Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer

Dexter, Missouri – The Stoddard County Genealogy Society met on Monday, January 14, 2013 at the Hickory Log for their annual awards banquet. 

Installation of officers was held and the winner of the M.A. Hart Volunteer Award for Society Volunteer was also announced.

Officers are Shirley Carney, President; Frances Moore, Vice-President; Lynda Stewart, Secretary and Rick Young, Treasurer.

This year’s recipient was Lynda Stewart who has been an active member of the Stoddard County Genealogy Society since 2005. Presenting the award was M. A. Hart and Frances Moore.

Lynda has served as the Editor of the Society newsletter and Secretary of the organization.  She volunteers in the Genealogy Room at the Keller Public Library and assists the staff with the cataloging and maintenance of the Genealogy Collection.  She also assists patrons with their genealogical research.  Lynda helped to organize the Beginning Genealogy Workshop, which was held in June 2012.   She is also helping organize the FamilySearch Workshop that will be held on February 9^th at the Keller Public Library.  

The M.A. Hart Volunteer Award is presented annually to a person who has made outstanding contributions to Genealogy and the preservation of the history of Stoddard County.  We congratulate Lynda Stewart for her endless ability of volunteering her time to this endeavor.

font-family:Verdana">If you would like to know more about Genealogy research the Stoddard County Genealogy Society meets at the Keller Public Library once a month and they have a wonderfully informative Facebook page, www.facebook.com/StoddardCountyGenealogySociety.   

font-family:Verdana">If you are interested in the FamilySearch Workshop, please register by calling the Keller Pubic Library at 624-3764.

On Tuesday afternoon, the heartland experienced an unexpected wintery weather mix. The light snow quickly turned into a slick mess and forced many people to cancel their evening plans and many schools to even close early.

With the roads getting dangerous, many schools had no choice but to cancel the after-school activities for that day. Many basketball games, wrestling matches, etc were cancelled Tuesday evening due to the wintery weather.

ShowMe Times would like to thank you for staying tuned in and checking our website for the closings of some local schools and postponing of high school hoops!

When all the cancellations have a rematch date, we will be glad to let our readers know!

Keep in mind that shall we receive any more winter weather that results in cancellations; the ShowMe Times can be your “go-to” place for any additional information.

Dexter, Missouri - Another fun filled morning at the Keller Public Library in Dexter.  Each Tuesday morning at 10:15,  a story is read by a wonderful guest.  The library story hours are so much fun, even the adults get into the action by singing along with the children.

The library's guest reader this week was Mary Ann Taylor and the kids sure seem to love her.  She is so exuberant and it was a pleasure to hear her reading of "Snow Friends"!  It's about Little Bear who wakes up early from his hibernation and is startled to see the world covered in SNOW!  Unable to find a playmate, he builds a snowman.  Otter and Rabbit are Little Bear's two friends.  The story is just simply too-cute.

There were quite a few children who endured the bitter, cold weather Tuesday morning to be entertained.  They sang, laughed, and a few were even crawling a little as they giggled.  Just good old fashioned fun! 

After they listened to Mrs. Taylor read her book, the children were able to sing more songs and do a little hokey pokey.  Then they all participated in some fun crafting activities by creating their very own snowman.  Some children colored a snowman friend.  Each child was very excited to take their artwork home!

Next week, the Keller Public Library will host "Tacky the Penguin" about a penguin that is somewhat eccentric and marches to the beat of a different drum and it will be read by Kim Cook.  Mark your calendar for 10:15 a.m. on January 22nd.

Dexter, Missouri - Life is always filled with change, but the times of change have now come upon the Dexter High School football program.  Coach Aaron Pixley has announced today that he and his family will be leaving his DHS alma mater to take the head coaching position at Kennett High School.

"No one will understand why a person would move when you are comfortable and satisfied where you are," stated Pixley.  "It's an excellent opportunity for my family and I have always loved a challenge."

In his first year as the Dexter Head Coach, Pixley had a team shirt that stated his philosophy toward the game of football, and obviously life.  The slogan read "Never Accept Mediocrity".

His thirteen seasons at the gridiron master has provided our community many exciting Friday nights.  His record tells the story with 78 wins which is a record for any Head Coach at DHS.  His two best seasons were in 2002 in his third year as the head coach the Bearcats had a season of 8-3 and then in 2010 was perhaps his most memorable year with a record of 8-5 and playing in the State Quarterfinals. 
 
The Bearcats have scored 3,285 points under Pixley with their opponents scoring 2,670.  In addition, we have been able to experience the joys of victory with three titles as SEMO Conference Champions, 2002, 2005 and 2011.  The Bearcats won four District Playoffs, 2002, 2005, 2010 and 2011, with 2010 making it to the State Quarterfinal. 

Many emotions flood a community when news of this nature is shared.  The feelings of loss will weigh heavily among students, faculty, friends, and the fans of Dexter High School and the Pixley's.  None more critically touched than those athletes who have become known as one of the "Pixley's Boys".

Coach Pixley has gone above the normal call of dedication for Bearcat athletes, both current and past.  Not simply the football players, but all athletes as well as non-athletes.  he has delivered to our young people the proud virtues found in organized athletes such as hard work, dedication, team and honor.

The jealously that Kennett would snatch such a good man and family from our community could be considered rivalry material.  However, in the high hopes of good things for a great family, we certainly wish him well.  May these opportunities only bring about greater opportunities for the Pixleys and Dexter High School.

The news certainly comes as a surprise to the Dexter Public Schools and they will busy themselves working on a replacement for the head position.  There is little speculation at this time to the direction the district will pursue.

Coach Pixley and his wife, Amy, will finish the year at Dexter before making the move to Kennett sometimes this summer.  Typically known as the "coaches wife", Amy has been a major part of her husband's success with the football program in Dexter.  She has dedicated countless hours to the tough jobs of laundry, schedule interruptions and household duties.

Submitted  by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer

Dexter, Missouri - Many Dexter folks looked out their window to find snow falling this afternoon.  The white stuff came down so quickly that in less than a couple of hours Dexter schools were letting out and the roads were rather slick.

Winter weather calls for drivers to make adjustments! The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages motorists to plan ahead and drive safely or not at all during inclement weather.

Drivers: Take the time to clean snow and ice completely from your vehicle. Allow extra driving time for you to reach your destination at a slow, safe speed. Make sure the windows are completely cleared to ensure visibility. Remember: Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on. It takes only a second to turn on your vehicle’s headlights. That second could make you more visible to other drivers and prevent a traffic crash. 

Keep in mind that Section 307.020 RSMo. states that lighted lamps are required "from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead."

Have you winterized your vehicle? Have a mechanic check the battery, heater, defroster, lights, hoses, belts, brakes, oil, tires, wipers, and fluid levels. Before you travel, gather an ice scraper, tire chains, battery booster cables, blankets, flashlight, and a bag of sand to place in your trunk. Emergencies cannot be predicted, but planning for them can help you if one should arise. Missouri’s Road Condition Report (1-800-222-6400) can help you plan your route--before you leave. This number gives an automated listing of road conditions throughout the state. You may also view MoDOT’s Road Condition Map by going to the Patrol’s web site www.mshp.dps.mo.gov and clicking on the Road Condition icon.

When inclement weather hits, please adjust how you drive so that you continue to "exercise the highest degree of care". For instance: Stopping quickly in the winter on snow-covered or icy roads is next to impossible. Use care by increasing your following distance as you drive. Increase your following distance to five seconds or more. Section 304.012 RSMo. directs motorists to exercise the highest degree of care on Missouri's roadways. This part of Missouri law states, "Every person operating a motor vehicle on the roads and highways of this state shall drive the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed so as not to endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person and shall exercise the highest degree of care." 

Ask yourself if the speed you're traveling is safe for the weather conditions. Slow down when driving in snow or on ice. Driving the speed limit may not be "exercising the highest degree of care" during inclement weather; driving over the speed limit never is. 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is here to serve and protect. If you become stranded or see another vehicle stranded on the side of the road with passengers, please call the Missouri State Highway Patrol emergency number at 1-800-525-5555 or dial *55 on a cellular phone. These numbers ring at the nearest troop headquarters.

Planning ahead and being a courteous driver are important every day. In winter driving conditions, this becomes crucial. Please slow down, pay attention, and wear your seat belt.

Of course, no matter how safely you drive, you can’t control other drivers. Thus, the Patrol encourages motorists to protect themselves from all types of hazardous drivers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Click It 4 Life.