Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The Annual JAKES Day Event was a huge success Saturday with 73 children between the ages of 4 and 17 attending as well as approximately 40 adults. The Missouri Department of Conservation, National Wild Turkey Federation, American Outdoors, Crowley’s Ridge Limbhangers of Dexter and the Crowley’s Ridge Blackpowder Club of Dexter volunteered their time to reach out to the younger generation of our community to give them an opportunity to get outdoors and try hands-on activities.
Several stations were set up throughout the Bloomfield Holly Ridge Pavilion area. The Conservation Department presented a gun safety demonstration where youngsters were given a chance to shoot a shotgun at clay birds or they could choose to shoot a BB gun at balloons.
Shannon Collier was on hand from the Missouri Fur Trappers Association to teach students about fur trapping. Cougar, bear, beaver, mink, raccoon, possum, bobcat, coyote, and skunk hides were on display for them to touch and hold. There were several real traps available to set.
The Wappapello Corps of Engineers set up a station for Water Safety. They had a bucket of ice cold water to explain how hypothermia causes you distress, just like the Titanic. Most of the people froze to death in the water when the Titanic sank, not from drowning, a common misconception. They also had many different styles of life preservers for them to try on and wear properly.
The Crowley’s Ridge Blackpowder Club had four primitive skills stations set up for those who wanted to learn how to start fire with flint and steel or a magnifying glass. They learned how to shoot a slingshot and also throw a tomahawk. Curtis Waggoner and Amanda Koehler of Four Corners Archery helped students throw an atlatl and shoot a primitive bow. Popcorn Linda was on hand giving away FREE kettle corn! YUM! The parents enjoyed that as much as the children.
American Outdoors owner, Mark Jacques, along with Bobby Shipman helped students shoot various 3-D targets with modern bows. Each child also received a free Diamond Archery bracelet.
The Missouri Department of Conservation volunteers also had a fishing demonstration set up where children could cast a few plastic hooks to reel in brightly colored “fish” or Hula Hoops. Some of those kids could really cast across the parking lot! One student shouted, “I have never fished before and I caught my first fish!”
Lunched could not have come sooner, hotdogs, chips, banansas and apples and ice cold water were engulfed quickly and everyone was ready for the great CANDY CANNON! Many parents have had the pleasure of attending a Rendezvous and watched the little ones run for the candy after the big boom! Children scramble to gather candy after it has been shot out of the cannon.
They day ended with a .22 cal Cricket gun given away to Caleb Pierce from Wappapello. He was the first name drawn, but not to worry each child received a prize, a very nice tackle box from the Missouri Conservation Department and a kite from Crowley’s Ridge Blackpowder Club.
Many kids stated they couldn’t wait until next year when they could return and go on the nature hunt. Students found plastic spiders, frogs, snails, and snakes on the trail and also learned to call turkeys. Some even found real turkey feathers to take home. All had smiles and no one wanted to leave.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the JAKES Day Event especially to Tyson Foods for donating the lunch and helping to cook! This makes for a wonderful experience and each year seems to get bigger and bigger!
It takes many volunteers to host this event as well as donations from the community. Please support your local JAKES program by supporting the local NWTF Limbhangers Chapter by attending their annual banquet in January and by becoming a member of NWTF. Follow them on Facebook for the latest announcements and photos of their events.
All JAKES participants will have their name submitted as a JAKES Member and will receive four issues of a full-color JAKES Magazine, NWTF Membership Card, JAKES decal and a chance to win a Hunt of a Lifetime.
So get involved by introducing young boys and girls to the beauty and wonder of our natural resources! The NWTF challenges each of you to take an active part in participating in a JAKES Conservation Field Day event and make a difference in a the life of a child.
JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship!
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The Keller Public Library is presenting all summer long, Dig Into Reading. Children of all ages are encouraged to attend this exciting Summer Reading Program sponsored by Friends of the Library.
Look What’s Digging Underground was presented on June 12 with over 125 people in attendance. Reita Lebeau was wonderful with her guitar and singing along with the children. Even a few parents were heard singing!
Betsy Taylor did a wonderful job presenting herself as THE MOLE! Mary Ann Taylor, John Ringer, Lindsay Schlief, Kim Cook, Sarah Miller, and Jean Rahn were on hand to perform many characters including Squirmin’ Herman, as the Earthworm!
Each Wednesday morning around 11:00 a.m. you find more fascinating characters reading and singing at the library. This week, on June 19th, “The Magic Underground” with a real magician Marty Hahne who will have a few tricks up his sleeve.
June 26th, “Lets Rock on Down”! July 3rd will be “Do The Dinosaur Stomp!” July 10th there will be “Live Animals Underground” with Jared Bakers and on July17th will be “I Dig Crafts!” Should be a fun and exciting summer for all ages.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
The invigorating and inviting aroma of brewed coffee and the cafe' atmosphere has made Holey Cow an instant success in Dexter.
Everyone is encouraged to attend this electrifying event on Saturday, June 15th from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Join Aaron and Misti McBride, owners, for incredible give-a-ways, FREE samples and entertaining events for all ages!
They are now offering a 10% Senior Discount!
Have you "chomped" on one of their delicious salads? The Strawberry Pecan Salad with fat free dressing is absolutely scrumptious! Customers can choose a salad and soup or a salad and 1/2 sandwich and a drink for just $4.99. What a great price that is!
Each of us gets so busy these days with the hustle and bustle of ordinary life, jobs, sporting events, and summer yard work. Text or call a few friends and meet them at the Holey Cow Cafe for lunch or dinner. It's conveniently located! It's decor is charming! And the prices are reasonable! Not too mention the food is exceptional!
The staff are courteous, professional and attentive. The owners are absolutely delightful people. The customers so enjoy watching the ladies behind the counter mix the ice cream on the slab, adding the various nuts and candies.
You'll be glad you came! Holey Cow Cafe' will become your new favorite place to eat!
Holey Cow Cafe is located in the old Wendy's building at 1119 North One Mile Road in Dexter. Call ahead and order for pick-up or dine-in at 614-5048.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – Starting today, June 10th, we are having a 20% off photo sale. Order prints and gifts for Dads and Grads and everyone in between today through Wednesday, June 12 at 11:59 p.m. CDT to save a bunch.
As with all sales and special offers there is no coupon code necessary to get 20% off as long as the order is made from your Zenfolio account. Most ShowMe Times photos are available on Zenfolio.
Just go to showmetimes.com and look for the tab PHOTOS and click. There are over 22,000 photos to choose from. Some of our most recent photos are from the Keller Library Story Hours, BA All Star Extravaganza, DHS Softball, Relay for Life 2013, TS Hill Middle School Volleyball, DHS Baseball, TS Hill Middles School Baseball, and more.
There are great gifts for dad such as coffee mugs, key chains, magnets, and calendars. One can even make baseball trading cards for sports and special event tickets. Order him a wonderful t-shirt with a special photo. Either way you can’t go wrong with special memorabilia items for Father’s Day!
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The 2013 Annual 18 FORE Life Charity Banquet was an emotional heartfelt night of tears and laughter.
Local recipient, Becky Dennington and Ed Hearn, former professional baseball player were this year’s keynote speakers. Kerri Kruse welcomed over 500 people to the Elk’s Lodge and Rev. Michael Williams was gracious to give the invocation.
Scott Kruse spoke to the audience, occasionally laughing and every now and then his eyes would fill with tears. Kruse spoke of his late brother, Ben and how proud he would be to see so many people in the audience and join together for a common cause to help those in need and fighting cancer. “I would like to express our appreciation and gratitude for everyone that is here tonight and for everyone that contributes to this Foundation in so many different ways,” commented Kruse.
Kruse continued by saying, “We have numerous volunteers that help make this weekend possible, but many more who also work tirelessly throughout the year helping us to raise money and awareness of what we do.”
There was not a dry eye in the house after Ben’s friend, Chad Gaylord, gave a beautiful toast. The stories he told were quite humorous to say the least and that is one reason Ben was so loved and will be missed by so many. He was the ultimate amusing, friendly and congenial person to be around.
David Robinson who is a Dexter native but traveled from Atlanta, Georgia to attend and donate his service to providing the video produced a video tribute. This year’s video depicted love offering recipients or their caregivers a chance to display a printed sign with a word or phrase and defined their journey with the dreaded disease. Faith, Believe, Love
"It's been a long journey and good ride, but I so wish Ben was here to see this," commented Kruse.
Becky, a recipient of a 18 FORE Life love offering was diagnosed with non-invasive and invasive ductal carcinoma......Breast Cancer. At the age of only 31, she began a journey that would forever change her life.
After numerous treatments at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis, Missouri, Becky found therapy in journaling about what she was experience and began a blog, "Deep Thoughts by Beck". Her blog caught the eye of a publishing company, LazyDay Publishing, which wanted to turn her blog into a book. In October of 2011, "Me and the Ugly C" was released on E-Book and in just two months was printed in paperback form.
Becky is the wife of Kelley Dennington to whom she just recently celebrated 18 years of marriage and has two beautiful children, Ryan (17) and Mallory (12). She is the proud owner of Tips to Toes in Bernie, Missouri.
LazyDay Publishing is graciously donating 100% of their profit of Me and The Ugly C to the 18 FORE Life Charity.
Ed Hearn who was called by The New York Times as "a hall of famer in the game of life", was the banquets was the guest speaker for the evening. He fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a professional baseball player and won a World Championship for the New York Mets.
A serious shoulder injury brought an end to his promising future in baseball and with it he learned a valuable lesson in life. Less than six months after he left baseball, he was diagnosed with a life-threatening health condition.
Not only did he survive one near death condition, but three as he has received three life-saving kidney transplants, a successful bout with cancer, and takes up to 50 pills per day. Ed spoke of his depression and his "pity parties" and realized his life experience could empower and uplift others around him. his courage, faith and determination speak volumes as many face life's challenges. He too wrote a book, "Conquering Life's Curves Baseball, Battles & Beyond" and he is founder of The Bottom of the Ninth, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to rebuilding the spirit and character of our nation.
