Written by
Jessica Snider, SMT Writer
Today the annual KDEX “Coats for Kids” campaign got underway. The program is very active every year and helps many people in need during the holidays.
The Stoddard County Gospel Mission is very low on goods this year and as always, could use your help! It doesn’t take long or even much effort, and you could majorly affect a whole family’s life this winter.
Classes at Central Elementary School in Dexter are collecting coats, which will be distributed by the Stoddard County Gospel Mission. The “Coats for Kids” campaign will run through December 20th.
The classes have turned things into a competition in order to motivate kids to bring in new or good used coats for donation. The winning classes at Central Elementary will receive Pizza Hut pizza parties.
Not only can you help by donating coats, but canned goods are also being collected. The Stoddard County Gospel Mission will also distribute the cans that are collected. Both the cans and coats which are collected by people throughout the community will be evenly distributed to people who are less fortunate around the area.
This is just one of the many ways you can get involved to help people in the community. It doesn’t take much to take a look through your closet or the pantry to find something you don’t plan on using. Maybe it’s a coat you’ve outgrown or extra canned food in the pantry; either way, you’re sure to change someone’s life with this small gesture.
Not only can you drop the coats and cans off at Central Elementary School, but Harps in Dexter will also be available for drop off.
Never forget how blessed we truly are and also remember there are people who have never had the feeling of being warm through the winter season. With your simple, kind gesture, you will extend love into many hearts this season.
You still have about three weeks left until the KDEX “Coats for Kids” campaign comes to an end for 2012. This program has been going on for over fifteen years and has touched many lives throughout the community.
If you plan on donating coats or canned goods, remember you can donate to Central Elementary School or also Harps, both are located in Dexter.
Not only will you feel good about your gesture, but you will put a smile on many faces who are in need this year!
Jessica Snider, SMT Writer
While the Thanksgiving holiday has just come to a close, many of us could still be full from all the food that was partaken it. Okay, probably not still full, but most people definitely had enough to eat!
Have you ever stopped to wonder how many people around this area didn’t get a meal for Thanksgiving? Not only just on Thanksgiving, but some people right here in our own community don’t even get regular meals.
We often take for granted how lucky we are. Even if you’re someone who recognizes that there are needy people all around us, maybe you’re wondering how you can help this year.
Although it is very sad that things like this happen, fortunately, there is a very easy way you can get involved! It has been announced that the Stoddard County Mission is very low on food. This is awful to hear about, but even worse right here close to the holidays.
If you’re someone who wishes to help, you have a big chance to get involved tomorrow. The Modern Woodmen Youth Clubs will be stuffing a truck for the Stoddard County Mission.
The “truck-stuffing” will take place from 3:15-4:00 P.M. tomorrow, November 28th. The event will be held at the Town and Country Supermarket in Bloomfield.
The Youth Club asks that you stop by and help fill the truck in any way you possibly can! The club will also have a table set up inside Town and Country.
This is a great and easy way for those who wish to get involved but aren’t sure what they can do to help. Stuff A Truck is a wonderful thing and it will affect a lot of people right here in the community throughout this holiday season.
Help spread the love and stuff a truck!
Girl Scout Missouri Heartland Service Unit 675 of Dexter is holding a "Share the Warmth" clothing drive. You can participate in the drive by bringing anything that is able to keep you warm in the cold weather, such as: gloves, blankets, socks, hats, coats, scarves, or other pieces of clothing that are often used during the winter. They are asking for new clothes, not previously worn or dirtied, so that the recipient will get newer and cleaner items.
The adult items that are collected will be given to local nursing homes all over Stoddard County and will be greatly appreciated by the people receiving these particular items. The items that are for the children will be donated to children in need, children’s homes, and public schools across the county. With cold weather creeping in and winter coming close, it is important that each child has a coat to keep them warm, even if their family is not able to afford it.
The clothing drive will be held on December 1st from nine o’clock in the morning until noon at the Girl Scout’s Office in Dexter. Be sure not to miss the fun festivities taking place after all the donations are collected. You can stick around and play games, make arts and crafts, eat snacks and baked goods, and grab a cup of hot chocolate or other warm drink.
This is a great way to reach out to the community but it is an act that will need a lot of support. We hope that you can come out and support the Girl Scouts so that this will be a very successful and helpful event.
Aleshia Flowers
Dexter, Missouri - The annual Veterans Day event held at the Bearcat Event Center transpired Monday, November 12th. Each year the ceremony is sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Members of the general public and the entire Dexter Public Schools student body were in attendance. The event pays tribute to local and national veterans as well as serves as an opportunity for today’s youth to become more aware of the role veterans play in each American’s life.
Several distinguished speakers addressed the crowd through the presentation. Da Airman Darryl LaPierre, American Legion Post 59 Commander, spoke of his military experiences in the “chrome dome” flying “hot” planes by the poles in Alaska.
When Dr. Roger Alsup asked LaPierre to explain to the crowd why he chose to serve in the armed forces, LaPierre noted his love of freedom, love of country, and love of service were his driving forces. LaPierre stated that four of the city’s police officers and one of the city’s firefighters were retired military. He noted that over six thousand veterans reside in Stoddard County. These men and women are proud to continue serving the public beyond the terms of their enlistment. Scott Rybodt directed the DHS Band in a medley entitled “A Tribute to the Armed Services.” The medley included the theme song of each branch of the armed forces and veterans as well as enlisted military stood in honor while their respective anthem was in tune.
The Sisler-Eskew-Parker Monument Wreath Presentation to Delois Gales, American Legion Auxiliary member, was conducted by Dr. Tom Sharp, Dexter Schools Superintendent. The assembly concluded with a moment of silence for the playing of “Taps” and retiring of the colors.
The active participation of the student body in the events leading up to yesterday’s ceremony allowed students to gain appreciation for the armed services. Students in various grade levels participated in several activities designed to accentuate the Veterans Day program.
June Lawrence, the art teacher at Central Elementary, along with Sheila Alsup, representative for the American Legion Auxiliary, hosted a fifth grade poster contest. Applicants were asked to design an all-original poster representing Veterans Day.
SPC Katie Alsup addressed each classroom with details regarding the competition. Katie lent knowledge of the history and importance of US Veterans. Alsup states, “It is amazing to see the hard work the kids put into their posters. For some students, the poster contest has allowed them to explore the history of veterans in their own family. I feel it is important to instill gratitude and respect for our veterans at a young age.”
While each fifth grade student participated, only a select few works of art were chosen as honorable mentions. One winner from each classroom was then selected as a winner. Classroom winners were announced at the event; recipients were as follows: Hayden Hillis, Spencer Warren, Jayden Cato, Sebastian Conner, Shay Baker, Ann Marie Long, Rebecca Trough, and Netee Patel.
Eighth graders prepared for the Veterans Day event by participating in an essay contest. Melinda Sweeny, eighth grade teacher, assisted in organizing the essay competition. Each student was asked to write an essay in the theme “Freedoms I Enjoy Most.” Maci Urhahn was awarded second place for her submission and Kelly Ash was given third place for her composition.
However, the essay written by Olivia Sitze entitled “Freedom of Assembly” stood out above the crowd, winning first place. Sitze was asked to read her amazing essay at the Veterans Day ceremony. Many were moved by her thoughtful words of gratitude for the freedoms American veterans had given her. Sitze will continue on to be a contender in the state wide essay contest.
Programs such as these allow our youth to better understand the commendable role American veterans play in ensuring out protection and freedom. We look forward to next year’s event!
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Elks Lodge #2439 Hoop Shoot competition will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, at T. S. Hill Middle School in Dexter.
Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the Hoop Shoot contest will begin at approximately 10 a.m. The public can watch the event at no charge.
The event is a free-throw shooting contest open to all boys and girls ages 8-13. Contestants will be assigned an age-group based on the age that they will be on April 1, 2013. Contestants must be 8 years old by April 1, 2013, to participate and can only participate in one Lodge contest.
All information of the Hoop Shoot was sent out to five schools: Dexter, Richland, Puxico, Bloomfield, and Bernie. The information was sent out by the Elks Lodge and then received by the coaches at the each of the five high schools. Participants should get with their coaches in order to get signed up for the contest.
The Hoop Shoot contest is arranged in two divisions, one for boys and one for girls, in age categories 8-9, 10-11, and 12-13. In the 8-9 boys age division, the 28.5 boys basketball will be used in the competition. In the 10-11 and 12-13 age divisions, a regulation-size basketball will be used. All girls age groups will use the girls regulation-size basketball.
All contestant will be allowed 10-minutes to warm up time prior to competing. Boys and girls in the 8-9 age category may shoot from a line four feet in front of the regulation foul line.
The event director will determine the shooting order by random drawing of names. The contest score consists of the total of made free throws out of 25 total shots. Each contestant may have up to five warm-up shots if desired and will then shoot 10 shots for their official score. After the other contestants have finished their 10 shots, the contestant will then shoot 15 shots to complete their 25 shots for a final score
Additional rules contestants should be aware of are:
- Contestants cannot bounce the ball more than four times between shots. If the ball is bounced more than four times, a penalty occurs and the shot is void.
- Contestants must stay behind the foul line until the ball has touched the hoop, backboard or net. The penalty for a line violation is the loss of a basket, if made.
- Only contestants, officials and scorers are allowed on the floor during the contest.
- All contestants must wear gym shoes and gym clothes (t-shirt with pants or gym shorts) to compete.
The six Dexter Elks champions, one boy and one girl in each age group, will advance to the District Hoop Shoot contest. From there winners continue on to the state finals on February 2nd at Windsor High School in Imperial, MO.
State winners progress to the three-state regional competition on March 9th in Paris, TN. The national finals will be held on April 20th in Springfield, Massachusetts.
For more information, contact the membership of the Dexter Elks Lodge via email at bpoe2439@newwavecomm.net.
