By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
Reading is for … well, the birds!
To be more specific, at Dexter’s Keller Public Library, reading’s for the owls, kids and all kinds of nocturnal creatures during the Summer Reading Program. And during Wednesday’s weekly program at the local library, kids had the chance to “go camping” and learn more about owls and sing old-fashioned campout songs and hear great stories.
This summer, the Keller Library is putting fun and adventure back into summer reading through its annual summer reading program “Dream Big … READ!” Youngsters (and adults, too) enter the transformed library Community Room – changed into a nighttime world filled with a beautiful moon in the western corner, starry skies, and nighttime animals.
The theme this week was “We’re Going On a Campout!” and leaders Rita LeBeau and Delisa Stitz were joined by a team of adults and older kids who helped create a fun nighttime campout world.
A “pep tent” was in the corner, bats were hanging on one wall, and the kids sang old-fashioned camping tunes (remember “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”?), and heard wonderful tales from guest readers Betsy Taylor, Riley Taylor Dillinger and (home on leave from the U.S. Coast Guard) Zach Taylor. Older kids helped with singing, as well as performing a glow-in-the-dark version of Tinikling, a popular dance from the Philippines. Also in Wednesday;s program LeBeau and Stitz were joined by Phil LeBeau for a musical trio, and middle school student Addie Kruse delighted all with a vocal solo.
Youngsters, clustered on the floor (on the Story Hour rug) and on moms’ laps, all sang, clapped, and listened intently to the stories. Every child who checked out a library book at the end of the program was also given a special small pocket flashlight.
According the Library Director Pam Trammell, 163 attended Wednesday’s program.
“Next week were going to have a ‘pajama party’,” said Trammell. “So wear you’re pajamas!”
The theme for next Wednesday’s program is “Pajamarama!” and kids are, indeed encouraged to were their pajamas to the library. The program will begin at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 27. The summer reading program is free and open to all.
Parents and other adults should be advised that parking is available on Park Lane as well as in the historic Old Gym parking lot adjacent to the library.
Photo Above: Young Walker Jarrell enjoyed his time at "We're Going on a Campout" - the Summer Reading Progra event on Wednesday at the Keller Public Library. (ShowMe Times photo by Annabeth Miller)
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
The Dexter Board of Education approved hiring three new faculty members during a special meeting on Tuesday.
District Superintendent Dr. Thomas Sharp announced early Wednesday that board members hired two new teachers and a new high school head volleyball coach during a closed, executive session on Tuesday, as well as accepted the resignation on two staff members.
The board accepted the resignation of Mary Douglas, who was an early childhood aide in the district. In addition, the board accepted the resignation of high school science teacher Lisa Phillips.
Two educators with several years of experience in area school districts were hired to fill two positions in the Dexter district.
Eric Boles was hired as a science teacher in the district. Boles has 14 years of experience in education and has been the principal at Bloomfield High School. He is certified in Social Science, Physical Education, Biology, and Administration. During his career he has taught Chemistry, Physical Science, Life Science, Applied Physics I and II, Anatomy and Physiology, Advanced Physics, Biology I and II, and Physical Education.
Mindy Thurmon was hired as a social studies teacher at T. S. Hill Middle School. She has 15 years experience as a classroom teacher and is certified for all classes, grades 1 through 8. She has taught elementary grades 1, 2, 3 and 4, as well as 5th and 6th grade reading and language arts and grade 7 mathematics.
The board also hired a new head volleyball coach at Dexter High School Tuesday.
Carmen Morgan will be the head volleyball coach. Morgan will assume the role left open by the resignation this spring of Lauren Hutchcraft, who resigned this spring; Hutchcraft will continue her duties as an elementary teacher in the district.
Morgan comes to DHS after a highly successful career as volleyball coach in Clearwater. She led her teams to seven district championships and four state titles. She is currently listed as the A+ coordinator at Clearwater High School.
“Mrs. Morgan is a highly qualified and successful volleyball coach,” Sharp said Wednesday morning.
In other business at the June 19 special meeting, the board established extra-duty salaries for all the coaches and organization sponsors.
The board will meet for its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 28 at the district Administration Building on Brown Pilot Lane.
Natalie Riley welcomed the group and shared her personal feelings about Three Rivers College. Serving as a member of the Three Rivers Endowment Trust Board, Natalie expressed the value and impact that TRC brings to our community prior to her introduction of Dr. Stephenson.
With an incredible passion, Dr. Stephenson stepped to the front of the room sharing with attendees the positive steps of growth the college has taken in the past two years.
Dr. Stephenson's leadership has delivered a strong vision for the future of Three Rivers College - to reach for a higher calling than just an education. Stephenson seeks a much deeper impact to the lives of students that attend TRC to "Changing Lives | Building Futures".
Three Rivers has seen the effects of this movement through increased enrollment from 3,012 in 2008 to over 4,400 students in 2012. The expansion of campus locations have also brought students the added convenience of local classrooms.
Dr. Stephenson spoke of his desire to establish partnering and collaboration among the college and the communities of the area. The goal of the University is to provide programs that are based upon needs that currently exist and the coursework fills needs that exist in the marketplace.
As a matter of awareness, the group was brought to a better understanding of the needs that are created as TRC continues to grow and expand.
Donations made to the Three Rivers Endowment Trust work to bring benefits to both Three Rivers College and the donor. Gifts can be used for scholarship, program support or general support of the college. Ultimately, the Endowment Trust is dedicated to advancing the mission of the College by raising funds that support the College's students, faculty, staff and programs.
Also on hand for the meeting were Three Rivers Endowment Trust Board members Allen Brooks, Chairman, Emily Parks, Executive Director, H. Riley Bock, Mark Stidham and Brad Smith.
Additional information regarding the Three Rivers Endowment Trust can be found on the TRC website or by clicking this link; http://www.trcc.edu/development/endowment.php.
You can also contact the Office of Development at:
ShowMe Times Editor
In what has become an on-going problem in the city, vandals have once again struck a Dexter city park.
Parks and Recreation Supt. Lawson Metcalf reported to the Board of Aldermen on Monday evening that vandals were caught on surveillance cameras actually detaching and taking off with the cameras from the public restrooms at East City Park. The incident occurred around midday on Sunday.
Metcalf reported the video recordings showed the vandals detaching the cameras from the building. Three cameras were taken in this latest round of vandalism, valued at approximately $500. The video has been delivered to the Dexter Police Department for investigation.
“They looked to me that they were in their 20’s” Metcalf said when asked about the vandals’ age. He reported the suspects were white males. “The downside of it is that we got a decent picture of a vehicle, and it appears that it didn’t have a front license plate.”
“I can’t believe that mid-day on Sunday somebody didn’t see something,” said City Administrator Mark Stidham. “In broad daylight!”
Metcalf said the video shows a motorcycle and a car drove by while the vandals were taking the camera down from the restroom.
“Seems like the restrooms have been a target here this year,” Metcalf said. Reports of vandalism at the public restrooms were reported at both East and West parks earlier this year.
Mischief at the Park
Metcalf also reported patrons at the West City Park have complained lately about rowdy young people.
“There has been an on-going problem this year in the West Park with a lot of mischief going on, a lot of young people up there, a lot of cursing, a lot of vulgarity, a lot of indecent gestures. I’ve had numerous complaints from people that enjoy using the walking trail in the evening. Some people have even told me they are going to quit going up there because of the activity going on,” Metcalf said.
The police have been notified of the situation, Metcalf reported and several arrests have been made and citations issued at the park.
‘They are trying to get a grip on the situation,” he said. “It’s out of control.”
Metcalf said they do not want the actions of the young people to discourage walkers from using the walking track at the park.
Stidham said the recent arrests were older teens, from age 16 through 19.
Police Chief Sammy Stone said that teens age 16 and younger would be referred to country juvenile authorities; those 17 and older would come under City jurisdiction.
“We’ve got two real nice parks that are being taken over by ruffians,” said Alderman Kirby Taylor. “Can’t let them take over these parks. They’re too good.”
Police officers – including officers in plain clothes – will be stationed at the park to hopefully put a stop to the activities. Stidham said the officers would be able to issue citations and make arrests.
Link Of Interest
Photo Above: City Department chiefs discuss with aldermen problems with vandalism in city parks. Department heads include (from left) Tom Espy, Lawson Metcalf, and Jeff Myers (ShowMe Times photo by Annabeth Miller)
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMeTimesEditor
Back before a hometown crowd after his work in the Missouri State Senate, State Senator Rob Mayer officially declared his plans to leave the world of legislative politics in Missouri’s capitol to seek a seat on the judicial bench in the Bootheel.
On Monday, Mayer kicked-off his campaign for the 35th Circuit Judge, serving Stoddard and Dunklin counties. He officially announced his candidacy back in February at the Stoddard County Republican Lincoln Day banquet.
Mayer, a Republican, has served 12 years in the legislative branch of state government, in the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate; Mayer was “term-limited” by the state’s constitution, and unable to seek another legislative term in Jefferson City. During his last two years in the state Senate, Mayer served as the Senate President Pro Tem, one of the most powerful leadership positions in state government.
The 35th Circuit has been served by Judge Stephen Sharp of Kennett for a number of years. Sharp announced last year his plans to retire and not seek another term on the bench.
“It’s always nice to see friends,” Mayer said to a room full of supporters at the luncheon at the Hickory Log in Dexter. Many in the room have been loyal Mayer supporters since his first campaign for the state House of Representatives in 2000. “It’s good to be back home. You all have been gracious and supportive for my 12 years in the legislature; you have been so good and gone the extra mile.”
Mayer spoke about the many races on this November’s General Election ballot, with everything from U.S. President, to Missouri’s statewide officials and U.S. Senator to be decided by voters.
“I believe this circuit judge race is very important,” he commented. “You all know that a judge plays a very important part in our democratic system of government. A circuit judge will rule on cases dealing with family law, criminal cases, and various other civic cases that will involve a wide range of legal issues.”
Missouri’s circuit courts are courts of original civil and criminal jurisdiction. The state is organized into 45 judicial circuits. Circuit judges are elected by popular vote for six-year terms.
“Most Americans want a judge who is respectful, who is fair and impartial, who has the highest degree of honestly. And that’s the type of judge I’ll strive to be,” Mayer told the crowd.
His wife, Nancy, introduced Mayer to the hometown crowd.
Mayer is a Dexter native, and graduated in 1975 from Dexter High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University and his law degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. He was first elected in 2000 to the House of Representatives and in 2004 was elected to the State Senate. He and his wife Nancy have three sons, Justin, Dustin and Daniel.
Mayer has no opponent on the GOP ballot in the August primary election. He will face Democrat Stephen Mitchell of Dexter, who currently serves as Associate Judge in Stoddard County.
Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor,contributed to this report.
Photo Above: Rob Mayer, candidate for the Circuit Judge in the 35th judicial circuit that includes Stoddard and Dunklin counties, speaks to supporters at a campaign kick-off luncheon on Monday. (ShowMe Times Photo by Andrew Cato)
