Submitted by Jill Temples
SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri- On Saturday, September 28th, the 20th Annual Bootheel Area Walk for MS will take place at the West City Park in Dexter. Registration will start at 4:00 p.m. with the walk will start at 5:00 p.m.
When you participate in the Walk for MS the funds raised will help more than 7,000 people living in our community that have MS. The money being raised will help support life-changing programs for these individuals and will also help with research for the disease. This money also helps research to restore function that has been lost and to end MS all together. The MS walk began in 1988 and has since raised over $10 million to help support people living with MS.
The MS walk will have length routes that are one mile and three miles. If you decide to participate in the walk, you can register as a volunteer, team, or individual. Registration is available online at http://walkmos.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/MOSWalkEvents?fr_id=22028&pg=entry or you can register on the day of the race at 4:00 p.m.
Come out and walk to create a world free of multiple sclerosis!
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
It has always been a struggle according to Neal, but when he sets a goal he works very hard to accomplish it. I had the pleasure of chatting with Neal this evening and was excited to announce his running for 149th State Representative spot which is being vacated by Steve Hodges here on ShowMe Times.
Below is a letter from Boyd called "REALITY Check" and how he has set a goal to release his new EP, "My Christmas Wish" and how he hopes to accomplish his dream.
Letter from Neal E. Boyd
I’m going to be brutally honest about my own life. Every opportunity hasn’t come with the endless possibilities that one might assume, but I am grateful for all the opportunities I have been given. As Plácido Domingo once told me, “Be Proud of it…I’m sure you are starting a brilliant career!”
Some believe the music industry is a perfect world full of fame and money. As a consumer, you find a favorite artist or a favorite song. You listen to the music it for a while and then set it aside. It’s the same way a lot of times with artists in the music industry. It’s true that my music career hasn’t gone perfectly or as I had wished or planned. There have been some tough setbacks. But when you’re a dreamer taking risks, you hope for fame and stardom starting with that hairbrush in your hands; like a microphone, while you’re staring in a mirror as a child.
But fame is fleeting. You just have to know that it is. I, like many artists, have wished to have longevity throughout my career…to remain relevant in changing times. But sometimes people can’t relate to you right away, and therein lay the struggle. You begin to take it personally, you blame yourself or everyone but yourself for your lack of success, but in the end you are left alone to contemplate that you chose this difficult life.
You can’t control the market and their taste in music at any given time. You are at the whim of fashion. The ups and downs in this industry have caused me a lot of pain and agony about my self-worth. Still, I was taught to persevere through trying times. So I have sucked it up and taken the hits…one…by one…by one. This includes my weight and health issues, surgeries, and helping my mother through her cancer. None of which were insurmountable, but all costly endeavors, that tested my Faith, and challenged me personally.
But I’m still standing. I’m still singing. I regrouped and grounded myself back home here in Southeast Missouri; seeking the life of service to the community I’ve always wanted, even before the music struck me. But then it hit me…music is a service in itself and can be used to inspire people in seemingly dire times. In all honesty, and with a humble heart, I need to tell you that I am still fighting for my dreams despite the confetti or the money won. The fight has not ended.
I am not a rock star like Kenny Rogers or Pavarotti, two men who inspired me greatly. I am not a millionaire. I get by just like everyone else. I put my extra large pants on one leg at a time. I have saved enough to make a comfortable life for my mother and family. I’ve invested. After all, I am an entrepreneur. I’ve learned that money can be fleeting especially when you can’t find work because of the economy. It all but shut down many of the theatres I could have performed in, and in doing so, shut down the first phase of my singing career.
But now I’m starting fresh. No major recording label and no major producers. It’s just a team of people who believe in my talent, and know how to bring the music to life. An actual recording label can come with many strings attached. You can lose the ability to choose your own songs, and how you sing them. I have been shot down for a Christmas record by labels in years past…it wasn’t going to happen again.
“My Christmas Wish” was a brainstorm among family and friends, and a vow to my mother that she would live to hear me sing an album like Bing Crosby did in the 1950s and 1960s. It was that simple of an idea…and how that idea has grown! So after I invested what I could, instead of going to a label, I went back to my family, friends and fans for support on Indiegogo, The Voice of Missouri, and Kickstarter. I knew if everyone wanted the album made, then it would be. The rest I’ve left in God’s hands.
Neal E. Boyd
Written By Jill Temples
SMT Writer
Bloomfield, Missouri- The Boat House Wine Co. in Bloomfield, MO will be hosting a concert benefiting 18 Fore Life and the Stoddard County Children’s Home on Saturday, September 7th. The Buzz, Brice Long, and Josh Pruno will all be performing for the benefit.
The Buzz is local band featuring BobbiKay Parker, Scott Kruse, Kip Musgrave, and John Steward. The band is known around the area for bringing back the rock of the 70s and 80s.
Josh Pruno is a Crystal City native that has become a country singer. Pruno has performed at the Hard Rock Café in Nashville, TN and at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. He is signed with LMG in Nashville that is associated with Tracy Lawrence. Josh has also released his first single album, 23rd Psalms. For a preview of Josh Pruno visit his website at http://joshpruno.com/home.
Brice Long is a country singer from Kentucky that has written many songs for some of country’s famous artist. These artists include: Reba McEntire, Gary Allan, Laura Bell Bundy, Craig Campbell, Casey James, Randy Houser, John Michael Montgomery, Randy Travis, and Josh Turner. Long has worked for Starstruck Entertainment and Columbia Records. For a preview of Brice Long, visit his Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/bricelongmusic
A special thanks to all the sponsors: The Fowl Life, Banded Foundation, Legacy Club, Sterling Bank, and Clear 94!
Tickets will be $10. The Buzz will begin at 4:00 p.m. with Josh Pruno starting at 5:30 p.m. and Brice Long will follow. Come out and enjoy the sounds of great country and rock music!
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri - The staff at Central Gardens held an Appreciation Ice Cream Social for the volunteers who dedicate their time to the residents each and every day.
Volunteers are an integral part of Central Gardens, not only for the residents, but for the volunteers themselves. The residents receive extra one-on-one attention as the volunteers visit with them and do different activities.
Central Gardens benefits also by gaining what may seem like an extra staff member, and the volunteer is rewarded by the smiles on their new found friend’s faces.
Stacy Blocker, administrator for Central Gardens, says volunteers tend to become an extended family to the residents. “They look forward to them coming to visit."
The staff, residents and families would like to thank all of the volunteers for your dedication and devotion of your time!
Skeet Shoot, BBQ and Music - A Great Way of Living
an SMT Reader.
The day started early as Bruce Christian brought his new Treagar Grill to Legacy Headquarters West of Dexter. Bruce and Jason Comfort were on hand to get the whole hog on the grill by 6:00 AM.
"It was a great day," commented Matt Mills. "We had about sixty people on hand from a little bit of everywhere around here."
The event is a pilgrimage of sort as people from as far away as Columbia, Missouri and Memphis, Tennessee come to take part. The guest list will range from a large group of locals, to college friends to family.
It's only a one day affair, but you can bet that it's worth every second spent in preparation and travel. As of Sunday morning, these guys will be out of the bed and into the area fields in hopes of bagging a limit of dove.
In theory, the idea of most attendees is to sharpen their shooting eye, or at least that is the story that most tell those who don't want to attend. But in reality, the camaraderie and friendship is the true reason for the groups' devotion.More advanced this year, the skeet shoot incorporated a little automation with a mechanical skeet thrower. It was used to test their skills. Kip Smith, a marksman and avid duck hunter himself, was on hand to help keep the skeet in the air.
Shooters lined up on the levee to take their turn to prove their shooting skills and accuracy. In the end, Todd Brown proved to be the 2013 Sharpshooter of the group. The 2012 winner, Eric Parris was on hand to award him the traditional WWF winner belt, a previous purchase from a past 18 Fore Life silent auction.
The evening was filled with many stories and laughter of all that had gone on during the year. The group gathered up for an evening meal of BBQ Whole Hog, BBQ Ribs and all the trimmings.
"I'm full as a tick" is often the comment following the great meal but nothing puts the finishing touches on a great day like the guitar sounds of Theron Woods and Nick Beomler. The two recording artist passed the guitar between one another to create sounds to listen, sing along and simply enjoy the wrap up of a great day.
Best wishes to everyone for a safe and happy 2013 hunting season. May the good times continue to roll and the memories mount up.
