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Missouri - Spring has arrived, and along with it, varying temperatures and weather patterns. These changes can cause problems for drivers. The Missouri State Highway Patrol offers these reminders for driving safely during spring:

Heavy rain can cause flooding and spring showers will certainly spawn flash flooding. Never drive through fast-moving waters; even a small amount of fast-moving water can sweep a slow-moving vehicle off the roadway. If your vehicle becomes stuck in rising water, get out quickly and move to higher ground. Respect barriers or barricades put in place by MoDOT. They are there to protect you; don’t go around them!

Widely varying temperatures can leave roadways or bridge floors covered with frost. Even though roads appear to be clear, it is important to slow down and watch for slick areas, especially early in the morning. Temperature changes also cause fog to develop. Drivers need to slow down, turn on their headlights, and be prepared to stop in foggy conditions.

Weather conditions requiring the use of windshield wipers are usually those that affect visibility. Motorists are reminded that state law requires them to turn on their vehicle’s headlights any time they are using the windshield wipers. It only takes a second to turn on your vehicle’s headlights. But, that second could make you more visible to other drivers and prevent a traffic crash. 

Drivers need to be aware of farming equipment in the spring. Tractors and other wide farm implements will be traveling down rural roads. Drivers are encouraged to be patient, slow down, and give these pieces of equipment room on the road. If you plan to pass a slow-moving farm implement, do so wisely. Never attempt to pass on hills or curves. Also, check for a “driveway” on the left before passing. A farm implement moving to the right may be preparing for a wide turn, rather than allowing you to pass, so be very careful.

Spring weather brings more traffic to the roadways, as people begin taking advantage of Missouri’s many recreation areas. Watch for changes in traffic patterns caused by the increase in the number of drivers on the road. One of the traffic patterns to watch for is an increase in bicycles or pedestrians. In nice weather, joggers are more common. Also, children are likely to walk or ride their bicycle to school. Stay alert! 

The Patrol encourages motorists and watercraft operators to protect themselves by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint and everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Click It 4 Life and Wear It!!!

 

Written by

Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri – The Dexter Parents As Teachers organization is offering FREE vision, hearing, health and developmental screening to children 3 months to 35 months of age. 

Screenings are invaluable because they can catch hearing, vision, development or health issues early, providing the chance to get treatment to your child early.  A vision screening will check for conditions such as Amblyopia, or Lazy Eye, which is most effectively treated if caught early.

Our brains open "Windows of Opportunity," when we can do our best learning. For example, 80% of what we learn is through our vision, but vision is the first "Window of Opportunity" to close. This means if certain vision problems are not diagnosed before approximately 5-years-old, they can be much harder to treat or correct.

Children do not need to be enrolled in Parents As Teacher and they can be screened in the office or at their home. Please call their office at 614-1004 to set up an appointment.

Please feel free to pass this information on to other parents of infants and toddlers in our area especially if they are not enrolled in Parents As Teachers.

Submitted by

Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Burfordville, Missouri – The Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive is a regional driving tour that includes a stop in Burfordville, Missouri at the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site.

The Scenic Driving Tour will take place on April 27 and April 28. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, participants that stop at the historic site can enjoy the 19th century gristmill and the oldest covered bridge in the state of Missouri.

Visitors to Bollinger Mill State Historic Site will have the opportunity to see a demonstration of wool spinning and weaving in period 19th century clothing on both days.

Free tours of the mill will be offered Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3:30 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and delight in this historic treasure.

Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is the site of a Civil War-era mill where visitors can learn how corn and wheat were ground into meal and flour by water power, just as it was done long ago. Burfordville Covered Bridge, the oldest of the four remaining covered bridges in the state, was built in 1858 and stretches 140 feet across the Whitewater River, which powers the mill.

Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is located at 113 Bollinger Mill Road in Burfordville. For more information, contact the site at 573-243-4591. 

For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Written by

Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri – The Republican Club met last Monday evening and enjoyed having guest speaker, Mr. Russ Oliver.

Russ is the Stoddard County Prosecutor and discussed topics such as the Missouri Concealed Weapons law and the process issuing permits.  He also discussed the privacy of scanning personal documents.  He was quite informative of these “hot topics”.

The Republican Club meets on the third Monday of each month at the Hickory Log Restaurant in Dexter, Missouri.  Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to arrive early to have dinner before the meeting starts.

Meetings are open to anyone as the Club’s goal is to provide a forum to discuss and educate Stoddard County Residents on national, state and local issues.

The Chairman is Jim Henderson, Vice-Chairman is Mike Watkins, Secretary is Alesha Flowers and Treasurer is Evelyn Griffin. 

If you have question or are interested in joining the Republican Club, please contact Recruitment Chairperson, Marjean Mayer at 614-4823 or Club Chairman, Jim Henderson at 614-7474.

Greenville, Missouri - The glory days of America's wild frontier are long gone, but you can still take a step back in time and relive history. The Crowley's Ridge Blackpowder Club of Dexter, Missouri would like to invite the public to their 35th Annual Old Greenville Rendezvous this weekend, April 20th and 21st.

You will travel back in time to the 1840's (pre-Civil War era) where the smell of gunpowder will be in the air as old Mountain Men will be shooting their flintlocks and talking of tall tales!

There is something for everyone to see and do when you attend a Living History event such as this one.  Indulge your senses with the aroma and taste of kettle corn, homemade rootbeer, BBQ, old fashioned candy, fry bread, home style potato chips, real squeezed lemonade and much more.

The event begins Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and runs through Sunday at 3 p.m.  Registration will be open Saturday from 9 - 3 and Sunday 10 - 1 for those wanting souvenirs, raffles and to sign up to shoot bow or gun.  Don't forget Sunday Church service begins at 9 a.m. with live music from local Mountain Men and Native Americans!

There will plenty to do at the Rendezvous: Blackpowder Shooting, Knife and Hawk Throw, Primitive Bow Shoot, Leather Tanning, Weaving, Primitive Traders with goods for sale, Blacksmith's Shop, Atlatl Demonstrations, Woodcarving by Mike Clippard of Dexter, MO, Candy Cannon by C.G. Edwards, Old Fashioned Music, and games for the kids with lots of prizes.

The Gun Raffle and Bow Raffle drawings will be held at 3 pm on Sunday.  The Gun is a Connecticut Valley Arms .45 cal Blackpowder Percussion Rifle valued at $600 and the Hand-crafted Bow was designed by Tom Boner of Bernie, MO. 

This is the longest consecutive Rendezvous Event in the state of Missouri, lasting 35 years. Each year budgets are cut, funds are lacking and this year is no different.  The Club raises money throughout the year by selling raffle tickets, t-shirts, Living History Program advertising spaces and asking for much needed donations to hold these Living History Events.  They hope that with support from the community they will be able to continue this tradition for years to come.  The CRBC Club is a non-profit club and hosts three vous' annually, this being the largest of the three.

There will be a large green registration tent on site with a gun and bow raffle, cookbooks, postcards, medallions, and t-shirts and souvenirs for sale.  They will also have a donation jar for anyone who would like to contribute to the "Keep Living History Alive" campaign. 

The Rendezvous and parking is FREE to the public and you can even catch a ride on a wagon pulled by some mules and Mr. Dale Moreland of Dexter, Missouri.

This event is held in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake.  Each year they offer the campground to the Club to host the Rendezvous.  If you are interested in modern camping, call the office at 572-222-8562.  They would be glad to help!

The CRBC also hosts a Rendezvous in Bloomfield, Missouri.  This year the event will take place on October 14th and 15th.  This will be the 14th year for that event and will be located across the Stars and Stripes Museum on highway 25.

They also have a newer event planned in New Madrid, Missouri this year.  It will be their 2nd year hosting Rendezvous on the River and it will be in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce's Fall Festival on October 5th and 6th. 

If you would like more information about the Rendezvous or joining the Crowley's Ridge Blackpowder Club, you can contact Alex Hanners "Snapper", President of the Crowley's Ridge Blackpowder Club at 573-321-0401 or Dee Loflin, Secretary/Treasurer at 573-380-3318.  They also have a Facebook page.