By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

A familiar face joined the table at Monday’s evening’s Dexter Board of Alderman.

Tim Aslin was appointed by Mayor Joe Weber appointed and confirmed by the board to fill the aldermanic seat left vacant with the resignation earlier this summer of Dr. Rick Hux. Aslin will hold the seat until the next municipal election in April 2012 and may then choose to seek election to the seat.

Hux and his family have moved to Jonesboro, Ark., where Dr. Annette Hux has assumed a teaching position with Arkansas State University.

Aslin is no stranger to aldermanic business. He served Ward II as alderman from 2004 until January 2010. Aslin works at Mingo Job Corps as the Business and Community Liaison.

In the brief meeting Monday evening, Ward I Alderman Jerry Corder nominated Ward II Alderman Kent Essner to serve as Aldermanic President. The aldermen unanimously elected Essner to the position.

In a unique twist, Essner was appointed to the board in January 2010 to fill the seat vacated when Aslin resigned his old seat due to professional obligations.

In other business Monday evening, the board:

• Learned from Fire Chief Al Banken that the summer testing of city water hydrants is almost complete;
• The last Summer Reading Program session is Wednesday, July 20 at 10 a.m. Library Director Pam Trammell said the annual program for children has been highly successful this summer. The library will also host a nutrition program for children hosted by the University Extension service on July 27.

The next meeting of the Dexter Board of Alderman will be at 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 1 at the Dexter Municipal Building on Vine Street.

Photo Above: Tim Aslin (left) takes the oath of office from City CLerk Crystal Bishop as Mayor Joe Weber (center) looks on. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

Scott Chesser was serving up fresh, cold lemonade at the Dexter Chamber of Commerce’s July Jubilee last Friday. Chesser was just one of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce officers and directors on hand at the event. Carol Roberts, assistant executive director with the Chamber, announced on Monday the winners of door prizes at July Jubilee. The winner of the $100 in Dexter Dollars was Chris Guethle. Winners of $25 in Dexter Dollars were Mary Worley, Marti Porter, Annabeth Miller, Ann Marie Mitchell, Dean Drerup, Mark Stidham and Dr. Ryan Schlief. Chambers participating in July Jubilee were treated to lunch of smoked pork loin, barbecue chicken, and all the fixings. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)

Missouri Southern Healthcare didn't have to search far for a new chief financial officer.

The medical center announced recently that Vickie Corlew, a 20-year veteran at Missouri Southern, has been named Chief Financial Officer at the facility. The appointment was announced recently by SunLink Health Systems.

Corlew has served as controller at the hospital for the past 20 years. She is a Dexter native and attained her bachelor's degree in accounting in 2002 and a masters in business administration in 2004, both from William Woods University in Fulton.

In her new position, Corlew will focus on the everyday financial operation of the hospital, accounting, and the investment activities of the organization. She will be responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation, conducting financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to the SunLink group.

"There will be many new challenges ahead," Corlew says of her new position, "but I'm looking forward to them all."

Corlew and her husband, Rodney, live in Dexter and have two daughters, Jessica and Lindsey.

"We are pleased to have the talent available to promote from within the organization and feel Vickie will provide effective and energetic leadership in her new position," said MSH Administrator Amy Akers of the appointment.

It was July Jubilee time Friday as members of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce celebrated the group's annual July Jubilee. Kevin Bishop, Chamber secretary/treasurer, and Mendy Bell, Chamber director, were on hand to keep the event running smoothly - including gathering up the trash! A number of Chamber officers and directors were on hand throughout the successful event. Chamber members were treated to a delicious barbecue lunch that was topped off with ice cream sundaes. Members could enjoy a neck massage or a hand massage, and register for door prizes. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

Crews are moving dirt and starting construction of a new business at one of the busiest intersections in Dexter.

Construction has begun on the new USA Drug at the northwest corner of One Mile Road and Business 114 in town. Construction crews will continue work throughout the summer and fall, with an anticipated opening date sometime in mid-or late November 2011.

The new store will be on a 2.2-acre site and have 15 thousand square feet, said Gain Robinson, vice president for real estate for USA Drug Stores in Little Rock, Ark.

“We will combine Overturf and David’s Pharmacy into this the new location,” Robinson said. A similar USA Drug is being built in Malden.

“The new store will offer a larger selection of items - and will include snacks, household goods and other items as well as cosmetic and health care needs,” he said. “The new store will also have a double-lane drive-through pharmacy window.”

Robinson said the store would be staffed by familiar faces.

“The staff at both locations (Overturf’s and David’s Pharmacy) will be at the new location,” he said. “We are not doing away with anyone – we are combining both staffs at the new store.”

Robinson said that combining the stores was advantageous for the company, since it already owns the two existing stores.

“This just makes financial sense,” he comments.

Robinson said the general contractor is Staley Construction out of Little Rock and the project is being financed by Montgomery Bank.

In 1984, the first USA Drug store opened in Pine Bluff, Ark. Over the past 20 years, the USA Drug family, which includes USA Drug, Super D Drugs, May's Drug Stores, Drug Warehouse, and Med-X Drugs has grown to more than 150 stores with retail outlets in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas.

USA Drug pharmacies were designed to handle large numbers of customers while providing a down-home, friendly atmosphere. USA Drug strives to maintain a continuously evolving retail format to better provide our customers the best products and services at the lowest prices.

Photos Above: Top photo - A USA Drug store of the same design that will open in Dexter this November( photo courtesy USA Drug); Bottom photo - Construction workers are busy at the site of the future USA Drug at the corner of Business 114 and One Mile Road in Dexter. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)