Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Puxico, Missouri - The most famous groundhog of all, Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring this year and many are hopeful he is correct. Another Groundhog tradition since 1999 is National Groundhog Job Shadow Day. This initiative gives students across the nation opportunities to learn about career options available to them. With Groundhog Day falling on a weekend this year, activities were spread out over the entire week.
The National Groundhog Job Shadow Day (NGJSD) is a national campaign that gives young people a new perspective on their studies through hands-on learning and one-day or more mentoring experience. Students are paired with a mentor or a group of mentors who they will “Shadow” throughout the day to experience how the skills they are learning in the classroom can be applied to real life situations.America’s Promise – Alliance for Youth, Junior Achievement joined with the U.S. Department of Labor and created the NGJSD in 1999. More than one million students and 100,000 businesses participated just last year with more than 2,000 restaurants and hotels hosting over 20,000 students.
The Mingo Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center has participated in this event since its inception. Mingo Job Corps CCC is a residential vocational and educational training program located near Puxico, MO. 
Fourteen welding students with Mingo Job Corps toured the Faurecia Plant in Dexter on February 6th; observing many of the welding techniques they have been learning in a real-world setting. Several students expressed an interest in pursuing a career with Faurecia upon completion of their training. Mark Fulkerson with Faurecia escorted the students throughout the plant, describing many of the high-tech machines used in today’s industry and the continuing emphasis on worker safety.
Dexter Police Chief, Sammy Stone and Fire Chief, Don Seymore addressed a group of over 230 students during a special assembly on February 7th. Each shared information regarding the training required to become law enforcement officers and firefighters in Missouri. They also shared individual stories of how they made their career choices, which lead them to becoming leaders in their respective agencies.
In addition to seven vocational trades, Mingo Job Corps offers GED or High School attainment, driver’s education, and basic health care all at no cost to the student. The U.S. Forest Service administrates the program in Stoddard County and at 27 other centers across the nation.
The MINGO Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is one of only three Job Corps Centers in Missouri. The other two centers being in Excelsior Springs and St. Louis, Missouri. If you are an employerand seeking well-trained, entry-level employees, the Job Corps is an ideal place to find them.
For more information, call 573-222-3537 or visit www.jobcorps.gov.
The Bernie Project Prom Committee would like to invite everyone to this Fish Fry on Saturday, February 9th in the Bernie School Cafeteria.
They will begin serving at 4:00 p.m. until about 7:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $10 for adults and $5.00 for children 10 years and younger.
The meal includes ALL YOU CAN EAT FISH, hushpuppies, fries, drink and dessert. This is an awesome price for a great meal!
All proceeds from the dinner will be used to help sponsor a fun and safe environment after the Bernie High School Prom in the spring.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri - Quail Forever's Chapter #3148 the Bootheel Bobwhites will be hosting their 1st Annual Sportsman’s Banquet on Saturday, February 9th at the Hickory Log in Dexter, Missouri.
This is relatively a new chapter serving the Scott and Stoddard County areas and was created due to the growing interest in quail conservation and hunting. The Bootheel Bobwhites are dedicated to the conservation and preservation of quail, pheasants, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education, and land management policies and programs.
Pheasants Forever launched Quail Forever in August of 2005 to address the continuing loss of habitat suitable for quail in the United States.
The Bootheel Bobwhites are a grass roots organization with a diversified group of hunters, non-hunters, farmers, landowners, conservation enthusiasts and wildlife officials. If you want to make a difference for wildlife by creating a habitat, restoring a wetland area and protecting our prairies you should get involved in this worthwhile adventure.
The proceeds from this event will go towards local projects to enhance quail habitats and promote youth education by having a Shooting Day. This will teach young students the value of quail habitats, their preservation, gun safety and the heritage of quail hunting in Southeast Missouri.
They are raffling a very nice charbroil Tru Infared gas grill (4 burner plus a side grill) a $500 value. Tickets are $5.00 each or 6 for $20. Drawing will be held at the banquet.
The Sportsman’s Banquet will also be featuring a live auction after dinner along with a silent auction and lots of raffles for prizes.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and an evening filled with fun. Ticket prices are $50 for single, $70 for couple; this also includes one membership into Quail Forever.
For more information or details about the club, contact committee member Scott James at 573-418-0787 or go to their Facebook page (Quail Forever – Bootheel Bobwhites).
Membership benefits include a Quail Forever Journal of Upland Conservation which is published four times a year and features stories on upland bird hunting, guns, sporting dogs, habitat improvement projects, environmental issues, legislative action and other outdoor interests. Window decal featuring Quail Forever logo, a membership card for easy identification, and local chapter access to attend banquets, meetings, participate in fundraising activities and the greatest benefit is that you can make a difference in your area along with other outdoor enthusiasts.
Join the Bootheel Bobwhites and make a difference!
We are always touched by charities and foundations that strive to make our world better, but it’s even more touching when children take part in these wonderful events. Most local schools hold fundraisers that the students can participate in to raise money for Cancer Research at St. Jude or Walk for Diabetes but there is one little boy in particular that has been working hard on his very own fundraiser: the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Many families that have a child undergoing treatment for cancer or other illnesses have to travel a long ways away from their own home in order to receive the medical attention that their child needs. The Ronald McDonald House takes away most of the pressure so that the family can focus on the most important thing: their child getting better and walking on the road to recovery. Families that fit into this category are able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House at little to no cost at all where their groceries, meals, and shelter will be provided for them.
Brandon Scott was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was almost two years old. As he grew older, he realized that he could help other people and families with their “Home Away From Home” by just collecting the tabs off of the tops of his soda cans. Scott is now ten years old and has been collecting soda tabs nearly all of his life with the help of his mother, Kim Scott, and his family and friends.
St. Louis has three different Ronald McDonald Houses due to the multiple children’s hospitals located there. Since first opening in the early 1980’s, the Houses in St. Louis have helped over 300,000 families that have traveled there for their children to receive treatment. That is why Scott has a new prospective and goal for next year’s Tab Top Pandemonium, which is a benefit held in Metro St. Louis in May for the local Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Scott is hoping to collect three thousand pounds of soda can tabs for next year’s benefit. Although it may seem like a lot, it’s a really easy thing to do. Most people may go through one or two sodas a day, so now you know that plucking that pull tab off the top of your can could help Brandon reach his goal and help a family that is gaining support from the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
To get people fired up and ready to collect for next year, Scott and his parents organized a day of fun on Saturday, April 20th. This fundraiser will hopefully gain support of the community, friends, family, businesses, churches, schools, and other large groups that could help him collect the tabs he needs to reach his goal. The third Saturday in April will give the guests many opportunities to support Brandon and his fundraiser.
Aside from bringing your tabs, the attendees will get the chance to meet both Brandon and Ronald McDonald. The Scotts will be selling food, bracelets, and raffle tickets for three great prizes that will be announced at a later date. The fundraiser also includes a giant silent auction, with all proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House. This great day of fun will be on April 20th in Poplar Bluff at the American Legion on PP Highway. Scott hopes that they will have a good turnout and will jump start their tab collecting for the benefit next May.
Even if you’re not able to make it to the event in late April, you can still help Scott and his great cause by collecting pull tabs and spreading the word. If you would like to lend a helping hand in this fundraiser then you can contact Kim Scott at 573-300-6195 or join their Facebook Event titled: “Pull Tab Drive For Brandon Scott”.
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
The Masonic men love to cook and it's been a tradition to host a breakfast each year for the community!
They will be serving bacon, eggs, biscuits and gravy, sausage, hash browns and pancakes. There will also be a variety of beverages, coffee, tea, orange juice, milk and apple juice.
You can't beat the price! The cost is only $6.00 and children under 12 years of age eat for FREE! Worship Master, Mike McCollum says, "You can't find a better priced breakfast anywhere with all that great food!"
Clifford Hicks will greet you at the door and strike up a conversation. He has been a member of the Lodge in 1953. He has earned his "The Working Tools of the Knife and Fork Degree" and proudly wears his apron as proof.
Proceeds from their Annual Valentine's Breakfast will help with expenses towards a Hunter's Safety Education Course for youngsters who are interested in getting their hunting license. Their next event will be a Mother's Day Breakfast in May.
