By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
It may have been cold and wet outside Thursday evening, but inside Central Elementary School, the action things were busy, hectic and a little warm for the Parent Night opening the annual Scholastic Book Fair.
Parents and students flocked to Central, as well as Southwest Elementary, for the Parent Night to kick off the annual book fair. The thee for Book Fair this year is “Book Fair Luau – It’s A Reading Celebration!” From “Dewey the Library Cat” to cookbooks to the tale of four little girls in “Shoe-La-La” to a book on America by Callista Gingrich, wife of the Presidential candidate – hundreds of books were just ready for new readers.
The Books Fairs in the Dexter schools will be held through Feb. 6 at Southwest, Central and Middle schools and are administered by each building’s PTO. Proceeds will be used to purchase library materials in the schools.
Each year Scholastic Book Fairs, in partnership with schools across the country, hosts more than 120,000 book-sale events that give more than 35 million students and their families access to thousands of affordable and educational products, helping foster a lifelong love of reading.
ShowMe Times Photo Gallery
Central Elementary Book Fair Parent Night
An SMT Report
Sikeston – A route connecting Stoddard and Scott counties will be closed this Friday for bridge repairs.
The Missouri Department of Transportation reports that Route 91 – connecting the Bell City area and Morley will be closed between Route CC and Route P while crews perform routine bridge repairs.
Work will take place Friday, Jan. 27 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., weather permitting.
The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.
For additional information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/southeast.
COLUMBIA - A Bootheel member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators has resigned with one year left in her term.
Judith Haggard of Kennett cited personal reasons that prevented her from fulfilling her term on the University of Missouri Board of Curators. Her resignation was effective Jan. 17.
“It has been an honor to work on behalf of the four campuses of the University of Missouri System,” Haggard said. “I am grateful for the privilege to have served the state in this capacity.”
Gov. Matt Blunt appointed Haggard to the board of curators in 2007. She served as chairwoman of the curators in 2010 where she advocated for the growth of a systemwide, coordinated effort to expand learning opportunities to new and existing students. She has served as chairs of the Executive; Academic, Student and External Affairs; and Governance, Resources and Planning committees.
“Judy’s passion and enthusiasm for higher education will be greatly missed,” said current board chair David Bradley of St. Joseph in the announcement from the University. “She made it a personal mission to ensure that the University of Missouri remains in the top-tier in both research and education and that our campuses provide an affordable education to the state’s citizens so they are equipped with the tools to become contributing members of society. We wish her all the best.”
Haggard was a enthusiastic spokesman for the University, especially at gatherings like the annual Field Day at the University of Missouri Delta Research Center in Portageville.
Haggard is a family nurse practitioner at the SEMO Health Network in Kennett and a past examiner for the certification of substance abuse counselors. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Haggard is the founder of the Dunklin County Caring Community Council, a founding member of the parent organization at MU, a member of the MU Alumni Association and an elder in her church. She has received the Community Service Award in recognition of her community work in Kennett.
The board of curators is the governing body of the University of Missouri and consists of nine members who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Curators serve six-year terms. Haggard’s term would have expired Jan. 1, 2013. The governor may appoint a replacement to fill the remaining portion of her term.
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Jay Nixon is likely to lay the groundwork in his State of the State address tonight on his administration hopes to balance Missouri’s state budget in 2012 without raising taxes.
Nixon will deliver his State of the State speech to a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly at 7 p.m. in the House chamber.
Nixon’s office says the governor will detail his strategy for creating jobs and moving Missouri's economy forward during his the address. Nixon, a Democrat, is seeking reelection in the November 2012 election.
Missourians who would like to watch or listen to the Governor's address may do so by logging into the state website.
House Majority Leader Tim Jones of Eureka and Senate Appropriations Chairman Kurt Schaefer of Columbia will deliver the Republican response to the State of the State address tonight. The response will be pre-recorded and aired immediately following Gov. Nixon’s remarks.
The GOP response is also available on the Internet.
Links of Interest
Following its production of The Elves and the Shoemaker in December, the Imaginary Theatre Company of St. Louis will return to Poplar Bluff to kick off the new year with Puss and Boots at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now at trcc.edu/tinnin, the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce, the college Business Offices, and will also be available at the door before each performance. Each ticket is only $10.
The feline favorite of children's fairy tales will come to life onstage in this rendition of the beloved story: Puss is a clever cat who promises his master a life of luxury and adventure in exchange for a pair of boots. Puss goes on to use cunning and intelligence to overcome an ogre, befriend a king and win the heart of the fair princess. ITC's version of the Mother Goose tale combines the spirit of the original with fresh, musical mischief. Through adaptations of classical literature, ITC works to encourage young audiences to "learn through play."
"The mission of the Patrons of the Arts Society is to provide a quality level of entertainment at an affordable price," said Dr. Wesley Payne, Vice President for Learning at Three Rivers. "Here in the Poplar Bluff area, we have great opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Patrons' series expands the cultural offerings of the region and adds a different kind of entertainment option to the area."
Puss in Boots is underwritten by the Missouri Arts Council and a generous donation from Southern Bank, with a new location on campus at Three Rivers College. Companies or individuals interested in helping to sponsor Patrons of the Arts shows can call 573-840-9527 for more information.
Photo Above: Southern Bank is the corporate underwriter of 'Puss in Boots' at Three Rivers. Bill Hirtz, representing Southern Bank(right) and Dr. Wesley Payne of the college announce the production. (Photo from Three Rivers)
