The launch of the space shuttle Atlantis Friday morning, a final chapter in America’s space flight program draws to and end. And one of the crew members has a close tie to the Show Me State.

NASA Astronaut Sandra Magnus is a graduate of Missouri S &T at Rolla and is one of the quartet of astronauts on the historic space shuttle flight.

Atlantis rocketed into orbit Friday at 11:29 a.m. EDT and is flying at 17,500 mph around the Earth. The mission, STS-135, will catch up with the International Space Station in two days.

"It will only take about 8.5 minutes to get into our initial orbit," says NASA Astronaut Sandra Magnus. "But it's an exciting 8.5 minutes!"

During their 12-day mission, Ferguson and his three crewmembers — Mangus and fellow veteran astronauts Doug Hurley and Rex Walheim — plan to wrap up construction of the space station.

They’ll deliver a new room crammed with a year’s worth of food, water and other supplies and perform suite of experiments in orbit, including the test of a bag able to recycle urine and a space-based iPhone application.

The mission is scheduled to last 12 days. They are expected to land July 20 at 7:06 a.m. EDT.

At S&T, where she played soccer, Magnus earned a bachelor's degree in physics in 1986 and a master's degree in electrical engineering in 1990. She also holds a doctorate from Georgia Tech.

Magnus was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1996. She flew her first mission in 2002. A native of Belleville, Ill., she recently told her hometown Illinois newspaper: "Atlantis was the first one I ever flew on, and now it will be my last mission as well. So it holds a special place in my heart."

The other vehicles in NASA's shuttle program, which is being discontinued after 30 years, have already been retired. The crew of the last mission is being limited to four people, instead of the usual six astronauts, because if something goes wrong, Russian crews will eventually have to bring them back to Earth from the ISS.

In 2008-2009, Magnus spent more than four months at the space station, traveling 50,304,000 miles. While living on the ISS, she blogged for a site called spacebook.mst.edu, which was hosted by Missouri S&T. In addition to addressing various issues about life in orbit, she answered questions posed by grade school kids on the blog.

Magnus is somewhat famous for her hair, which, when unencumbered, floats impressively in zero-gravity. During a 2009 phone call to the ISS, President Obama asked her if she had ever thought of getting it cut. When Magnus said no, Obama replied that it was "quite a fashion statement."

Photos Above: The crew of the Atlantis Rex Walheim, Chris Ferguson, Sandy Magnus and Doug Hurley; the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the launch pad on Thursday.

By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

They made giraffes and dragons, visors for their great adventure and had their faces decorated their journey.

A large crowd of youngsters and adults - 142 to be exact - participated in the fourth week of the Summer Reading Program at Keller Library. This week was Craft Week, with the youngsters visiting different craft tables and completing projects with the help of library volunteers.

With the help of Janet Coleman, the young “travelers” readied themselves for their journey with face painting; they crafted visors to shade their eyes from the sun; Marty Thompson helped kids make a puppet of one of the favorite animals on the African continents – the giraffe; they painted and they colored the Olympic emblem.

The highlight for many (if not most) was crafting a very special project – their own ice cream sundae. With the help of Keller Library Director Pam Trammell, the young (and young at heart) got to craft their own unique ice cream creation – complete with cherries, crushed cookies, whipped cream (two flavors!), mini marshmallows, and the all-important sprinkles.

This Wednesday’s program was the fourth in the six-week program. Trammell reported the annual summer reading experience has been averaging 152 each week. Next Wednesday, July 13, they youngsters will “travel”to Italy through stories and songs, and celebrate with a Pizza Party.

“We couldn’t do these programs without the support of the Friends of the Library,” Trammell said. The Pizza Party will be – like the entire reading program – free and open to all. The program on July 13 will begin at 11 a.m.

The final week, July 20, will feature Zoofari and will begin at 10 a.m.

“Zoofari will feature animals from six continents. There will be mammals, birds and reptiles and other creatures from around the world,” Trammell said. The staff from Animal Tales of Mayfield, Kent, will be on hand to share and experience the youngsters are sure to enjoy.

The theme for the 2011 summer reading program is “One World – Many Stories.”

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A little rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm and fun of the youngsters at the 19th annual 4th of July Parade for kids in Dexter. With determination and plenty of caps and umbrellas, the parade launched from the corner of Vine and Elm streets at 10 a.m. Monday. The kids wrote bicycles, trikes, in wagons, walked, skipped and made their way with parents and friends to the Post Office on Stoddard Street. The crew sang some patriotic songs, said the Pledge of Allegiance, posed for photos, and then headed rather swiftly back to the home of Jason and Kristi Banken for some refreshments and more fun. The crew posed for a photo with Uncle Sam (aka Jason Banken). The youngest in the parade was Gray LeBeau, infant son of Clint and Hannah LeBeau. (SMT Photos by Annabeth Miller)

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A host of Independence Day observances are going on throughout the area this weekend – plenty to “pick and choose” for your own celebration!

DEXTER
The city’s Fourth of July Fireworks display will begin after dusk (say around 8:30) on Sunday night, July 3. The display will be held at the East City Park and is free and open to the public.

On Monday, July 4, Kristie and Jason Banken continue the tradition of a Fourth of July Parade for kids. The parade will being at the corner of Elm and Vine streets at 10 a.m. Kids will walk, ride bikes and trikes, skateboard, ride in wagons – all sorts of forms of non-motorized transportation along a route that goes Elm to Stoddard, Stoddard to Poplar, Poplar to Vine and back to the starting point. Along the way the youngsters will pause at the Dexter Post Office to salute the flag and sing patriotic songs. At the end of the parade the Bankens invite the children for lemonade and cookies on their front lawn.

WAPPAPELLO
The Army Corps of Engineers says all campgrounds and recreation areas will be open this weekend, just two months after historic flooding. A temporary road has been built around Highway T and the lake stage was a 361 feet late in the week - very close to summer pool. The annual Waterfest will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, ending with a fireworks display over the lake at 9 p.m. Saturday.

BLOOMFIELD
The Independence Day Celebration in Bloomfield will actually take place on Saturday, July 2, with a complete lineup of activities throughout the day. From morning to evening, there are activities for young and old at the Bloomfield City Park. At dusk Saturday evening Jerry Fuqua will sing the National Anthem, and the annual fireworks display will begin.

FIREWORKS IN DEXTER
Residents are reminded that Dexter city ordinances forbid the use of fireworks in the city limits except on July 4. This year the ordinance has been amended to include July 3. Persons in the city of Dexter are not permitted to use fireworks except on July 3 and 4.

In addition, this week it was observed that signs have been posted prohibiting the use of fireworks at any time of Dexter Public School property.

An Independence Day tradition will continue this weekend as youngsters dress up in their red, white and blue and participate in the 19th Annual Fourth of July Parade.

The annual parade will begin at 10 a.m. from the Banken Home at 213 S. Elm.

The “just for kids” parade was started 19 years ago by Janice Barney, Lisa Greer and Jean Rahm. The parade leadership has passed to a new generation, as Kristi and Jason Banken now host the parade.

The Bankens began hosting the parade five years ago, and have continued to build upon the Independence Day tradition.

“Jason dresses up as Uncle Sam,” Kristi Banken said. Jason’s uncle, Fire Chief Al Banken, brings a fire truck to the event, thrilling young and old alike.

The parade will follow its traditional route down Elm Street to Stoddard Street with kids on bicycles, tricycles, wagons, scooters, skates, on foot, or in strollers (most anything non-motorized). Once the parade rests at Stoddard Street, the gaggle of youngsters break “parade formation.”

The youngsters will gather on the steps of the U.S. Post Office to salute the flag with the Pledge of Allegiance, sing a few patriotic songs, and pose for photographs for all the parents and grandparents in attendance.

The parade will get moving again, east down Stoddard Street to Poplar Street, where it will turn south at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) back to Vine and turn west and return to Vine and Elm. Upon returning to Elm Street, the youngsters will be treated to some 4th of July lemonade and refreshments in the Banken’s front yard.

Children are invited to participate; they may walk or bring their bikes and other means of transportation for the parade. Parking will be available for grownups in the city parking lot on Vine Street across from the Dexter Municipal Building.

In a 2004 photo, the children in the 4th of July Parade pause on the Post Office steps. While at the Post Office they children say the Pledge of Allegiance, sing some patriotic songs and pause for photographs before continuing the annual parade. (Archive photo by Annabeth Miller)