Governor Jay Nixon signed legislation this week that aims to ease the transfer process betweem Missouri colleges and universities for the state’s college students.
The legislation, House Bill 1042, requires the Coordinating Board for Higher Education to set 25 core courses that will be transferable between any college – both two-year and four year institutions - in the ShowMe State.
“House Bill 1042 will remove many of the obstacles that block the route to degree attainment for hundreds of thousands of Missourians,” Nixon said. “It will improve remediation, align curriculum from high school to college, improve course transfer across higher education institutions, and help additional students who have received enough credits for an associate’s degree get that credential.”
State Rep. Mike Thompson, R – Maryville, sponsored the legislation. Thompson said easing the transfer process will help more Missourians graduate from college.
“I think that it nudges higher education across the two and four year institutions to collaborate more and start to look at the classes that they offer and get together with those and decide what actually should be offered within these things,” he said.
Additionally, the bill allows students who take courses at four year universities to transfer them to two year colleges if needed to qualify for a two year degree.
Photo Above: Missouri Gov. Jay and First Lady Georgeanne Nixon pause at the Bearcat mural at Dexter High School during a visit earlier this year. (ShowMe Times archive photo by Annabeth Miller)
ShowMe Times Editor
The Loft at #8 Stoddard Street in Historic Downtown Dexter marked its opening with a traditional Dexter Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting celebration. With Mayor Joe Weber and young Tres and Gracen Hampton handling the over-sized scissors, the ribbon was cut marking the arrival of the new Downtown Dexter business.
The Loft is owned by Brian Crawford and features a wide variety of items for the home - including candles and home scents, furniture, antiques, rugs and floor coverings, accent items and market finds. There is an entire room devoted to Christmas items for the home, as well as a line of home style books, antiques from England, and accents for the home.
In addition, Crawford has included a line of vintage and estate jewelry, as well as unique bedding and framed art.
"I love Dexter, and invite people to come join us at The Loft," Crawford said. "I hope this will be a welcoming place - where you can find just the special something for your home or a gift, you can meet friends, and enjoy a conversation with friends."
Crawford and staff held the drawing late Thursday afternoon for a number of Grand Opening Day door prizes. Winning prizes were:
- Jason Banken - Lavender scent set
- Pauline Nelson - Moon Flower set
- Tina Fields - vintage ring
- Marcelene Cravens - pendent
- Sam Sturgess - Smokey Topaz pendent
- Diana Orr - $50 gift card
- Elvena Martin - $100 gift card
- Gloria Hampton - Christmas basket
- Darryl Orr - Home wall mirror
Photo Above: The Loft in Historic Downtown Dxter celebrated its Grand Opening Thursday morning with a ribbon-cutting celebrations hosted by the Dexter Chamber of Commerce. On hand were (fron row, from left) Bill Hampton of Three Rivers College, Dexter Mayor Joe Weber, Tres and Gracen Hampton, store owner Brian Crawford, Chamber President Kenny Pope and Chamber Director Janet Coleman; (second row, from left) Kay Stevenson, James Hampton, Sue Sturgess, Afton Boone, Jeri Morgan-Pierce, Chamber Director Mindy Bell, Betsy Taylor; (third row, from left) Dexter City Administrator Mark Stidham, Andrew Boone, Chamber Vice President Jackie McKuin, Alderman Kirby Taylor, Alderman Terry Battles, and Chamber Director Scott Nelson. (ShowMe Times photo by Annabeth Miller)
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
Two ladies with more than 25 years of service to the Keller Public Library were recognized at Monday evening’s meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen.
After 17 years of service, Connie Hutchcraft is retiring from the library at the end of this year.
“We appreciate the many years you’ve given,” said Mayor Joe Weber in making a presentation of a plaque from the City to Hutchcraft.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with everybody and being a part of the City and part of the library and I’ve enjoyed meeting some wonderful people. I won’t forget you,” Hutchraft said.
Blanche Dinsmore was also recognized Monday evening for 10 years of service to the library.
“Best job I’ve ever had,” Dinsmore said cheerfully.
Library Director Pam Trammell said both ladies have been a part of the library in some important days.
“They’ve both seen the library through a lot of transitions, and it is certainly the better for it,” Trammell said. “Connie certainly has a following at the library and she’s going to be missed by a lot of people.”
The ladies received a standing ovation from the aldermen in appreciation for the years of service to the community.
Trammell said that Wednesday, June 6 will be “Connie’s Day” at the library with a drop-in reception from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Library patrons and area residents are invited to visit the library and wish Hutchcraft well as she begins retirement.
Later in the aldermanic meeting, Trammell said that she has made some personnel moves in light of Hutchcraft’s retirement. Assistant Librarian Rita LeBeau has gone from two days a weeks to four, and former Dexter High School Librarian Pam Horton will be joining the librarian staff and will be at the library three days each week.
Alderman Jerry Corder, who is chairman of the city Tourism Committee, reported during Monday’s meeting that the River Heritage Association will meet in Dexter Wednesday. The tourism group will have the opportunity to tour Dexter’s Heritage House, the Welcome Center/Old Depot, and have the opportunity to see Pete Parysek’s model train collection. A dinner meeting will also be held while the group is in Dexter.
Corder also had great praise for the Rib City Shootout, and how it brings families to Dexter for four weekends each summer.
“To me, this is really a boost to tourism,” Corder said. The basketball extravaganza involves more than 250 teams of young people from throughout the mid-south region. Corder praised organizer and Dexter schools coach Chad Allen.
The department chiefs offered updates on projects and programs in the city:
- Water Superintendent Tom Espey report his department would be working on a fire hydrant at Castor and West Elk streets on Wednesday
- Police Chief Sammy Stone report that the parking lot at the newly renovated Police Station has been complete, the lot striped and completed. Stone said this is the final step in the project at the police headquarters and he appreciates the public’s patience during the remodeling and construction.
- The work on the downtown rainwater sewer is nearing a completion, said department chief Jeff Myers. Mayor Weber commended the Street Department for its work on the program.
- Parks and Recreation Supt. Lawson Metcalf reported the pool has experienced good attendance since it opened for the season Memorial Day weekend. The average daily attendance thus far is 184.
- Fire Chief Don Seymore report that the department is nearing completion on its annual testing of the City’s fire hydrants, and should complete testing of fire hoses this week.
- Aldermen unanimously approved an ordinance approving a bid of $30,000 from Jethero Gater Construction for the closing of the West Lagoon cell.
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
It was a combination of reunion, community festival, and a family gathering. As more than 500 people jammed into the Dexter Elk’s Lodge for Friday evening’s Ben Kruse Fore Life banquet there was a sense of joy and excitement at the annual event.
“We welcome from literally all over the United States,” said event organizer Scott Kruse in his opening remarks. He rattled off a list that included Oregon, California, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Illinois, Kansas, Georgia, Colorado Oklahoma, Virginia and more. “We thank you for choosing to be here and it’s great to see you show up in Dexter.”
Kruse also thanked the folks who attended from the region, who have through the years “embraced a grassroots charity like this one and grow it into something that would make an impact.”
The annual banquet is held the evening before than annual 18 Fore Life Golf Tournament, and gather golfers and non-golfers alike in a celebration that exemplifies the motto of the Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation – Celebrate, Give, Remember.
In recognizing the many individuals and groups who helped make the event a reality, Kruse relate a unique telephone call he received on his way to the banquet. The caller asked how much the banquet cost to host – from the rental of the lodge to the food served.
“Doug Libla was wanting to be here and could not make it. He is paying for the facility and the food to everyone’s ticket money will go directly to families. That’s just one bill we won’t have to pay and it’s kind of overwhelming to get a call like that,” he said.
Kruse paid tribute to local Elks for the “teamwork and hospitality” each year with the banquet.
“We are constantly amazed at the compassion and generosity of this community and beyond,” he said.
Incredible volunteers who put heart and soul in the organization are the reason for it’s success, Kruse said.
“They are the reason why we gave $153,000 in love offerings,” he said. “They are the reason why we’ve given away $753,000 over the last 11 yeas. And it’s just going to be a year or two, and we’ll give away our one-millionth dollar. And that’s overwhelming.”
Kruse explained that the first group of golfer tee off at 7 a.m., the other 1:30 p.m.
“The only reason we stop is because it gets dark,” he said as the crowd chuckled. “We have 86 four-person teams and that’s 386 golfers on one golf course in one day. And I’m still trying to find another event can do that, because I’ve never heard of it. I’m searching and if anyone finds one that big I want to know about. And if they’re bigger, then we will try to be bigger!”
The 18 Fore Life charity now encompasses more than the golf tournament and banquet. Through the years, Kruse recounted how other events have joined the 18 Fore Life “family” of events, including
- 10 Pins for Life bowling event that raises funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital;
- Birdies for Breast Cancer;
- Ben Kruse Crappie Tournament;
- Hits for Hope volleyball;
- Swing Pink softbll tournament;
- Claus for a Clause;
- 4H t-shirts;
- Becky Dennington’s book, “Me and the Ugly C”
Photo Above: Organizer Scott Kruse speaks at this weekend's Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Banquet, held at the Dexter Elks Lodge. (ShowMe Times photo by Andrew Cato)
