Dexter, Missouri - The second week of the Dexter Park and Rec football program was held this past Saturday with plenty of football action and fun.   The football action began at 9:00 AM with 4 games held at Charles "Seed" Bland Stadium in Dexter.

The first game was held with the junior varsity Red Team, coached by Derek Driskill, taking on the Blue Team, coached by Nate Stevens.  Both of these 3rd and 4th grade teams are filled with great speedy athletes and were able to provide fast moving fun for the fans.  It was a high scoring game with the Blue Team coming out on top by a score of 44 to 13. 

The second game of the JV was much different.  The Green and Black Teams are both filled with equally good players but go about it in a different way.  Defense rules the game plan of each of these teams coaches.

"If they don't score (pause)," trumpeted Coach Jason Comfort.  To which his team responds in unison "They Don't Win!" 

Long sustaining drives and good defense by both teams ended this game with the Black Team earning their first victory of the season by a score of 7 to 0.

The varsity teams of the 5th and 6th graders were just as exciting.  The Blue Team's offense was quick to go to work and defeated the Red Team by a score of 0-25. 

The Black Team vs the Green Team was a unique defensive battle with neither team able to reach the endzone for a score.  The game ended with a score of 0 to 0.

More game details will be available next week for these games.

Bloomfield Missouri- As the sun shined down over the the rolling hills of Bloomfield, the Missouri Veterans Cemetery hosted their annual Veterans Fishing Day.  The veterans travel to Bloomfield from the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau for a day of fishing and fun. 

This event is coordinated and sponsored by the American Legion Kenady-Hanks Post #59.  Many members of the group are on hand to help and assist their special guests bait and hopefully "catch that big one that always gets away."

It was a beautiful day for fishing and the 12 veterans that were on hand for the event were successful in their attempts, catching several bluegill and one big catfish.

After the veterans hauled in their "catch of the day", members of the American Legion Post prepared dinner for the entire group.

"An event like this takes a lot work and the men from Kenady-Hanks Post #59 did a great job as always." said Marine Veteran Tom Love.

Pictured above are just some of the people that made this great event happen. Some of the men who assisted in the cooking of this wonderful meal were, Jim Russell, Bob Mayer, and Bryan Dowdy.

This event is always a hit with the veterans as it gives them a chance to get out and enjoy the wonderful fall weather.  It is an appropriate way for this group of veterans to honor those that have served our great country in the past. 

"We also have a hunting trip planned with the veterans soon," commented Mr. Tom Love from Kenady-Hanks #59.  "These guys they are really looking  forward to that event as well."

Dexter, Missouri - A big weekend got underway for Dexter Parks and Recreation Little League Football program this weekend.  After weeks of preparation and practices, both the junior varsity and varsity teams gathered at Charles "Seed" Bland Stadium beginning at 9:30 AM this morning. 

It was equally a long day for Amy Ellinghouse photography, who was on hand to take team pictures throughout the day.  All the young athletes were looking their best, proudly sporting their team colors. 

The junior varsity teams were slated for the first two games of the day.  The first contest pitted the Black Team against the Red Team at 9:30 this morning.  It was a battle that ended in a 6 to 6 tie score. 

The Red Team was first to get on the scoreboard with a long run from scrimmage by Austin Daniels.  The PAT failed making the score 6 to 0 in favor of the Red. 

In the second half, the Red Team took possession of the ball first but were unable to advance the ball against the tough Black Team defense.  The Black Team offense began to grind the ball down the field with short yardage gains eventually ending in a 4-yard run by the Black Team.  Their PAT also failed.

With one final opportunity, the Red Team took the ball in the final quarter and was unable to get a first down.  They turned the ball over on downs, where the Black Team simply ran out the clock to settle for the tie score. 

The second junior varsity game had the Blue Team against the Green Team.  On the first play from scrimmage, the Green Team quarterback, Condict, tossed a beautiful pass over the middle to his receiver, Dylan Sitze.  Sitze scampered 60-yards for a touchdown.  The Blue Team battled back on the next serious to even the score with a long sustaining offensive drive. 

The game remained a battle throughout the contest.  The Blue Teams powerful running back powers his way down the field and tough for opponents to contain.  The game ended with the Blue Team winning by a narrow margin of 14 to 13. 

The Varsity games got underway at 12:30 and 2:00 PM.  These teams were scheduled to play the same match ups as the Junior Varsity games; Red Team vs Black Team at 12:30 and Green Team vs Blue Team at 2:00 PM. 

The Varsity Black and Varsity Blue Teams won those contests.

BELOW:  Pictures show the Green Team QB completing a pass to this wide receiver for a touchdown in the opening play of the Green and Blue Junior Varsity game.

Article Submitted by

SMT Contributing Writer

Beth Farrah

The annual Stoddard County Parade will take place on Tuesday, September 18^th, in downtown Dexter. The parade will kick off the Stoddard County Fair that also begins on September 18^th and ends on September 22^nd. There are numerous additions to both the fair and parade this year that the community will find beneficial and entertaining.

 

The Stoddard County Parade has many new entries, including different political floats. Just like recent years, the parade will host a marching band competition that bands across Stoddard County can participate in. The Puxico Rhythm Steppers will be leading this year’s parade after winning first place in the band competition in 2011.

 

The fair offers a lot of new events that will take place at 7:00pm each night (September 18^th-22^nd): The Robinson Chainsaw Wood Carvers, Magic Mike (a magician), and a puppet show. The fair also has new performers including two local talents and three others performers.

 

The Chris Welch Band will kick off this year’s entertainment on Tuesday, September 18^th.  The local band The Walker Brothers, gospel and country singers, will play on Wednesday night, September 19^th. Six Appeal, an acappella group, will perform on Thursday night, September 20^th. Rickie Lee Tanner will return to the fair this year, performing in Friday night, September 21^st. Keith Morrison will perform on Saturday, September 22^nd. All performances will take place at 8:00pm in the amphitheater.

 

Right after the parade finishes on Tuesday, there will be a Queen’s Contest for high school girls who wish to participate in the local pageant. The “Chicken Scramble” and other games for the youth will be held after the pageant. The amusement park rides and game booths will also officially open.

 

On Wednesday, the sheep and goats will be judged. Church services will also be held at 6:00pm in the amphitheater.

 

Thursday night is Bracelet Night. You can purchase this bracelet for $20 and it will allow you to ride all the carnival rides from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Thursday is another big night with three events taking place at 8:00pm: the FFA Tractor Rodeo, Six Appeal concert, and Karaoke.

 

Friday’s events include the Antique Tractor Pull, Karaoke, and the Robinson’s Chainsaw Wood Carvers Auction.

 

Saturday’s events begin bright and early at 8:00am for the 4H Buyer’s Breakfast. The 4H and FFA Livestock Auction will take place right after breakfast. The Stoddard County Youth Pageant will be held in the amphitheater at 11:00am. There are also youth events that allow kids of all ages to divide up into different teams and compete against each other in many fun games. The Wild Horse Fiddlers, a group of local musicians, will perform in the amphitheater. The Demo Derby will also take place on Saturday night.  The Stoddard County Fair will end this year with a big firework show that will begin at 9:00pm on September 22^nd. Tickets are currently available at Gary’s Quick Stop in Dexter.

 

Mark your calendars and be sure not to miss this great and exciting week!

Below are pictures from last years 2011 Stoddard County Parade!  See it live this year by attending.