By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

It was an awfully important night. It was the kind of event that is a life milestone, when parents and grandparents beam with pride and snap photos, a night when the teachers share in the pride and sense of of the students' accomplishments. For the youngsters it can be a little scary getting up in front of all those people, but also a happy and excited time – when they know they have done something big – and getting ready for even bigger things in the future.

It was graduation night this week for Small Wonders Child Development Center in Dexter, and from the moment the 49 youngsters marched in their caps and gowns to the front of the Worship Center at First Baptist Church it was an exciting time for parents and families, teachers, and the students, too.

The kids sang rousing songs (has there ever been a more enthusiastic singing of “How Great Thou Art”?), and they told the audience just what they want to be when they grow up. From firemen to doctors, big 'monster' truck drivers to “just like my daddy” the youngsters knew exactly what they were going to do someday. And, they ended it all with a declaration of God’s love and care.

Then the moment they waited – the presentation of diplomas. Walking to the front of the stage when their name was read, each student accepted their diploma from Small Wonders Director Tonya Guthrie. Most stood in the center of the stage for photos - just as they had rehearsed. Parents snapped photos, some shed a few tears, and applauded enthusiastically when all the class was presented.

Kindergarten – here they come!

Miss Ann/LeaAnn’s Class

Averee Ackman, Kayden Craft, Laney Edwards, Joseph Fortner, Christiaan Haasbroek, Olivia Maldonado, Carly McMunn, Fisher Menley, Stryker Muzny, Logan Pullum, Avery Riley, Payton Short, Tucker Temples

Miss Angelea’s Class

Ben Dowdy, Ethan Glaus, Tanner Guiling, Kaydence Hessling, Jackson Howard, Kate Nichols, Isabella Pittman, Caroline Stone, Nolen Stone, Sage Wallingford, Korbin Williams

Miss Christy’s Class

Nolan Alford, Luke Bishop, Christian Chappell, Cameron Griffin, Kasmira Hester, Cali Jones, Grady McGhee, Sawyer Rascher, Camden Stevens, Maddie Sutton, Bella Voss

Miss Lynne’s Class

Elizabeth Bolin, Beau Carrier, Ben Christian, Hunter Farmer, Bailey Henry, Parker King, Kenady Krapf, Caden Lee, Kenna Parris, Carly Patterson, Emma Pennington, Drexler Pope, Cale Robinson, Cooper Worley

ShowMe Times Photo Gallery

Every minute of every day, someone needs blood – and blood can only come from a volunteer donor.

A special Red Cross Blood Drive will be sponsored Saturday, May 12 at Wesley Hall of the First United Methodist Church in Dexter. The Blood Drive will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

“The Red Cross tells me their blood supply is low already and it isn't even summer yet,” said Loretta Reid, outreach coordinator of the church. “When you make a blood donation, you join a very select group. Currently only three out of every 100 people in America donate blood.”

From its beginning, the American Red Cross has formed a community of service, of generous, strong and decent people bound by beliefs beyond themselves. The American Red Cross blood donor embodies this principle. 

For additional information about the Blood Drive, contact Kristi Williams at the First United Methodist Church at 573-624-3344.

The First United Methodist Church is located at 501 South Walnut Street in Dexter.

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

The students in Shannon Putnam’s first grade class at Center learned all about changes, growth, and letting go recently, as the class watched a group of butterflies grow, mature and then freed.

The class watched as butterflies travelled through their life cycle from larva, pupa, and finally adults. The class this year had the Painted Lady variety of butterflies, and studied the life cycle and butterflies as they developed.

“We learned some butterflies are poisonous,” said Putnam. “We didn’t know that! And some butterflies taste with their feet!”

Putnam said it was a tad chilly outside and the “day of freedom” when the class set the butterflies free. But that didn’t deter the students or dampen their spirits as the butterflies flew away.

“The first one we called ‘Lucky’,” she said. Seems the Lucky was knocked a bit as a chrysalis, but was the first butterfly to hatch. It only seemed natural that he should be the first to experience freedom.

Photo Above: Students in Shannon Putnam's first grade watched as butterflies grew and were then ready to be set free. The students learned about the cycle of life and some interesting facts about butterflies. (Photo by Shannon Putnam ... Thanks, Mrs. Putnam!)

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

One of the oldest and most unique historical sites in Missouri will host a special day to explore early Native American life during May.

Discover the secrets of the Mississippian Period of Native American culture at an event May 12 at Towosahgy State Historic Site near East Prairie in Mississippi County.

The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will include activities throughout the day and storytelling by a Native American actor and teacher. Larry Sellers, an actor, educator and Osage tribal member, will be at Towosahgy throughout the day. Sellers portrayed Cloud Dancing on the television show “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” in the 1990s. Sellers will tell traditional Native American stories as well as stories of Osage history.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the many aspects of the mound-building culture that flourished in the area 1,000 years ago. They will be able to tour the site where the village once stood and see various pre-historic artifacts from the area. Visitors can make arrowheads, learn how to make cordage (small rope) from native plants, and test their aim and skill with an atlatl and longbow.

Towosahgy State Historic Site is located 14 miles southeast of East Prairie on County Road 502 in Mississippi County. For more information about the event, call Big Oak Tree State Park at 573-649-3149 or Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site at 573-748-5340.

To get to Towosahgy State Historic Site, take State Highway 77 south towards Dorena and turn west on CR 502 (look for signs near CR 502). Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the event is free and open to the public.

Photo Above: A bald cypress tree at sunset at Towosahgy State Historic Site in Mississippi County. (ShowMe Times archive photo by Annabeth Miller)