By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

In Philadelphia, during the summer of 1776, Thomas Jefferson and four other delegates to the Second Continental Congress drafted and presented to the Congress America’s Declaration of Independence. As June turned into July, the Congress debated, voted upon and finally published what we today know as the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Americans are busy this week, preparing to celebrate the birthday of our nation. Barbecues, picnics, games, and of course fireworks are planned from “sea to shining sea” this weekend.

Celebration in Dexter

In Dexter, the city’s fireworks display will be the evening of Sunday, July 3. The fireworks display will begin after dusk (roughly 8:30 p.m.) in the East City Park. The fireworks display is being held on Sunday evening since most people will be returning to work on the morning of July 5.

Dexter City Administrator Mark Stidham said the fields at the Dexter Sports Complex will be roped off by the Fire Department for the event’s staging. A fire truck will be on hand as a safety precaution, Stidham said. The event is free and open to the public.

The City of Dexter has set July 3-4 for residents to shoot their personal fireworks. By ordinance, the shooting of fireworks is limited to just July 4, but was amended this year to include July 3 because of the city fireworks display, Stidham said. He urged residents to use caution and good sense when shooting fireworks.

‘Water is fine’ for holiday at Wappapello

The Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Wappappello is assuring families prior to the holiday that the “water is fine" at the regional lake. Contrary to some recent information, the water quality at the lake meets all health standards.

“Our waters are fine,” stated Operations Manager Cindy Jackson. “We tested the water to ensure its quality before opening any of our beaches.”

Jackson reports the water at Wappapello Lake is tested regularly regarding its quality, as the safety of visitors is of utmost importance. Rumors spread “like wildfire” this past weekend that Wappapello Lake was contaminated, which is simply not true, Jackson said.

“Your safety is our concern, a mandate we do not take lightly,” she said. “We invite everyone to celebrate Independence Day activities at Wappapello Lake on July 2 which includes Waterfest, magic shows and fireworks. Remember safety this holiday weekend, so buckle up. Life jackets and seat belts save lives.”

Gasoline Up, Travel Down

According to AAA, 39 million Americans are planning to travel this holiday weekend. While that is a lot of travelers, it’s down 2.5 percent from last year. Why? No surprise. It’s because of the high price of gasoline, which is up almost 33 percent from a year ago.

AAA reports the national average of regular unleaded is currently at $3.57 a gallon and $3.93 for a gallon of diesel. That is about a quarter a gallon savings from a month ago, though still up about $.80 from last year.

Local prices have also dropped in recent days, with the price hovering at $3.30 a gallon for regular unleaded. Last year at this time, gas was under $3.00 for regular unleaded.

Overall, 44 percent of travelers say rising gas prices will affect their travel plans, causing them to travel shorter distances, 'penny-pinch' in other ways or find alternative modes of transportation.

Even with the dropping prices, AAA predicts a million fewer people will travel for the Fourth of July weekend.

A SMT News Report

Drivers in Stoddard County should use caution when driving on Highway 25 between Dexter and Bloomfield.

Crews with the Missouri Department of Transportation will continue work this week on Highway 25. On Monday Morning, crews were working on the northbound lane just north of the Stoddard Street intersection in Dexter.

MoDOT officials urge caution as crews continue pavement repairs. Traffic may be reduced to one lane, and there are uneven lane cautions posted. Work is also scheduled this week on the southbound lanes of Highway 25.

The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

Weather permitting, crews will be working Monday through Thursday, June 30. Workers are slated to be on the job from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.

For additional information, contact the Missouri Department of Transportation's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held this week at The Boat House Wine Company near Bloomfield. On hand for celebration were (from left) Kevin Bishop of the Dexter Chamber, Chelsey Stoverink, Hilary Pyle, Lindley Duncan, owner David Duncan, partner Tom Ryan, Kenny Pope of the chamber, and Janet Coleman, chamber executive. The Boat House offers live music on the weekends and great food, dining over the water, cocktails and nature trails. Groups and parties may be booked by calling the Boat House at 722-3760 or Hilary at 614-1667. The Boat House is located on County Road 252 between Bloomfield and Advance. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

The Legendary Pizza Villa or "Terry Darcy's Secret Pizza Recipe" Lives On at Dexter Pizza Company

Many Dexter residents will be proud to know that the legacy of the Pizza Villa continues at the previous location on Business Highway 60 West. Opening last week under new ownership, the restaurant has been given a fresh renovation and was filled with customers enjoying a great salad bar, pizza buffet and orders from the menu.

The new owner, James Fowler, is a little too young to know the historical value of the Terry Darcy recipe used at his restaurant. As a DHS graduate in 2007, his memories will quickly run to Steve Comfort, Mike Reese and other previous owners that have held this tradition.

Specializing in Pizza, Pasta and Sandwiches, Dexter Pizza offers a quick, hot alternative to your noontime plans. The food and salad buffet is fully loaded with choices, including the dessert pizza of chocolate chip and apple.

The restaurants heritage dates back to the late 1970's when Terry and Nancy Darcy began to prepare pizza unlike anyone in the area. With a strong love for the local school and community, Terry and Nancy opened the restaurant much like one would open their home treating their guests like family.

The Pizza Villa was "the place" where many courtships started, many football games were watched and many friends were made. More than just a great place, the restaurant has excellent food and service. The wait staff called you by name and treated you like family.

Mr. and Mrs. Darcy raised a great family here in the Dexter community. His daughters, Ann and Elizabeth, were both very active in the Dexter Schools and his one son, Richard, was also an athlete and extremely active.

The Pizza Villa was the hang out for many of their friends "back in the day". Many times, Mr. Darcy would call a few young men by name himself, but that was to get them lined out and acting right in his restaurant.

Originally from the South, the Darcy's eventually returned home to Sheffield, Alabama near Florence.

Approximately 1997, Steve Comfort brought back the idea of that great Pizza Villa recipe. After a short conversation with Mr. Darcy, Steve graciously received the secrets of the master pizza chef.

As a celebration of a southern gentleman in Terry Darcy, we are excited that the tradition of Pizza Villa pizza continues with the work of James Fowler.

The crowds are already beginning to arrive to discover the facility renovation, great service and great food. The hours are 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM, Tuesday through Sunday.

Terry Crowley, along with his son Logan, are pictured here enjoying a great meal together on Thursday noon.

You can phone in your orders to 573.624.7499 and use their convenient drive thru window.

By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

Thailand, Mexico, Philippines, Africa, Great Britain, America, Mexico, Egypt … the youngsters at Story Hour at the Keller Public Library had an exciting, fun-filled whirlwind journey around the world Wednesday morning.

With hostess Jean “Mary Poppins” Rahm and her travel assistants. The youngsters sang songs, learned games, danced and shared an hour full of fun, books, and music.

Rahm’s energetic crew got things rolling as the youngsters arrived with lively music and dance - and set the tone for the hour.

A full house of youngsters, parents and friends filled the Community Room at the library for the annual summer reading program.

Burt Bacharach’s 1970s hit “What the World Needs Now Is Love” began the program, with the children repeating the chorus with Rahm and crew. The journey then set off around the world at a fast pace – from Africa to “high tea with the queen” in Great Britain, across the world to Thailand (Siam) with a song and dance about Siamese kittens, a dance ala Steve Martin about dancing like an Egyptian, and a song and game about the great African lion.

The youngsters listened to music, sang, listened to stories, clapped, played maracas for the Mexican Hat Dance, played games, and teamed up to transform Delisa Sitze and Rita LeBeau into “mummies.”

Just as the program Wednesday began with the children singing “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” it ended to them listening to the high school musician Brandon Moore play the Louie Armstrong classic, “What A Wonderful World” on the tenor sax.

The Story Hour theme this summer is “One World, Many Stories.” The summer program will continue next Wednesday, June 29. The Story Hour is held from 11-12 p.m. in the Community Room at Keller Public Library, is free and open to the public.

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