Zach Hedrick, SMT Writer
5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday
With the 12th Annual golf tournament the previous weekend, it didn't take long for a new inspiration to hit the group. And as usual, the ideas are spontaneous and creative. But more so, the new activities are an inspired idea that are searches for a way to become involved and make a contribution. The most recent 18 Fore Life Banquet featured an incredible video highlighting the wide variety of events held by the Foundation to include the long time projects of the golf tournament, the banquet and the 10 Pins for Ben bowling tournament. Also featured were several new events for 2011 such as the 18 Fore Life Crappie Tournament, Julie Dodd's Claus for a Cause event and the T. S. Hill Middle School Inspired "Dig Pink" Volleyball and "Hits For Hope" contests, to name a few.
These events are simply an opportunity where both young and old are given a chance to become involved and contribute to those in need. They are filled with fun and great memories, but participants share in the accomplishments of delivering kindness, love and help to those hurting and in need.
The Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation is in fact More Than Just a Golf Tournament - so what happens when a new idea surfaces? A call is quickly made to Scott Kruse who, with an excited tone in his voice says, "What else could I say but yes?".
Sometimes, the opportunity is thrust upon the Foundation at breakneck speed. Miller's Extravaganza Shows hit town last Friday afternoon in search of a location in Dexter. Within a couple of hours, the agreement had been reached that the carnival would partner with the 18 Fore Life Foundation to have an incredible week of big fun, great food and fantastic memories, while raising funds for the charity all in the same event.
Dana Adams, of Montgomery Bank, was quick to capture the idea that this event could become an annual event and broadened in coming years to include other activities. Ideas have been kicked around such as an 18 Fore Life BBQ Contest, an 18 Fore Life Music Festival, and even a dress up Mardi Gras Night. So there is great hope that attendance this year will be an encouragement for future activities that will be planned for 2013.
Even as easy as this event may appear with the support of Miller's Extravaganza Shows, there are always those that kick in a little extra effort on this short of notice. And a special thanks goes out to:
- Ryan Duley of A Cut Above Lawn Care: for quickly mowing and preparing the lot for the Miller team to setup.
- Scott Rankin of SEMO Land Design: for pitching in last minute to fill the "duck ponds" and deep tire ruts.
- Dana Adams & Scott Nelson of Montgomery Bank: for their quick planning, promotional activities and willingness to plan for the future.
- Alan Hedrick, Jason Comfort & the County Wide Insurance Crew: for their willingness to say "Yes" and contribute to the great community of Dexter.
Celebrate | Give | Remember
"One week after one of the largest and most successful events in our history," event organizer Scott Kruse said. "We still have names of people on our list that need help. So yes, yes, yes ... let's have a Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Carnival!"
The weather promises to be great the remainder of the week. This is a great opportunity for you to gather up your kids, your grandkids or your neighbor kids and come to the 1st Annual Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Carnival. You will be able to CELEBRATE a great time, GIVE to a worthy cause and make memories you will always REMEMBER!!
By Taylor Eggimann,
ShowMe Times Contributing Writer
The first annual Rockin’ For Racks breast cancer benefit, hosted by Matt Harris and the Chris Welch Band, is scheduled for 2 to 11 p.m., Saturday, June 9. at the Boathouse Winery in Bloomfield.
Rebekah Northern will take the stage at 2 p.m., followed by Maggie Thorn at 3 p.m., with the group Salvation at 4 p.m. The evening will be rounded out by Crossed Timbers at 5:30 p.m., and the Chris Welsh Band will close the show at 8 p.m.
T-shirts will be available for $15, and Bernie resident Becky Dennington will be doing a signing of her book "Me and the Ugly C". Various items will also be raffled off throughout the day.
"Tell everyone you know; friends, family, and coworkers, and come on out to the Boathouse Winery to help give cancer a fight," said project organizers.
Exciting plans are being finalized for the 11th annual Tour de Corn bicycle ride on the 23rd of June in East Prairie Missouri. The event has continued to grow each year and has become very popular with many area riders.
The event is a fun bicycle ride for all ages and all levels of cyclists. Tour de Corn is known as a flat, easy ride and offers multiple choices of distance. So participants are able to pick from four routes: 15, 30, 65 and 100 miles. All routes are on state highways, in rural agricultural areas. The terrain is a little more challenging with some rolling hills on the 100-mile route.
The 10 rest stops are of particular interest to the cyclist as volunteers shuck over 1,200 ears of sweet corn and bake over 70 dozen cookies to be ready for the event. These all important rest stops are well-stocked to rejuvenate energy levels of the cyclist.
The event is also fun for the non-riders as well. Beginning on Friday night (June 22), the City of East Prairie welcomes visitors to the event opening Main Street Party. The evening will include live entertainment, plenty of food choices, fun for the kids and so much more.
Registration is available online at http://www.tourdecorn.com/?page_id=141. and is $25.00 for each rider. This is a rain or shine
The Tour de Corn began when a local cyclist, Mike Bryant, had the idea of starting a charity ride in East Prairie. Mike approached the East Prairie Tourism organization in 2001 and with the help of a friends, interested citizens and a committee of local cyclists gathered to form the Tour de Corn Committee.
With 10 years of successful rides complete, the event has continued to grow from 175 riders in 2002 to over 800 in 2011!
The Tour de Corn is marked as a ride and not a race. Participants are encouraged to ride at a rate appropriate to the individual cyclist training level.
You will also find a treat of a spaghetti lunch available after the ride at Family Life Center. The meal will begin at 10:30 a.m until 2:30 p.m.
Many ShowMe Times readers (and cyclist) will be involved with the Tour de Corn event. Make plans to join them on the ride or just show up to watch this great event in East Prairie.
