As the wheels of education begin to turn for the Dexter Public Schools, the First Christian Church and Montgomery Bank sponsored a Teachers appreciation Luncheon for all employees, teachers and administrators at the Dexter R-11 School District.

A large number of volunteers from the church were on hand to help coordinate the BBQ meal complete with the trimmings and desert. The event started at 11 a.m., and continued until 1 p..m. Thursday afternoon.

Montgomery Bank was on hand to help with the event to assist with the serving the large crowd of over 135 people. Lindsay Emillo, Dana Adams, Scott Nelson and Kyle Christian offered up a chance to win two school supply baskets.

Winners of the Montgomery Bank school baskets were April Aldridge and Chasity McLaughlin. The baskets were filled with those little extras that make a classroom a little more fun and the teachers just a little more special. Each basket was valued at more than $100.

"We had someone attend from every part of our school district," commented Dana Adams of Montgomery Bank. "And we are very pleased that all three our top administrators were there in support of the school staff ... Dr. Flowers, Dr. Alsup and Dr. Sharp."
The entire district was represented from coaches, to janitorial staff, to bus drivers as well as the teachers who are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the their kids for the 2011-2012 school year.

This was an incredible undertaking during the workday when many of the Christian Church members are busy working at their jobs. The volunteers came from many sections of the Church with CWF Ladies group and the Evening Shade Ladies group providing the side dishes, the Christian Men's group providing the meat and preparation and the CYF Youth group lead by Tim Holder provided the serving for the event.

"It's always easy when you have good people that simply want to help to make an event work," said Gary Williams.

This is the simple joys of living in a small community and taking great pride in the school system that makes it all worthwhile.

Photos Above: #1 - Teacher Kara Lummukka registered for prizes offered by Montgomery Bank at the teacher luncheon on Thursday. Helping with registration were Lindsay Emillo and Dana Adams of Montgomery Bank. #2 - Lindsay and Dana talked to school district staff as their arrive for the luncheon. #3 - Members of the Christian Youth Fellowship were on hand to help serve at the luncheon. (SMT Photos by Annabeth Miller)