Written by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
Missouri - During this Easter season, thousands of Missourians stretched out from east to west along Highway 60 and also north and south along Highway 63 while carrying large white crosses made out of pipes. Christians from all across the state stood out in the dreary weather while holding up the crosses on Good Friday to make the presence of God known to everyone.
Although it was rainy for almost everyone, many of the participants lasted the full six hours. This was a year of perseverance but it was also one of the largest groups within the past few years. Missouri had a goal to become one of the largest living crosses and had more than 3,000 crosses along both highways and thousands of participants that came out to support the great cause.
While standing along the major highways, the people carrying the crosses had to be sure to take extreme safety measures. Jim McNeill, a retired Missouri State Highway Patrolman, developed a well thought out safety guide for the volunteers to ensure that everyone was safe the entire time. With the weather conditions and the busy traffic, it was a top priority to keep everyone involved safe, no matter if they were driving or standing on the shoulder.
People from counties all over Missouri participated and made the event a great success. The main spots for the event included: Cairo, Charleston, Puxico, Bertrand, Sikeston, Essex, Morehouse, Thayer, Dexter, Dudley, Fisk, Gatewood, Huston, Camdenton, Poplar Bluff, and Cape Girardeau. Missouri’s Texas County had over 500 participants and ordered over 150 crosses to carry. Together, the large groups made a huge cross over the state of Missouri by standing along the intersecting highways.
The event was organized by David Craig, who created many spots or “zones” for people to stand at along the highways and passed out the large crosses to all the volunteers. Craig participated in radio broadcasts in different towns on Christian radio stations and kept a Facebook page updated with information, tips, and Bible scripture to encourage the number of participants. He also held a Carry the Cross meeting at Life Church in Sikeston a week before Good Friday to inform the newcomers and participants about the safety measures and the reason why Carry the Cross is such an important event.
To get that many crosses, many churches all over the state of Missouri held “Cross Building Parties”. The churches bought and donated pipes and spent their time cutting and building the crosses so that they can be distributed to participants that could not afford or build their own. The building parties were very successful and there were enough crosses for every participant to have.
“As Christians, our purpose is to make Him known,” Craig explained to the group of volunteers, “The cross is a tool to help us fulfill our purpose. The Cross is the sign and the symbol of the sacrificing love which has been at the heart of God from the foundation of the world. The Cross is a message of hope for a lost and confused world.”
The idea of Carry the Cross is to show God’s love and mercy for all who live on the earth. On Good Friday, Jesus died on the cross for our sins and three days later, on Easter Sunday, He rose again and is alive. The people that stood along the highways yesterday wanted to share the good news and give glory to God and his ultimate sacrifice.
Good Friday was filled with thanks and many witnesses stood with the crosses held high in honor of their savior. It was an amazing act and the numbers will hopefully increase drastically next year. Happy Easter!
Submitted by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
Jefferson City, Missouri – The fifth annual Missouri National Archery in the Schools (MoNASP) state tournament, held March 22-23 at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, drew 1,438 student archers in grades 4-12 from 74 schools across the state. Despite a weather forecast predicting snow, the event drew more than 7,500 observers and supporters.
The top-scoring male student was Seth Pezley of St. Joseph Cathedral in Jefferson City with a score of 294 out of a possible 300. The top-scoring female student was Shelby Winslow of Summit Lakes Middle School in Lee’s Summit with a score of 287 out of 300. In addition to trophies, the two top scorers received Special Edition Genesis Bows.
Top-scoring teams and individuals, along with other teams and individuals who had qualifying scores, will go on to compete in the National Archery in the Schools (NASP) national tournament in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 10-11. A list of the almost 40 top-scoring teams and individuals who qualified for the national tournament, along with the nearly 80 individuals and teams who also had qualifying scores, is available at mdc.mo.gov/node/21559
MoNASP is coordinated through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Conservation Federation of Missouri in partnership with 290 participating schools and numerous supporting organizations throughout the state. MoNASP is an affiliate of NASP and promotes education, self-esteem and physical activity through the sport of archery to more than 63,000 participating Missouri students in grades 4-12.
“The growth of the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program has been tremendous over the past four years,” said MDC Education Outreach Coordinator Eric Edwards, who coordinates MoNASP. “This surge has led students outdoors with their families to participate in this lifetime sport. Many local conservation groups and civic organizations are also volunteering to help support MoNASP in their communities. Students are connecting with family members, coaches and teachers through archery. This connection and confidence gained through archery will spread into other parts of their lives.”
Submitted by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
Route 51 in Bollinger and Stoddard Counties will be reduced to one lane as contractor crews begin installing shoulders and resurfacing the roadway.
This section of roadway is located from to Route 34 at Marble Hill to US 60 in Stoddard Co.
Weather permitting, work will begin Monday, April 1 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and will be completed in Aug. 2013.
The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.
For additional information, contact the Resident Engineer Audie Pulliam at (573) 840-9781 or MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit [url_new=www.modot.org/southeast.
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
While working at Bloomfield, she obtained a Master of the Arts and a Specialist in Educational Administration. In the past thirteen years, James has served as a principal, special education teacher, and as a director of special services for the Bloomfield School District. She also enjoys teaching as an adjunct instructor for the Hannibal LaGrange University.
“Within my educational philosophy, I believe that every child has the potential to bring something unique and special to the world. I believe all children are capable of learning and that effective educators can reach every student.” James explains. “In my personal life, I have been blessed with a supportive husband and two amazing girls. When I have spare time, I enjoy reading, camping, participating as an active member of my church, and being a life-long learner. I am excited about the opportunity to serve the Dexter School District and look forward to the upcoming school year.”
The Dexter School District is really proud and excited to welcome their newest teacher into their faculty starting during the upcoming school year.
Written by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri - Dexter’s very own Twin Cinema has just finished their renovations. This weekend is the first time ever that the cinema is using their brand new 3D and 2D full HD digital projection and sound. The theater has vastly improved in more ways than one, but don’t worry, it still has the same movie ticket prices and great hospitality that you find from the workers behind the counter.
After the $150,000 screen and sound upgrade that was placed in the theater earlier last week, the Dexter Twin Cinema is open for business once again. It was most likely a busy weekend since the long awaited movie “The Croods” starring Ryan Reynolds, Nicholas Cage, and Emma Stone was put on the big screen. The movie is not only shown in the average 2D, but the new upgrade allows for amazing 3D viewing as well. Currently, the “Oz The Great and Powerful” movie starring Mila Kunis and James Franco is also available at the cinema all this week.
The cinema has launched a website at www.dextertwincinema.com that makes it easy for viewers to find show times, prices, and the upcoming movies that will be showing. On the website, you can sign up for weekly newsletters that explain the upcoming movies, events, and information about the theater. When you sign up for the newsletter, you will receive a free small popcorn at the next movie you see. The theater is also now open to hold events so birthday parties or other themed occasions can be planned and celebrated in front of the big screen.
The theater might have changed a lot, but they are keeping their customers’ favorite traditions. If you bring your own bowl to the theater on Monday or Tuesday night, you can get it filled for free. Tuesday night is also Bargain Night, so you can get your tickets for the show at the price of child’s admission.
To keep up to date with the newest movies, you can add the theater as a friend on Facebook or check their website. They will keep you updated on show times, Bring Your Own Bowl Night, and Bargain Night so you can grab the best deal and see a great movie with hot and buttery popcorn.
The new screen and sound upgrade is something that you won’t want to miss, so don’t forget to stop by to see one of the new movies for a breathtaking 3D experience.
