christian Center is the Official distribution center for the American Red Cross. Many members of the Church are serving others by housing area residents displaced from their homes as well as assisting in the distribution of needed items.

First Baptist Church has also sprung into action during this time of need through their Mission Team group. Headed up by Carolyn Rowland, they are providing meals to those the Advance Shelter feeding over 60 people that are residing in that location.

CURRENT AMERICAN RED CROSS NEEDS ARE: Hygiene Items, Diapers (Large), Undergarments (men & ladies), Perishable & Nonperishable Foods. There is also a urgent need for cash donations. You can make your check payable to the American Red Cross.

They say that in times of trouble, people truly step up to help their neighbors. We are seeing that proven each and every day throughout the flooding of our communities. If you know of a business or someone that deserves recognition for their community service, please email news@showmetimes.com or call the News Hotline at 573.624.7436. The ShowMe Times would be happy to highlight these acts of kindness to others.