By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
Spring is on its way, and along with it a new opportunity to run – or stroll – to raise funds for kids and a local program.
The local Parents As Teachers program in the Dexter Public Schools is hosting a 5K run and Strollerthon to raise needed funds for the program. Planners are busy preparing for the event to be held Saturday, March 31 in Dexter’ West City Park.
A group of volunteers met Thursday with PAT coordinator Melanie Stoelting to continue planning and preparing for the first-ever set of events.
The first event of the day will be a 5K run beginning at 8:30 a.m., and beginning in West Park.
“This is for everyone. This is not a race, but it is a chance to be active for kids and with kids,” said Willa Fees, who is chairing the event committee. Fees added that 5K runners would not be running with strollers.
The entry fee for the 5K is $20 per person, and they will receive a t-shirt and swag bags fill with goodies donated by local businesses and organizations, water and refreshments.
“Not up for 3.1 miles, but have a cute kid and a stroller? Then the Stollerthon is for you,” Fee said.
“Strollerthoners” can check in with registration anytime between 8 -10 a.m. with their decorated stroller. This second part of the day will have a 10 a.m. start time.
Fees explained that participants will push their decorated stronger for two laps, which is 1 mile. During these laps, others can “vote” for their favorites by putting donations in that stroller’s jar. There will be prizes awarded for the best-decorated strollers at the event.
Proceeds from the day’s dup of events will go to support the local Parents As Teachers program. The PAT program, which originated in Missouri, is a national program that provides information, support and encouragement to parents who need to help their children develop optimally during the early years of life. Programs help to increase parents’ confidence and improve parenting skills.
Persons wishing information on the 5K run and/or the Strollerthon may contact Fees at dexterPATstrollerthon@gmail.com or PAT program coordinator Melanie Stoelton at 573.614-1004 or melanies@dexter.k12.mo.us.
Photo Above: Planners got together Thursday morning to work on the upcoming Strollerthon and 5K for PAT in Dexter. On hand for the meeting were (from leftO PAT Coordinator Melanie Stoelting, Marsha Lovelady, Amy Ellinghouse, Willa Fees, and "committee consultant" Stella Fees. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
What does Valentine’s Day mean to kids these days? Well, for the second grade students in Tracy Elfrink’s class, it mean giggles, good times, and games … and something that just might be a thing of the past for kids in 2012.
Remember Sweatheart Conversation Hearts? Those sugary sweet, heart-shaped candies with short (and usually sweet) messages, It just wouldn't be Valentine's Day without these candy hearts bearing cute messages, would it?
But what about kids growing up today?
The candies were on hand Tuesday for the Valentine’s party in Mrs. Elfrink’s classroom. But they’re important role in 2012 was more as a marker in Bingo than as a vehicle for sharing special messages with your Valentine.
“The messages just aren’t as popular,” Elfrink said. Blame modern technology. For kids growing up with computers, cell phones, texting and e-mail, the Conversation Hearts are just another great Valentines candy.
But that didn’t dampen the fun times! Games, refreshments (including pink and white cupcakes), and good fun were the order of the afternoon.
Sweethearts Conversation Hearts are more than 100 years old. The NECCO company (NECCO stands for New England Confectionary Company) began printing sayings on candy in 1860, and the company reports that the present version of the candy dates back to 1902. In 1990 the company started updating its messages for the modern crowd – including sayings like “text me”.
But for the kids in Mrs. Elfrink’s class this week, they were just another generation of kids who enjoyed the fun of Conversation Hearts and sharing Valentines Day with friends and finding a stash of cards from classmates in you Valentines Card Box.
ShowMe Times Photo Gallery
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
Once upon a time (Tuesday morning), the children gathered and listened to none other than Mother Goose herself, as she read wondrous rhymes and sang songs at Story Hour in Dexter.
Mother Goose read nursery rhymes to the young children who attended the weekly Story Hour. From rhymes familiar to singing rhymes together, the youngsters sat (or perhaps rolled around) the story time rug and listened intently.
Jack be nimble,
And Jack be quick;
And Jack jump over
The candlestick.
Dressed in her traditional tall hat, full apron and practical dress, Mother Goose was even accompanied on her visit to Dexter by the famous goose itself. And for once, the goose was quiet and let Mother Goose and the children do the talking.
Jack and Jill went up the hill,
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.
After listening quietly to Mother Goose and her famous rhymes, the youngsters had the opportunity to make some crafts to take home to remind them of their guest reader and her famous rhymes. There were even heart-shaped cookies to share!
Mary had a little lamb,
little lamb, little lamb,
Mary had a little lamb,
whose fleece was white as snow.
Mother Goose was portrayed by Melanie Stoelting, director of the Dexter Parents As Teacher program.
ShowMe Times Photo Gallery
Story Hour at Keller Public Library
Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand.”
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
There is nothing that can replace the soft and graceful flutter of a snowflake. For a time Monday afternoon - with the snow just beginning to fall – the sight of those first snowflakes was There were no thoughts of slushy streets and cancelled meetings; of the cold and wet, traffic snarls or of freezing feet and fingers that needed to thaw by a warm fire.
No. There was just the joy of a long-awaited snowfall. There were thoughts of playing in the snow, of using that new snowboard that was under the Christmas tree. There were thoughts of crafting the perfect snowman, hoping for enough now for a snowball scrimmage, playing in the snow, catching snowflakes and making a wish in the winter fun.
For young Kylee Carter it was an afternoon for giggles and new experiences; of enjoying the delights of the first flakes of snow to fall on a winter afternoon.
Kylee (also known as Peanut and a ferocious Cardinal baseball fan) was ready to catch snowflakes. Kylee liked playing in the snow, and yrying to catch snowflakes on her tongue - except her daddy thought she tried to do it with a very narrow tongue! Nevertheless, there were big smiles, giggles galore as she kept her tongue out, happily catching snowflakes.
Kylee is daughter of Kim and Kyle Carter, former Dexter folks who now live in Sikeston. Kylee's dad snapped these keepsake photos.
It’s good to know that kids still have fun being naturally fun kids – and giving the rest of us a chance to remember what it is like to still be a kid at heart.
By Joe Foster,
Special to the ShowMe Times
ESSEX - Richland High School celebrated its 51st annual Homecoming Friday evening. With a gymnasium of Rebel fans, the traditional Homecoming Court was presented at halftime of the Richland-Clarkton varsity basketball game.
Crowned King and Queen this year were sophomores Tyler Maddox and McKenzie Hillis. Chelsea Freeman is the retiring Queen.
The representatives from each class, descending, are:
- Austin Maddox and Mallory Hillis
- Nick Daniels and Jessica Hill
- Tyler Maddox and McKenzie Hillis
- Charlie Atchison and Hailey Laws
When I asked McKenzie her thoughts about tonight she said, “I was really surprised, I wasn’t expecting to win. I had fun doing it though, but I was sad Mallory didn’t win. I’m glad that I got the opportunity to do it. I was just really shocked, but glad I won.”
Later in the night girls from kindergarten through the third grade got the opportunity to dance with the cheerleaders during halftime. Captain Mallory Hillis told me, “It was really a win-win for everyone. It’s a lot of fun teaching them cheers and dances and they love learning them.
Chelsea Freeman said, “They did really well! I’m ready to see how the older girls are going to do on their more challenging performance on Thursday at Senior Night.”
The Homecoming Celebration also included a high school art show, the annual History Day and the Richland Book Fair.
