Features
Youngsters Enjoy Morning At Otter Slough
August 01st 2011 by News

By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor
Mother Nature can sometimes throw a “curve ball” and force a change in plans. But Missouri Conservation Agent Mark Reed knew he needed to have a plan in place this weekend for the annual “banding day” for youth at Otter Slough.
The plan was for an early Saturday morning spent learning more about wood ducks and doves at the conservation area south of Dexter. But some of Mother Nature’s critters had a plan of their own. Agents set traps last week to capture wood ducks for banding. The bait was a favorite treat for wood ducks – corn. But corn is also a favorite with raccoons, and it seems the raccoons cleaned the traps before the ducks could visit. The result: No ducks.
But Reed didn’t skip a beat. Enter Paul Cleslewicz, a fisheries expert with conservation office in Cape Girardeau. With the youngsters and adults along the bank of the lake at Otter Slough, Cleslewicz and his partner captured fish in the lake, and then went ashore and talked to the youngsters about the fish, their habitat and natural defenses against prey.
Touching a fish was a new experience for many, and they discovered the fish had barbs (a baby catfish) and scales and sometimes they were a bit slimy. In that case, Cleslewicz let the children wipe their hands on his shirt – and not their own – since he said he was used to smelling “fishy.”
Following the demonstration at the lake, the early Saturday morning crew hiked the short distance to the headquarters where they learned more about waterfowl and the purpose behind banding the birds. And then, with a couple of cages of doves agents had trapped, the young conservationists learned, observed, and experienced banding the doves and setting them free.
By mid-morning the doves were all banded and set free, and the kids were wearing a new cap and experimenting with duck calls, courtesy of Ducks Unlimited, which helped sponsor the event.
Photo Above: Conservation Agent Mark Reed helps his son Seth set free a dove at Otter Slough on Saturday. Seth and other youngsters learned about banding birds, helped band a dove and then set them free at an annual event at the conservation area. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)
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Last Updated on August 01st 2011 by News
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/ujhl/Youngsters-Enjoy-Morning-At-Otter-Slough
'Pickers & Grinners' Sell Sweet Corn
July 28th 2011 by News

And just like the “pickers and grinners” of old Hee-Haw fame, this group was out in a country cornfield.
It’s not any old cornfield – it’s a field of sweet corn that is grown specifically for the youth at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Dexter.
The corn is grown by church ember Jimmy Putnam for the youth – who pick and sell the sweet corn as an annual summer fund raising project.
Youth leader Tim Holder said the picking crew was larger than he had anticipated Thursday morning – with some high school athletes joining the picking crew after finishing their morning workout in the weight room.
“We picked for two hours,” Holder said. The heat was getting intense by 9:30 a.m., the trailer was full of sweet corn, and the “pickers and grinners” headed back to town.

The youth will use the proceeds of their sweet corn stand for on-going youth activities at the church and for sponsorship of a child in India through the denomination’s mission outreach.
Photo Above: A group of the "pickers and grinners" were on hand Thursday afternoon to sell sweet corn at the Christian Youth Fellowship booth. Working the booth were (from left) Addie Kruse, Katie Cecil, Shyann Jines and Kelsey Holder. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)
Last Updated on July 28th 2011 by Unknown
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/ujg6/Pickers--Grinners-Sell-Sweet-Corn
Dexter Cheer Squad Wins Regionals
July 25th 2011 by News

By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor
But the shock didn’t last long before the celebration began!
For the first time in many years the DHS Competition Cheer Squad won first place at Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association Southeast Regional competition, earning the opportunity to go on to state competition this fall. The regional competition was held Monday, July 18 at Perryville.
“They were shocked,” said Coach Michelle Kirkley. Kirkley and Laura Stone are coaches for the squad. “We’ve never gotten first place at regionals, so the girls were shocked when the announcement was made. They just looked at each other for a moment before it all soaked in! Their reaction was almost kind of funny.”
Competition classes are based on a school’s basketball classification, plus the number of squad members, said Kirkley. So the Dexter squad was Class 4-Small. Squads that include up to 14 members are classified Small; more than 14 Large.
“It’s a small division, but it’s a strong division,” Kirkley said.
The Dexter girls were head-to-head against Festus and Perryville squads to win the regional competition. Other area schools competition at the regional competition include Sikeston, Holcomb, Cooter, Jackson, Park Hills, Kelley, Van Buren and Southland.
Judges have a number of criteria to consider in rating a performance. Included are crowd appeal, showmanship, skills with jumps, stunts, motions and tumbling, cheer execution, overall effectiveness and incorporation of music.
Girls on the squad include seniors McKenzie Mitchell, Taylor Martin, Miranda Warner, Sydnie Rinehart, and Rilee Jones, juniors Sydney Graves, Brooke Duckworth, Brooke Stoker, and Jessica Norman, and sophomores Alyssa Spear, Madison McGowen, and Tayler Allen.
Last Updated on July 25th 2011 by News
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/ujei/Dexter-Cheer-Squad-Wins-Regionals
Campus Ministry Thrives on Local Support
July 21st 2011 by Staff Writer

Local Supporters and family of Casey's gathered at the 1st General Baptist Church in Dexter for a dinner and a ministry update by the couple. The enthusiasm of their work with college students was evident throughout the evening.
"I was fortunate to grow up in a home with two wonderful Christian parents", noted Jacob. "But it wasn't until my freshman year in High School that I really understood the meaning of a true relationship with Jesus Christ."
As a freshman at Tennessee Tech, Jacob walked on to the football team as a linebacker. He highlighted a friend that was the kicker on the football team that was very active in the Campus Ministries and his passion began at that point to serve God on university campuses.
Jacob was inspired throughout his college career to work with other students promoting events and working closely with other sharing the love of Christ. During his junior year, he joined a campus missionary team on a 9 weeks trip to Brazil. This is where he met his future wife, Casey.
"It only took me one and a half years to finally get the nerve up to call Casey and say 'do you remember me'", recalled Jacob. But as the old cliche goes, it was a match made in heaven.
The couple shared story after story of the times their ministry allows them to pour the love of Christ into these students. "I just wish you (supporters) could be there at those moments when the lights go on for these students and they realize that Jesus died for the sins of the world", said Casey. "It's not something we work to receive but a free gift from God".
"It was difficult coming in mid-year to get to know the girls", added Casey. "I am looking forward to this Fall when relationships are much easier to make with the girls on campus."
The couple gave the attenders a prayer card and asked the group to continue to pray for them throughout the year. Their prayer request are:
* New and deep friendships with freshmen.
* Boldness in leading them toward a relationship with Christ.
* To end the year with several students who will be ready to impact others.
* Our personal walk with God and marriage.
The couple plans to continue their adjustments to married life while they work to see lives on the Bradley campus transformed through Christ.
If you would like to learn more about Sluder's ministry or receive their newsletter "The Sluder Source", SMT readers can contact Casey at her email address ... chyten@campusoutreach.org.
The vision of Campus Outreach is "Glorifying God by Building Laborers on the Campus for the Lost World." Campus Outreach seeks to build laborers with a commitment to the Great Commission through evangelism and discipleship. They are passionately reaching students with the gospel and training them to become mature followers of Christ. Their desire is then to see students leave college fully equipped to labor in the harvest field for the glory of God.
Last Updated on July 21st 2011 by Staff Writer
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/ujdo/Campus-Ministry-Thrives-on-Local-Support-
Mud Magnet Opens; Features Doggie Wash
July 21st 2011 by News

A SMT Report
A couple of Dexter men are looking for some mud.
Patrick Barbour and Jeff Jarrell of Dexter just opened their sixth Mud Magnet car wash in Southeast Missouri. The newest location is at 224 E. Business Highway 60 (next door to Faye’s Bakery) in Dexter.
This new car wash has all the latest features for keeping cars and trucks sparkling clean, but has a new feature to help keep the furry friends at home clean, too. This newest Mud Magnet features a Doggie Wash.
“We’ve seen the Doggie Wash for several years at industry shows, and decided to add it to this new facility,” Barbour said.
The Doggie Wash features a small room and a specially designed work area where the dog can rest while its owner uses the wash. The machine features cash, rinse and even conditioner, disinfectant, flea and tick control and odor control rinses. The owner can use the dryer to complete the dog wash experience.
“Everybody says that the odor control works really well,” Barbour said. “It really lasts and has a minty smell to it.”
The new Doggie Wash has already become a popular feature, Barbour said.
Barbour and Jarrell own and operate Mud Magnet Car Washes in Bloomfield, two in Malden, Chaffee, and now two in Dexter.
The car wash features self-service car wash bays, vacuums, and an automatic car wash. All systems accept credit, debit and Mud Magnet loyalty cards.
Last Updated on July 21st 2011 by News
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/ujdl/Mud-Magnet-Opens-Features-Doggie-Wash