It looks to be a great fall weekend ahead, with community cuisine and good times.
The weekend starts early for some. The students in the Dexter Public Schools will not report for classes on Friday, Oct. 21. Friday is a Professional Day for district teachers, and students will get to enjoy the day out of the classroom!
The Dexter Bearcats will travel Friday evening to New Madrid for a great evening of football. Kick-off time for the district game is 7 p.m. Better bundle up! The forecast for game time calls for clear skies and a "feels like" temperature of 48 degrees.
Kiwanis Pancake Day: The Kiwanians in Dexter are Pancake Wizards!For more than 45 years the Dexter Kiwanis Club has had this annual autumn event and through the years they have become experts about all things “pancake”!! This year’s Pancake Day begins bright and early Saturday morning at 6 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Hall. Pancakes hot off the grill, bacon and your choice of drink comes with your $4 ticket.
Third Annual D.A.R.E. Rod & Custom Car Show: The D.A.R.E.event will begin with registration at 9 a.m. Saturday on the parking lot of the Dexter Aquatic Center. Judging will be held at 11 a.m. and award presentations at 3 p.m. The cost to register is $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the show. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Dexter D.A.R.E. Program
8th Annual Billy Pat Wright Fish Fry: State Rep. Billy Pat Wright will be hosting a Fish Fry beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Central Elementary School in Dexter. Special guests include U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, Missouri Senate Leader Sen. Rob Mayer, Missouri House Speaker Rep. Steve Tilley and more. The social time will begin at 5:30; dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 each and include fish dinner, dessert and drinks. For more information call 573.624.7561 or 573.624.5997.
Annual Bess Truman Day: Hosted annually by the Stoddard County Democratic Women’s Club, this year’s Bess Truman Day will be held Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Hidden Trails Country Club in Dexter. State Rep. and Missouri state senate candidate Terry Swinger (and Dexter native!) is the keynote speaker.
Demolition Derby: A Demolition Derby will be held beginning at 7 p.m. at the Stoddard County Fairgrounds. This event will be held rain or shine! For additional information contact Kevin Holman at 573.625.8650.
The BUZZ is back: The local band sensation The BUZZ will be performing from 7 - 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Boat House Wine Company north of Bloomfield.
This year’s event will open on Nov. 25 for weekends only, until Dec. 16 when it opens on a nightly basis until closing on Jan. 1, 2012.
This annual event is a partnership between the Wappapello Lions Club and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake. With the help of local businesses, volunteers, churches and other organizations within the community, this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever.
Those wishing to take part in this year’s event by decorating a campsite are encouraged to contact the Wappapello Lake Project Office and register.
Campsites are free of charge and all electricity is free. Decorators can begin their work starting on Nov. 7, and are asked to have it completed by Nov. 25, at 5 p.m.
For those wishing to help in a different way, volunteers are sought to assist with placing lights and decorations up throughout the campground.
Hundreds of strands of lights are put up every year, in addition to many displays. Those wishing to assist will be provided with all needed tools and decorations.
Persons needing more information or have questions, please contact Park Rangers Andrew Jefferson or John Daves at the Wappapello Lake Project Office at 573-222-8562.
The Dexter Chamber of Commerce went to college Tuesday night!
Three Rivers College in Dexter hosted the monthly Chamber After Hours event Tuesday evening, with Chamber members seeing first-hand the new educational center in the community.
Guests were treated with hot dogs grilled by Center Coordinator Bill Hampton and were served soft drinks and chips by college staff. Three Rivers Vice President for Learning Dr. Wes Payne and his wife MaryBeth were also on hand to greet guests.
Hampton offered guided tours of the center, and pointed out that construction will begin this Saturday on the addition of a new science lab at the Dexter facility. The new lab will be ready for student use in January, when Three Rivers begins offering science classes at the center.
The Chamber After Hours is a monthly informal time for socializing, networking and learning more about the community.
Photo Above: Mary Worley chats with Dr. Wes Payne, Three Rivers College Vice President for Learning, at the Chamber After Hours event. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)
Spotted ... At Chamber After Hours
The tournament was held Saturday evening at the DHS Gym before a crowd ready for some action! Organizers said 12 teams signed up for the event, including teams of from businesses and groups in the community, a squad from Three Rivers College in Dexter, and from Briggs & Stratton in Poplar Bluff and other members of the community. A total of 12 teams participated in the tournament and four referees were in charge of the rules of the game.
The rules and game structure are much different than the images people may have from childhood. For the start of the game, 10 dodgeballs are placed at the centerline of a basketball court. Each team stands on opposite baselines, awaiting the start signal. Players then sprint to half court to get possession of the balls and start attacking the opposition. Once all players on one side are gone, the team left is awarded one point.
Winner of the championship were the “Dodgefathers” sponsored by First Midwest Bank. Second place were the “Top Guns,” with employees of the City of Dexter as squad members.
The Dodgeball tournament was the culmination of an exciting week of DHS Homecoming Week activities.
