There will be two seatings for the event: a noon luncheon and a 6 p.m. dinner. Both will feature a holiday meal and musical Christmas show featuring college President Dr. Devin Stephenson and band, Three Rivers Choral Ensemble, and narration by Bill and Connie Hampton.
Tickets are $30 each, and seating is limited to 110 people per seating. To reserve tickets by credit card, call 573-840-9662. Reserved tables of six or eight are available.
“Three Rivers is fortunate to have so many talented people,” said Tinnin Center Director Robert Cook. “This event will show off that talent while raising funds for scholarships and the college music and theatre programs.”
He said guests will be greeted with a cup of hot holiday cider, then proceed to a traditional holiday dinner catered by Rebecca Sharp.
Bill and Connie Hampton, coordinators of the Three Rivers Centers at Dexter and Malden, respectively, and known for their media voices and quick wit, will be narrators telling the story of Christmas and holiday tales, Cook said.
Three Rivers music students will be featured in the Choral Ensemble.
“Our students love performance opportunities and this is especially important to them since it will raise money for the music department,” said Choral Instructor Cindy White.
Dr. Stephenson will perform music from his new CD, "The Gift 2", which is the third album in a project to raise funds for scholarships. Dr. Stephenson will play piano backed by musicians who performed on the CD.
“This will be a wonderful, entertaining event that will be a holiday treat with the added advantage of raising money for Three Rivers students, through a scholarship program and the theater and music programs,” Stephenson said.
As part of this event, Center Stage, which is the Three Rivers theatre program, will be donating 10 Christmas trees that will be adopted and decorated by Three Rivers student clubs and organizations. After the “Christmas Miracles” event, the trees will be donated to area families in need through the Boys & Girls Club in Poplar Bluff.
“This is our way at Center Stage to give back to the families who come to our productions and support the theatre programs here at Three Rivers,” Cook said.
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.
Jessica Snider, SMT Writer
In the month of December where the temperatures drop and Christmas shopping begins, Rachel Putnam has the spotlight as she is the ShowMe Calendar Girl.
Rachel was an attendant in the 2012 Miss Dexter Pageant which is sponsored every year by the Choral Music Department at Dexter High School.
Rachel is the fifteen-year-old daughter of Denny and Shannon Putnam. Rachel is the sophomore class president and also a member of the Showstoppers of Southeast Missouri.Rachel Putnam is a Varsity Football Cheerleader, a member of the Kickin’ Cats Dance Team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and FCCLA. The top twelve girls from the pageant are featured monthly as the Calendar Girls.
Photo courtesy of Shannon Putnam
Written by
Jessica Snider, SMT Writer
Joseph Greer has been playing the piano since he was nine years old. Greer has an amazing musical talent that has been recognized by many people who know him.
From playing in talent shows, private events, and now being the number one piano player in the state of Missouri, Greer’s talent and love for music has only grown.
He started taking piano lessons when he was just nine years old. Greer moved from Nashville, Tennessee to Dexter the same year his teacher from San Jose, California moved here. It didn’t take long for Greer to get the hang of making music out of the piano keys.
Greer has been very active in Jazz Band at school and his freshman and junior years of high school he made second at state. Greer was determined to be first his senior year.
Once one makes the district jazz band from their area, they are then qualified to compete for the state jazz band. The state band is made up of highly talented high school students.
Only one piano player can be taken for the state band, and there were a larger number of hopefuls. The judges do call backs after everyone auditions. It is narrowed down to the top four piano players, and then they are put into combos made up of drums, bass, guitar, and piano. The call back audition was made up of two songs that they were supposed to have prepared and then they were also asked to sight-read.
Greer noted, “You’re given four songs and you’re free to interpret them however you want as long as you don’t change them too much.”
It was about four hours of waiting after callbacks when Greer realized that his goal had been accomplished. Greer was pretty confident in his performance, but it was still a nerve-racking wait for him. He knew he wanted to make first, but it wasn’t until he saw his name that he really believed it.
Not only did Joseph Greer want first for himself, but he also wanted to make his father proud. Right before Greer went into the audition, his father sent him a text message that said, “I’m proud of you.”
Greer has stated that he’s not sure what he would like to do in the future. He wants to do law or maybe medical field. Greer even joked about bringing the grand into the courtroom or hospital.
Joseph Greer’s talent is truly one of a kind and has blessed many ears that have heard him play.
We want to congratulate Joseph on an awesome job and also wish him good luck in all his future endeavors!
Written by
Jessica Snider, SMT Writer
Saturday, December 1st, a few members of the Heartland Strings went around to various nursing homes and played for the residents at the facilities.
The group is directed by Miriam Brehmer and she teaches her students Suzuki Strings. Her main focus of teaching within the group is the violin.
The Heartland Strings could be spotted out and about on Saturday as they traveled to Cypress Point and also made it to Central Gardens Residential Care Facility in Dexter.
When the group arrived at Central Gardens, it was just around lunch time so they had a large audience as they performed. The group’s performance consisted of Christmas music that almost everyone knows. The residents enjoyed this special visit very much and loved getting to hear the music being played from the violins.
Miriam Brehmer has twenty students that she teaches. Although not all were present Saturday, there were still enough to make a joyous sound!
The members of Heartland Strings that were present on Saturday were: Tony Wood, Lauren Wood, and Anthony Wood from Campbell; Allison Statler from Bloomfield; and Sarah Grummert, Stacy Grummert, Tatiana Cox, and Dakota Cox all of Dexter.
The group known as “Heartland Strings” consists of many local talented musicians. It takes a special talent for one to be able to pick up a violin and make beautiful music, but these people can do just that!
They are a joy to listen to and made the days of a lot of residents with their visits on Saturday!
SMT Writer
"The neat part is that people come because they want to, not
because they feel they have to," commented Greg Mathis, event organizer. "The weather, The Crowley Ridge Mennonite
Choir and curosity attributed to the large turnout."
"Many folks have wondered what we do at "The Reading", and finally worked it into their schedule to be a part of it," added Mathis.
The sounds of Christmas carols and the aroma of warming campfires filled the air as attendees entered the event. What is normally a vacant lot along the busy downtown street transforms itself into an incredible sanctuary that fans of the Christmas season gather to mark the true "meaning for the season".
This year's holiday event was the fourth annual gathering coordinated by Greg and Lisa Mathis. Originating as a way to continue meaningful family tradition, the Mathis family saw this as an opportunity to share the gift of The Christmas Story with neighbors, friends, as well as family in a meaningful way. The Christmas Reading is open to everyone, and the crowd has continued to grow each year.
"We initially started this with decorations and a lighted tree on the lot next door, then the next year we added the large Christmas cards displayed around the tree" noted Mathis. A very simple idea of holiday decorations was influenced by a wonderful lady of faith, June Coffey. Unknown by others, Mrs.Coffey was a devoted Christian lady that quietly offered her gifts to the Dexter community and her church through sacrificial service. Mrs. June's example of love, kindness and service influenced many throughout the area.
The event remains very simple with cookies, cider, decorations, Christmas carols and the reading of Luke Chapter 2. However, the simplicity of the agenda carries forward the very essence of the meaning of Christmas and family traditions.
"I always remember my mother-in-law, June Coffey, would read the Christmas story every year," recounted Greg Mathis. "She has dealt with Alzheimer's for the past ten years but, we felt that we could continue her tradition through this event."
Attendees received a special treat this year with the acapella musical sounds of the Crowley Ridge Mennonite Choir. A large group of men and women of all ages, the sounds of Christmas that filled the air along Stoddard Street were emotionally moving.
This year's agenda was notably a family affair for the Mathis family as the "reader" for the evening was announced by Greg Mathis. Greg shared that the event was a very special time, and the selection of the annual reader was not taken lightly. "They (the reader) can't be a preacher or a politician," noted Mathis.
Mathis then began to share of a man of honor and an example of Godliness, his father-in-law, Bob Coffey. Bob's life of leadership through his Savior Jesus Christ has been a trail of spiritual growth. From his many years as a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church to the mission fields of Haiti, Bob has been the type of person to allow his life to become a testimony to others and to his family. Like his wife June, Bob has been a quiet servant that humbly works for the betterment of others.
Jokingly, Mathis commented, "I don't know how a man can be that good and get the three son-in-laws he got, but that is proof that God has a sense of humor."
In his deep distinctive voice, Bob Coffey began to read the 2nd Chapter of Luke to the crowd, versus 1 through 14:
Luke 2 - The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place whilea]">[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Following the reading of the 2nd Chapter of Luke, Greg's son Aaron Mathis was called to the podium to offer the Christmas prayer for the group. With family being the crystal point of the evening, Aaron represented one of four generations that surrounded him for the prayer with his grandfather Bob Coffey, his mother Lisa Mathis and this new addition to the family, Harper Anne Mathis. Harper is the newborn daughter of Aaron and Brittney.
"Having Bob and Aaron involved this year was certainly special for my family," acknowledged Mathis. "My wife had know idea that her father was the reader and that I asked Aaron to have the closing prayer. I promise not to push my family on those who attend again."
"I already have everything in place for next year, which will be our 5th annual," Mathis shared. "We have gone from 50 in attendance to over 300, in a very short time and appreciate all those who help and attended."
"My family wishes all of Stoddard County and all of the ShowMe Times readers a very Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year!"
